Cinderella and the Duke 

by Lydia Drake

My rating: 3/5 stars 

My Review:

This book was such a delight! 

First off I loved how animated and lively both of the characters were. Gregory was impossibly charming an funny in the most outlandish and over the top way and I was HERE FOR IT. Not to mention I loved how sassy and determined Emily was and how she didn’t let Gregory push her around. They’re chemistry was *chefs kiss* and I loved how they both *refused* to get attached to one another even though they were both clearly smitten with one another.

The plot was a little fast paced in the beginning – border line on insta love, but I honestly didn’t mind it because the time was took later on in the book for the two to get to know each other and have their relationship grow.

I loved the witty verbal banter in this book and how the two of them where constantly at one another throats (I am HERE for the pure TENSION this book was giving me). 

Overall this was a delightful historical romance that I quite enjoyed (not to mention the cover is LOVELY) and I’m excited to read more from this author!!!!

3 stars

*A huge thank you to AMARA publishing for providing an ARC for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*

What do you guys think? Adding this one to your TBR? Have any historical romance recs? LMK in the comments below!

The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden

by Jessica Sorensen 

Rating: 5/5 stars

 

My Review: 

Ahhhhh this book!!!! THIS. BOOK. It is a gem y’all: A. GEM. This book is like biting into a warm soft cookie fresh from the oven, soft, delicious, and incredibly ADDICTING.

This plot gripped me from page one and I could not get my butt off the couch for the life of me. 

“In the existence of our lives, there is a single coincidence that brings us together and for a moment, our hearts beat as one.”

I loved how broken and raw both of these character were and how achingly tender their pasts shaped their hearts. Callie struggles with anxiety and has trouble putting herself out there in social settings. I loved how vulnerable and honest she was and how she was able to let Kayden see sides of herself she kept tucked behind cement walls.

“It’s amazing how the things you remember forever are the things you’d rather forget and the things you desperately want to grasp onto seem to slip away like sand in the wind.”

I also ADORED Kayden.  

I loved how he was there for her even before he let himself admit that she was seeping through his walls. Before he let himself admit what he couldn’t even bring himself to himself. The two of them crashed into one another worlds in the most intoxicating way and I loved how real and authentic each characters voice felt. Kayden comes from an abusive household hidden by well crafted lies and excuses artistically designed around hiding injuries by claiming them to be “sports related” and Callie struggles with an event from her past that has the power to shatter her. 

“I can do pain. That’s the easy part of life. It’s everything else, happiness, laughter, love, that’s fucking complicated.”

Both Callie and Kayden had to build walls to survive. Had to build defenses to protect themselves from their past and from the feels that threatened to break them. They way they both understood one anothers twisted coping mechanisms and respected each others need for defenses made me absorb this book at an unreasonable speed. The romance in this was just so so so good and I loved every second of it.

“No. I just never wanted to throw them away. Even if they were broken. I still loved them.”

I also loved Seth – Callies best friend (he’s so funny I was laughing my butt off) and I also adored Luke who was also a really good friend to Kayden *heart eyes*. 

Overall this was an addicting mess of goodness and that CLIFF HANGER ENDING WAS NOT FAIR TO MY NERVES (I may or or may not have already ordered the second book….). 

Not to mention the plot was incredibly easy to follow and I devoured it at an unhealthy (slightly insane) pace that you will understand if you read this book. So good – highly recommend if your looking for an addicting romance with an easy to follow plot line and characters you will undoubtedly get attached to!!!!

 

5 stars

So what are your thoughts? Have you read this book before? Thinking about adding it to your TBR? LMK in the comments below!

• BubblyBooks

Hola my bookish reading lovelies 🙂 How are we doing today? How did your reading go last month? I must say last month was a whirlwind and I simply cannot believe it is over *pauses in shock* November is here and has officially hit us like a semi truck in a snow storm (where is the time going and can I get it back please and thank you).

That being said I miraculously did some reading last month?!? and by reading I mean I couldn’t get my butt off the couch because the books were so dang GOOD last month *claps* 

On to the bookish rants:

What I read last month: 

Susana and the Scot by Sabrina York – 4 stars –

This was a really fun and unique highlander romance! I loved the banter and how flipping FUNNY this book was. The characters were great and I loved the family aspect in this book (Susannas daughter/relationship with her daughter was so funny and charming I loved it 🙂 ) This was the first book I ever read from this author and I’m intrigued and want to read more from her. 

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalo – 5 stars –

THIS BOOK. THIS BOOK. Omg y’all this was just the fantasy I needed to get out of my book slump and back on board with YA fantasy. I had been doubting my love for the genre – but no more. This book was everything I thought it was going to be and MORE. I loved Wrath – and the slow burn TENSION in this book *chefs kiss* I needed more. Not to mention the Italian feel of the setting and the in detailed description of all the food they were cooking?!? Yes give me more please. SO good!

Barbarian Lover by Ruby Dixon – 4 stars –

This is my favorite in the series so far! I loved how tender the characters where towards one another in the book and how they took care of each other. I also loved how patient and good at listening to each others needs they were. These books just have such a unique plot and atmosphere to them I cant wait to read more 🙂 

Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalo – 5 stars – 

AHHHH if I loved the first book the second book BLEW ME AWAY. This almost felt like a completely different book to me then the first book in the best way – and I loved every second of it. I’m not going to say too much because of – spoilers – but the romance in this book is ahhhhh so. freakin. good. Plus that cliff hanger ending?!? I am deceased. 

Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalo – 4 stars – 

Sadly the last book in the series ended up disappointing me a tad. The plot just felt a little all over the place and I had whiplash from how many twists and turns they’re were (a lot of which I felt added some unnecessary sparkle to an already glittering book). The little romance bits thrown in here were what saved it for me and I liked the ending as well. Overall a solid series I really enjoyed reading. 

King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St.clair – 4 stars – 

This was like candy for me. Was it predictable – yes. Did I see most of the plot coming from a mile away – also yes. Did I love the book always – hell yes. This was everything I could of asked from a fantasy series and more – I loved Scarlett St.Clairs Hades and Persephone series and I can’t wait to see where this one goes in the sequel. Great read!

A Notorious Vow by Joanna Shupe – 4 stars –

AHHHH this book was like biting into a soft brownie!!! I loved it and devoured every morsel. I loved how we got to see their relationship grow and thought it was endlessly fascinating how Oliver was deaf and they had to learn to communicate in a different way. They were just so patient with one another and I loved how Oliver was there for her just like she was there for them. Such a sweet romance with so many cute scenes – I loved it!

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas – 5 stars –

AHHHH THE ENDING OF THE BOOK I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. There that it all. That is the review. 

Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt – 4 stars – 

This book is hands down one of the most unique historical romances I have ever read. Half of the time I couldn’t decide if I like it or if it was too much for me – but in the end I ended up really enjoying it. Val is an extremely eccentric duke but I love how the romance unfolded in the most unorthodox passionate way. It was like I didn’t want to watch but I couldn’t turn away. Really interesting plot line and I cant wait to read more from Elizabeth Hoyt. 

What I watched:

Once upon a Time (Season 1 – rewatch) –

I just started rewatching this show (its been a fat minute) and I’m enjoying the dark fantasy borderline creepy plot line. Plus I love how snow white and prince charming plot line is unfolding – I’m INVESTED.

The Originals (Season 1) – 

I’m also rewatching this show for the millionth time. I can never get enough 😉

Hocus Pocus 2 –

Me and the family watched this around Halloween and it was really cute! 

 

Drop some show recs in the comments below! I need more shows to watch!!

 

Other life happenings:

• I got a new job!!! Its just as a seasonal jewelry sales associate but I’m really loving it so far (plus more money for books ;))
• I also signed up for That Artsy Readers #TBTBSanta and cant wait to start buying books/goodies for the exchange. Buying gifts is my weakness and my debit card is not prepared lol
• I’ve finally been able to make some more time for penpaling and am happy to say I’ve finally caught up with the huge pile of letters taking up space in my office lol. Heres to hoping we can keep this productive streak going *fingers crossed* 
• I’m also hoping to be able to foster some kittens and/or dogs this fall and successfully started foster care training a few weeks ago. I just need to get the rest of my family on board and then hopefully we’ll be able to start *thumbs up*

 

Thats all for now!!! Read any of the books above? Have any on your TBR? Read any good books? LMK in the comments below! 

-BubblyBooks