BLOG TOUR: The Good Ones Are Taken by Taj McCoy

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Good Ones Are Taken by Taj McCoy! I received a free electronic copy from the publisher for an honest review. Thanks so much to MIRA and Taj McCoy for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: The Good Ones Are Taken

Author: Taj McCoy

Published by: MIRA

Released: April 23, 2024

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: When Maggie's best friend admits he's in love with her, she'll have to decide whether it's worth giving up something good for something that could be amazing in this laugh-out-loud friends-to-lovers rom-com.

After a bad breakup, Maggie wants to find her Prince Charming, but all she’s finding are frogs. When her best friends, Savvy and Joan, apply pressure and demand she find a date worthy of attending their respective weddings, she agrees to take her own advice and try online dating. Since she's the maid of honor for both weddings, her bridal party duties are massive, but both brides insist that Maggie prioritize finding a date. After an onslaught of maybes, noes, and hell noes, she’s close to giving up, when she meets a handsome doctor at the gym who just might be the one.

Meanwhile, her college bestie, Garrett, throws salt in everyone’s game. At every turn, he points out the red flags and tells Maggie to keep looking. Things come to a head when Maggie demands that Garrett be happy for her, and he finally admits that he can’t. Not when he’s not with her. When he blurts out his feelings, Maggie’s world is turned upside down. Now she must choose between the perfect guy and a friendship that is the foundation for everything she’s ever wanted. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: This was cute and I really enjoyed it. I'm always game for a romance. Maggie had some hard decisions to make in this one. If you are a fan of the love triangle trope and friends to lovers, then this one is definitely for you!

Maggie has some great friends, they might have been one of the best parts of the story, but they definitely put some pressure on her to find a date. I really liked Maggie's journey in this. I won't say that I always agreed with everything she did, but I was always interested in what was going to happen for her next. 

I can see a lot of people enjoying this one. If you're craving a cute romance, I'd say read it.

 

Oakland-born law grad Taj McCoy is committed to championing stories that include Black and multiracial women of color, plus-size protagonists, Black love, Black joy, and strong senses of sisterhood and familial bonds. Taj started writing as a small child, enjoying her first publications in elementary school. When she's not writing, Taj may be on Twitter boosting other marginalized writers, practicing yoga, sharing recipes, or cooking private supper club meals for close friends.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Good Ones Are Taken by Taj McCoy! Thank you to MIRA and Taj McCoy for letting me be a part of the tour. If you're looking for something cute to read, you should definitely add this one to your list!

BLOG TOUR: The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox! I received a free electronic copy for review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Graydon House and Hester Fox for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: The Book of Thorns

Author: Hester Fox

Published by: Graydon House

Released: April 2, 2024

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by the Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: In the midst of the Napoleonic Wars and the rise of the floriography craze in Europe, two sisters separated at birth are bound together by a secret language of flowers passed down to them by the mother they never knew. When Cornelia leaves her cruel uncle’s home to join Napoleon’s army as a traveling naturalist, her ability to heal any wound and bring soldiers back from the brink of death earns her praise from higher-ups—and exposes her to those who would exploit her powers for themselves.

Meanwhile, Lijsbeth lives in indentured servitude, her only respite her time spent flower arranging. When she meets a young English soldier and falls in love, Lisjbeth must decide whether to flee the clashing of two great armies at Waterloo or risk everything by staying. As the English and French armies collide in Waterloo, the sisters finally cross paths on opposite sides of the war.

With the sisters reunited on the battlefield, they must work together to solve the mystery of their mother’s death and their father’s disappearance, all while surviving the war raging around them. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: The very first thing that drew me to this book was the pretty cover. It got me. The synopsis also sounded interesting, so I added it to my reading list.

Books involving war can be hit or miss for me. I'd not read much about the Napoleonic Wars though, so that was interesting.

I enjoyed the story of the two sisters who were separated at birth. I liked seeing both of their lives apart and eventually together.

I also enjoyed the way that flowers played such a big part in their stories.

I enjoyed reading this story and I could see a lot of other people liking it too.

Hester Fox is a full-time writer and mother, with a background in museum work and historical archaeology. She lives in New England with her husband and their two children.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox! Thank you to Graydon House and Hester Fox for letting me be a part of the tour. If this one sounds interesting to you, you should definitely give it a read.

BLOG TOUR: The Happiness Blueprint by Ally Zetterberg

I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Happiness Blueprint by Ally Zetterberg! I received a free electronic copy for an honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Ally Zetterberg for letting me be a part of this tour!

 

 

Title: The Happiness Blueprint

Author: Ally Zetterberg

Published by: MIRA

Released: April 2, 2024

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: Klara and Alex are having trouble connecting, but at least their calendars are in sync.

Klara—who’s always thought of herself as a little different, a sneaker in a world full of kitten heels and polished boots—is feeling a disconnect these days. She has type 1 diabetes, currently works in a dead-end job, and is in desperate need of a change. When her dad falls ill, Klara begrudgingly agrees to help run his small construction company while he recovers, even though it means moving back home and pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone to the extreme.

Alex has been a shell of himself since his brother died in an accident. He’s unemployed, has bills piling up, and is distant from friends and family. His therapist is encouraging him to keep things manageable by setting up a calendar, checking off tasks each day, and looking for work to help get him back on his feet. When an ad pops up for a carpenter position at a small construction company, he jumps at the chance to take a step forward.

Klara's and Alex’s stories unfold through a series of miscommunications in this clever and witty novel from debut author Ally Zetterberg that’s about finding acceptance and even love in unexpected places. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was cute and I enjoyed it. It deals with some heavy topics, but it makes the characters feel more real for it.

Klara has Type 1 diabetes and some other personality quirks, which can make her feel very different. I enjoyed reading about a character who can struggle with fitting in. I think it's important to celebrate what makes you unique in this world and that it's never something to feel bad about.

Alex is dealing with a lot of grief, which also felt like very important to showcase in a book.

I liked how Klara and Alex helped each other, they were exactly what the other needed.

I also really enjoyed that this story was set in Sweden. The only real books I'd read set in Sweden before had all been books about mystery and murder, so it was nice reading a book about two people coming together.

This is a slower read, but it's definitely worth it.

I really enjoyed this one, and I think a lot of other people would enjoy it too.

 

Ally Zetterberg is a British-Swedish writer. She spent ten years working internationally as a fashion model before turning to writing. Being neurodivergent herself and the mother of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, she is passionate about creating relatable characters and representing those living with medical conditions in her work. She speaks four languages and does her best not to muddle them up.

 

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Happiness Blueprint by Ally Zetterberg! Thank you to MIRA and Ally Zetterberg for letting me be a part of the tour. This is a cute one that should definitely be added to your TBR!