Reading Right Now! (208)

Hello, Hello! It's me, the lazy blogger. I could offer up excuses, but the truth is I've just been really lazy this week. Sometimes I even decided to read instead of type up a blog post *shock*!! But anyway...
What I'm Reading Right Now! is:

Blood of a Thousand Stars (#2) by Rhoda Belleza and I'm almost finished with it. This is the second book in a duology and it is fantastic! I really enjoy this series. As a book pusher, I'm going to highly suggest you guys read it!! It's scifi space book about a soon to be empress who escapes an assassination attempt and goes on the run, and the Wraetan Soldier who has been falsely accused of killing her. The first book (Empress of a Thousand Skies) had a little bit of a Firefly vibe to it. This second book leans more heavily into a Star Wars kind of vibe. It's very good. I'm going to read whatever book Rhoda Belleza comes out with next. This series also has the best covers. Look at it! It's beautiful.

So I'm definitely going to finish this probably today. I've got 50ish pages left.

And then I would like to start

 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides and Happily and Madly by Alexis Bass. I won an arc of Happily and Madly in a giveaway and it's kind of calling to me. I've heard the buzz about The Silent Patient and I'm curious about it. So that's my plans at the moment. I'm flighty, so it could change.

And that's what I'm Reading Right Now! What are you Reading?

BLOG TOUR: Two Like Me And You by Chad Alan Gibbs

Hey Everybody! I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Two Like Me And You by Chad Alan Gibbs. As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I had to give this one a read. I was provided with a free copy for honest review. Thanks so much to Chad Alan Gibbs and Xpresso Tours for including me.

Title: Two Like Me And You

Author: Chad Alan Gibbs

Published by: Borne Back Books

Released: May 20, 2019

Source: Review Copy from Publisher for Blog Tour

Goodreads  Amazon

Synopsis: Edwin Green's ex-girlfriend is famous. We're talking cover-of-every-tabloid-in-the-grocery-store-line famous. She dumped Edwin one year ago on what he refers to as Black Saturday, and in hopes of winning her back, he's spent the last twelve months trying to become famous himself. It hasn't gone well.

But when a history class assignment pairs Edwin with Parker Haddaway, the mysterious new girl at school, she introduces him to Garland Lenox, a nursing-home-bound World War II veteran who will change Edwin's life forever. 

The three escape to France, in search of the old man's long-lost love, and as word of their adventure spreads, they become media darlings. But when things fall apart, they also become the focus of French authorities. In a race against time, who will find love, and who will only find more heartache?  (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: If I had to sum up Two Like Me And You by Chad Alan Gibbs in one word, it would be FUN! This whole book was just a lot of fun to read. I loved the adventure, I loved the predicaments, I loved the characters. It was everything I needed from a book.

This is Chad Alan Gibbs first book, his debut, and I am impressed. I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for what he writes next. Two Like Me And You has gotten some comparisons to John Green's work, and I think that's an accurate assessment.

I really had a great time reading this. It was a whirlwind of a book. Unlikely people being thrown together and embarking on a great adventure that changes them. I can only gush so much before it gets annoying. So, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Thanks for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Two Like Me And You by Chad Alan Gibbs. Thanks so much to the Author, the Publisher, and Xpresso Tours for including me on this fun tour and introducing me to a really fun read.

Reading Right Now! (207)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...
Or let me clarify, these are my Reading Right Now Plans, because I am trash. I mean, you already knew I was trash because I've been bad about my blog this week too. Laziness gets me every time.

This Brilliant Death (#1) by Amy Rose Capetta. I don't know why I did this to myself. You see, this is due back at the library on Saturday. Am I the fastest reader in town? No, I'm more of a medium fast reader, so why did I think I could finish this book in two and a half days?? I don't know. So, we'll see how much I can get done. It might have to go back to the library unfinished, but I'm sure I can always check it out again.

This is an interesting story. It almost has a whimsical, fairytale feel to it. It feels like I'm viewing the character from a distance. It's also going by kind of quickly.

 

Then I would like to read Last Pick (#1) by Jason Walz and Come Again by Nate Powell. These are also due back at the library on Saturday *facepalm*

I think I could have a shot finishing these because they are graphic novels, and graphic novels are quick. So we'll see. 

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! I hope you enjoyed my mini life crisis haha. In my head, I think I can read allllll the books before they are due no problem, and then they come up due, and I haven't. It's a race to read them all and I always lose. Plus I get distracted very easily by Netflix, social media, and whatever else. I'm rambling now. Happy Weekend!! 

Fresh Releases: May 21, 2019

These Releases are Fresh Fresh! Out of the book oven yesterday. Get them while they're hot!!

   

  

Happily and Madly by Alexis Bass. I was lucky enough to win an arc of this from Tor Teen and I can't wait to read it!! The Missing Season by Gillian French. I love a good mystery/thriller, so I can't wait to get my grubby hands on this one. Shadowblade by Anna Kashina, looking good, looking good! The Bone Charmer by Breeana Shields. I actually got this one as the main book in my Unicorn Crate. I hadn't heard much about it, but I'm really excited to read it. Kingsbane by Claire Legrand. I want it. Keep This To Yourself by Tom Ryan. Yes!! The Exalted by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson. I love the cover. The Living God by Kaytalin Platt. Looks interesting. We Are the Perfect Girl by Ariel Kaplan. It looks cute. Girl Gone Viral by Arvin Ahmadi. This looks fun.

And that's my Fresh Fresh Releases for this week. I know I missed some, I always do. Buuut there's a lot of good books out and I want to read them all!! Where's my time turner, time freezer?       

Review: Borderline (The Arcadia Project #1) by Mishell Baker

Title: Borderline (The Arcadia Project #1)

Author: Mishell Baker

Published by: Saga Press

Released: 2016

Source: Library

Synopsis: A year ago Millie lost her legs and her filmmaking career in a failed suicide attempt. Just when she's sure the credits have rolled on her life story, she gets a second chance with the Arcadia Project: a secret organization that polices the traffic to and from a parallel reality filled with creatures straight out of myth and fairy tales.

For her first assignment, Millie is tasked with tracking down a missing movie star, who also happens to be a nobleman of the Seelie Court. To find him, she'll have to smooth talk Hollywood power players and uncover the surreal and sometimes terrifying truth behind the glamour of Tinseltown. But stronger forces than just her inner demons are sabotaging her progress, and if she fails to unravel the conspiracy behind the noble's disappearance, not only will she be out on the streets, but the shattering of a centuries-old peace could spark an all-out war between worlds.

No pressure. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I really liked it, but at the same time, I was confused by it. The writing style really pulled me in. It was so addictive. 

I liked the main character Millie, but at the same time, I didn't like the things she did. She has Borderline Personality Disorder, which means she has the tendency to behave erratically and make some horrible choices. Some of the things she says...yikes. She's also very much a lone wolf, and I wished she would have done more with her team instead. I really enjoyed when it was her and Teo investigating the cafe in the beginning, and I wanted more of that. Millie is also an amputee after a failed suicide attempt, which makes her even more interesting. She lost both of her legs. She's independent, but sometimes she needs help from others.

I found the overall world kind of confusing and not really explained. We were thrown into the world just like Millie was. It reminded me of being on a wooden roller coaster - being jerked this way and that. I wish the world had been built up and explained a little clearer.

I really liked this. I'm excited to read the sequel and see what happens next. It was a surprise of a book because it gave me something that I wasn't expecting.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

Feytastic!

Reading Right Now! (206)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...
I'm trying to do this thing where I read more than one book at once aannnnd it's working okay-ish. I'm reading two books at the same time in 50 page increments. I don't know how some readers do this successfully. I don't think I'm failing at it, but I don't think I'm winning at it either. Anyway...

 

A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy (The Salvagers #2) by Alex White -- I'm enjoying this. I will say so far, it has a very second book feel. It seems like they are doing these random missions in the galaxy and I kind of tend to forget why. I wish this book had included a bit of a recap from the first one, because I'm really having trouble remembering the bad people plot. I mean, I'm liking it. It's fine.

Friend Request by Laura Marshall -- I'm liking this one. It's about a woman who gets a friend request from a dead girl. She has a past with this girl, secrets that she's kept hidden. It's a really engaging read. It has a lot to do with bullying, that urge to fit in with the cool kids even though you know they are not what is best for you. I'm interested to see where this story goes.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! I'm a little over halfway in both of them. I decided to pick two completely different genres to read at the same time so I wouldn't confuse myself with similar stories and worlds. I'm not hating my time trying to read multiple books at once, but I wouldn't say that it's making me read faster either. I don't know. I'm still on the fence about this whole experiment.

Review: All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells

Title: All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1)

Author: Martha Wells

Published by: Tor

Released: 2017

Source: Library

Synopsis: In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.

But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.
On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.

But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: The hype was not wrong and I am pleased. I really enjoyed All Systems Red. Murderbot is essentially an anti-social robot hybrid that likes to binge watch television shows, I really connected with it. Murderbot has been created to guard crews and scientific expeditions on different planets by an entity called The Company. The Company is kind of cheap when it comes to the quality of the products they supply. Their fee isn't cheap, but they don't deliver top-notch supplies. Murderbot knows this.

Murderbot has also disabled its Governor Module which means it's not like the other Sec Units. Murderbot has control of its own actions, but this secret can't get out.

Murderbot surprised me. It had character. Most times, I didn't think of it as a robot hybrid, but instead a flesh and blood human. I'm still a little confused as to what Murderbot actually is components wise. I don't know how to categorize Murderbot in my mind. I want to call it a she, but I don't know. It was a lot of fun following Murderbot. Murderbot is the main character in this story. I honestly have a hard time remembering the human crew, or even how many of them there were.

All Systems Red was such a quick, little book. I flew through it. It's a novella and they always tend to leave me a little wanting. Just when I'm really getting into the story, or really attached, it's over. I feel a sense of loss. I wish I had more of it.

I really enjoyed the action in this, the mystery. It was very dangerous and exciting.

It just went by too quick. I blinked and it was over. The ending left me on a note of wanting more. I need to know what happens next with Murderbot. I'm definitely going to read the other books in the series because I need to know things. I'd definitely recommend All Systems Red.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4.3/5

Murderbot is my Spirit Animal

Fresh Releases: May 14, 2019

These Releases are Fresh Fresh Baby.

 

 

We Hunt the Flame (#1) by Hafsah Faizal which I'm pretty sure is going to be the Owlcrate May Box pick, if I'm reading the clues right. I'm excited to read it. And if it is the Owlcrate Book, I can't wait to see the exclusive cover they give it. There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon. Looks cute! Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. I've been hearing a lot of hype for this one. The Night Before by Wendy Walker. I read one of her books last year and enjoyed it, so I'm excited to see what this one brings.

That's it for my Fresh Fresh Releases. I know I missed some, I always do. What books are you excited for?   

Reading Right Now! (205)

What I'm Reading Right Now! is...

All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells and I've only got a couple of pages left. It's a novella, so it's a really fast read. I really am enjoying it. I get the hype. I'm going to have to go to my library and get the rest of the books in the series. Basically, it's an anti-social robot who likes to binge watch tv shows, and then a job she's on goes bad. She's got to protect the humans, even though she doesn't really like being around them. It's good.

And then I'd like to start

A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy (The Salvagers #2) by Alex White apparently, I'm really in the space type mood. I read the first book a little while ago, can't remember exactly when, but I thought it was decent and want to continue on with the series.

So that's what I'm Reading Right Now! and my Reading Plans for my future. What are you reading? Anything good? Anything I should most definitely read?

BLOG TOUR: The East End by Jason Allen

I'm really excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The East End by Jason Allen. I was provided with a free copy for honest review. Thank you so much to the Publisher (Park Row Books) and Jason Allen for letting me be a part of this fun tour!

Title: The East End

Author: Jason Allen

Published by: Park Row

Released: May 7, 2019

Source: Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads  Harlequin  Amazon  Barnes & Noble  Books-A-Million  Powells

Synopsis: THE EAST END is an atmospheric debut novel of family secrets and scandal, of love and heartbreak, of working class struggle versus the privileges of the super wealthy, all set in a place whose incredible beauty means both pleasure and pain – a place where people will die for love, kill for truth, and dream of escaping forever.

THE EAST END opens with Corey Halpern, a Hamptons local from a broken home who breaks into mansions at night for kicks. He likes the rush and admittedly, the escapism. One night just before Memorial Day weekend, he breaks into the wrong home at the wrong time: the Sheffield estate where he and his mother work. Under the cover of darkness, their boss Leo Sheffield -- billionaire CEO, patriarch, and owner of the vast lakeside manor -- arrives unexpectedly with his lover, Henry. After a shocking poolside accident leaves Henry dead, everything depends on Leo burying the truth. But unfortunately for him, Corey saw what happened and there are other eyes in the shadows.

Hordes of family and guests are coming to the estate the next morning, including Leo's surly wife, all expecting a lavish vacation weekend of poolside drinks, evening parties, and fireworks filling the sky. No one can know there’s a dead man in the woods, and there is no one Leo can turn to. With his very life on the line, everything will come down to a split-second decision. For all of the main players—Leo, Gina, and Corey alike—time is ticking down, and the world they’ve known is set to explode.

Told through multiple points of view, THE EAST END highlights the socio-economic divide in the Hamptons, but also how the basic human need for connection and trust can transcend class differences. Secrecy, obsession, and desperation dictate each character’s path. In a race against time, each critical moment holds life in the balance as Corey, Gina, and Leo approach a common breaking point. THE EAST END is a propulsive read, rich with character and atmosphere, and marks the emergence of a talented new voice in fiction. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: Thank you to Park Row Books for including me on this fun tour and providing me with a free copy of The East End for honest review. All I have to say is Wowza! What a read! The East End is the perfect book to binge over your summer vacation at the beach, at the pool, on an epic road trip, or anywhere else you happen to be. It's next to impossible to quit reading it. I was sucked right in to the story. It had a breakneck kind of speed to it. Once I started, I just had to finish it. It kept me on my toes, biting my nails, and wondering just what was going to happen next.

I really enjoyed the writing of this. Jason Allen is an author to watch.

I also liked how it took place in the Hamptons and showcased the divide between the rich who come for the summer, and the everyday people who call it home.

I'm really glad I got a chance to read it and I would definitely recommend it. You won't be able to put it down.

Meet the Author

Jason Allen

Website  Twitter  Facebook  Goodreads

Jason Allen grew up in a working-class home in the Hamptons, where he worked a variety of blue-collar jobs for wealthy estate owners. He writes fiction, poetry, and memoir, and is the author of the poetry collection A MEDITATION ON FIRE. He has an MFA from Pacific University and a PhD in literature and creative writing from Binghamton University, and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where he teaches writing. THE EAST END is his first novel.

Look Out for the Book Tour!!

Thanks so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for The East End by Jason Allen. I had a lot of fun reading this book. Thanks so much to Park Row Books and Jason Allen for letting me be a part of the tour.

Fresh Releases: May 7, 2019

These Releases are Fresh Fresh!
What a day for New Releases. I know I don't have all of them, but there's a lot!

  

  

  

  

Broken Throne by Victoria Aveyard. Dark Shores by Danielle L. Jensen. Nocturna by Maya Motayne. Finale by Stephanie Garber. Romanov by Nadine Brandes. Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. Again, but Better by Christine Riccio. Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins. Middlegame by Seanan McGuire. With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo. The Guest Book by Sarah Blake. 8 Souls by Rachel Rust. Prom-Wrecked by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni. 

And that's all the Fresh Fresh Releases I've got for this week. What are you excited about reading? Did you pick up any of these New Releases?

     

BLOG TOUR: 8 Souls by Rachel Rust

I'm really excited to be on the Blog Tour for 8 Souls by Rachel Rust. I knew I wanted to read it as soon as I saw this cover and read the synopsis. I received a free copy for honest review. Thanks so much to Entangled Teen, Rachel Rust, and Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours for including me in this spoooooky tour.

Title: 8 Souls

Author: Rachel Rust

Published by: Entangled Teen 

Released: May 6, 2019

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads  Amazon  Barnes & Noble  iBooks  Kobo

Synopsis: All her life, seventeen-year-old Chessie has had recurring dreams about a little white farmhouse. Quaint? Not quite. The house is the site of the unsolved murders of Villisca, Iowa, where eight people were slaughtered in 1912. With her parents on the verge of divorce, Chessie is stuck spending the summer with her grandparents in Villisca—right across the street from the axe murder house. 

She’s soon hearing voices calling out for help and begins unraveling a link between herself and the town’s bloody history. And when she falls for a cute boy harboring a big secret, the pieces fall into place as she at last discovers the truth of Villisca's gruesome past… (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I love books like this! 8 Souls called to my horror loving heart. It was everything I hoped for when I saw the cover and read the synopsis. I had a lot of fun reading 8 Souls. It had that creepy vibe to it that I just loved. I really enjoyed the setting, the backstory, the backdrop of a place tainted by tragedy. I love reading stories like that. I get to live vicariously through a brave character who does things that I would never dream of doing because I'm a big chicken.

I really liked the writing in 8 Souls, it pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. I had to find out what was going on, what the secret of Villisca was.

I thought the romantic aspect to it was a lot of fun too. Most times books are better when they have a little romance.

I did not see that ending coming! What a twist! I really enjoyed it.

8 Souls was a win for me! If creepy and scary are your thing, I'd definitely recommend 8 Souls. I can't wait to see what Rachel Rust comes out with next.

Meet the Author

Rachel Rust

Website  Twitter  Goodreads

Rachel Rust is a YA author who loves all things mysterious, romantic, and thrilling. Her favorite stories have twisty plots, and if it's a whodunit, she's all about it. When not making up stories, Rachel can usually be found with her family and their two dogs -- a pug and a chug (chihuahua/pug).

Thank you so much for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop of 8 Souls by Rachel Rust. I had a scary good time being on this Tour. Be sure to check out and enter the giveaway below. Thanks so much to Entangled Teen, Rachel Rust, and Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours for including me.

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BLOG TOUR: Prom-Wrecked by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni

Welcome to Prom! I'm super excited, delighted, and happy to be a part of the Blog Tour for Prom-Wrecked by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni. I received a review copy from the publisher for honest review. Thanks so much to Entangled Teen, Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours, and the Authors for letting me be a part of this fun tour.

Title: Prom-Wrecked

Authors: T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni 

Published by: Entangled Teen

Released: May 6, 2019

Source: Early Review Copy from Publisher

Goodreads  Amazon  Barnes&Noble  iBooks  Kobo

Synopsis: Their prom night ended in a jail cell with forty of their closest friends. But that’s hardly the worst thing that happened to them…

When the principal announces prom is canceled this year, senior Riley Hart is determined to save it. Armed with little more than her own enthusiasm, she ends up working closely with Owen Locklear, who is more than completely off-limits. Because he’s the boyfriend of her ex-BFF, Catherine Reed. Still, Owen knows Riley better than almost anyone, and his charming ideas for turning the prom upside-down and backward win Riley over.

Then they lose their deposit. Twice. And book a band full of octogenarians. And don’t even get her started on the act of God that takes down their venue...

Riley will have an unforgettable teenage experience, damn it, if it’s the last thing she does… (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: What a fun read! I enjoyed every minute of it. It was cute, it was funny, and it captured that magical essence that is Prom.

To be completely honest with you, when I was in high school, I really didn't care about prom. I went once just to say that I went. You know, High School right of passage is going to Prom. I'm not a good dancer, I didn't have a high school sweetheart to go with, I hate wearing dresses and heels. Prom was full of things that I just don't enjoy, but I did go with a bunch of friends, and I had fun. I don't even remember what the theme was for my Prom. But enough about me, this book was such a blast and it really did capture that magical feeling of Prom. I mean, maybe if I'd have gone to this Prom, I would have had great memories.

Prom-Wrecked is one of those books that is just a lot of fun to read. It's very quick, it introduces all kinds of ridiculous, laugh-out-loud situations, and it just makes you feel good.

I really enjoyed the writing in this. This author duo made for a great team. I liked the two perspectives we got to read from.

If you want to have fun, read Prom-Wrecked! It's a good time.

Meet The Authors:

Jennifer DiGiovanni writes light fantasy and contemporary fiction for teens. You can find out more about her books by visiting www.jenniferdigiovanni.com or following her on Instagram or Twitter @jendwrites.

Website  Twitter  Goodreads

T.H. Hernandez is a young adult author of six novels, spanning the contemporary, post-global warming/dystopian, and urban scifi genres. She lives in San Diego, California with her husband, three kids, and a zoo-worthy collection of animals. Her latest release, PROM-WRECKED, was co-written with Jennifer DiGiovanni and releases May 2019 from Entangled Teen.

Website  Twitter  Facebook  Goodreads

Thank you for stopping by my Blog Tour Stop for Prom-Wrecked by T.H. Hernandez and Jennifer DiGiovanni. Be sure to check out the giveaway below. Thanks to Entangled Teen, Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours, and the Authors for having me on this fun tour!

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