Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 🌈

Another book and another batch of cookies 🍪😏

9/10. To anyone who is unaware: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is absolutely amazing!!🌈

Cath and Wren are twin sisters who have grown up with a shared love of Simon Snow, a magical series they were obsessed with and even began writing fan fiction for. Now, starting their first year of university it seems Cath is the only one still writing, while her sister Wren is moving on in her social world. Cath is a true introvert just like her dad, bordering on social anxiety, and for the first time she is without Wren by her side. In such a scary new setting with new friends, and new (cute) boys, Cath chooses to fall on Simon Snow and her thousands of fans that are waiting for her to finish her fanfic once and for all.

Fangirl was such a unique story that was more about Cath(er)‘s journey and experiences than a love story. But a love story all the same. A romance between her and her characters, a true introvert being forced out of her shell but staying true to herself.

This was like a love letter to all the bookish girls who grew up in the Harry Potter fandom, and if you’re anything like me you will relate so hard to this one. It’s so unlike the standard romance novel formula. I can’t recommend it enough!

Illustrated Cover Stack

Illustrated cover stack 💕🌸 They say to never judge a book by its cover, but I must admit that I do ALL THE TIME. The new trend in romance novels is to steer away from photos of a cheesy couple on the cover and instead showcase an adorable illustration that is more accessible to readers.

I personally gravitate towards these illustrated covers, mainly because I like to picture the characters myself and as soon as there’s a model on the cover, that unfortunately becomes the person I imagine while reading. Plus, who doesn’t love a super cute graphic?! 💕🌸

Do you choose your books by their covers??

Well Met by Jen Deluca

Well Met by Jen Deluca 🌸

This book made me so happy!! ☺️💕 I was a little unsure about the Renaissance festival theme, but I quickly came around. It was such a sweet book and I absolutely loved stickler Simon becoming pirate Simon (I imagined him as Tom Holland). It was nice to have a literary escape into a summer of love and Faire 💕🌸 8/10

Emily comes to small town Willow Creek to help her sister and niece who were just in a terrible car accident. It came at the perfect time, as her boyfriend kicked her to the curb once he landed his dream job. Now she’s signed up to volunteer for the town’s renaissance fair so her niece can participate, but she has to deal with stick in the mud Simon who is running the show and has a real hatred for all things Emily for some strange reason…

Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey

Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey 6.5 / 10

Rosie and Dominic have been married for 10 years and they don’t talk anymore. Where there was once love and devotion is now hate sex and silence. Rosie is sick of being alone in a marriage and decides to leave him. Dom realizes he needs to make Rosie see just how big a part of his world she really is.

I’m giving this one a 6.5/10 because it definitely had some flaws. It is the 21st century so reading about a man who is uncomfortable with his wife spending time with her friends and going out to a bar is not cool. However is it wrong for an author to ever write characters that are old fashioned and caveman-esque ever again? These types of protagonists still exist in real life, and in this case I think the author was at least attempting to show that his controlling ways don’t work. Hence the marriage falling apart at the start leading to his learning how to let her be herself and ultimately they grow together.

I liked their relationship in the end, the steamy scenes were absolutely insane and I enjoyed that the story touched on the topic of love languages (that each of us have our own ways of expressing love). However it was really hard to root for a man that was so unhealthy as a partner for the majority of the plot.

Pucked Up by Helena Hunting

A little French toast and Pucked Up by Helena Hunting 🏒 .

This series is so fun and silly, it’s the perfect distraction from this isolation craziness and the steamy scenes don’t hurt either ;). The setting was awesome too, I love a good camp theme, and northern Muskoka was a great literary location to escape to. When I was reading this one I pictured Auston Matthews as Miller “Buck” Butterson and GiGi Hadid as Sunny “Sunshine” Waters.

Buck may have been interested in Sunny initially just to piss off her brother/his teammate Alex, but very quickly he realized that Sunny was special and was worth becoming a one woman kind of guy. Sunny is granola, an ultra sweet yoga instructor who doesn’t have a bad word to say about anybody. The problem is Buck’s bad reputation and all the puck bunnies he’s bagged over the years has been following him and won’t leave his new relationship alone. Miller is trying to prove to Sunny and himself that he’s worth sticking around for…

I’m giving this one an 8/10, Buck and Sunny weren’t my fave couple of the group (they’re just a little too mushy for me), but the story had some hilarious antics including an unfortunate spider bite situation 🕷😳

This whole series is steamy, hilarious and puts a smile on my face every time, if you haven’t picked up Pucked I would definitely recommend!

Pucked Over by Helena Hunting

Pucked Over by Helena Hunting 🏒

8.5/10 🔥 Yes I may have read this series out of order, but whateverrr 💁‍♀️ Lily and Randy’s story was great to finally get to. I liked how they had similar family struggles and related on a lot levels. One of my favourite themes is when a couple starts out as “nothing serious” or just hooking up, and ultimately fall for each other.

Lily is a hardworking figure skating coach with multiple jobs, living with her mom and saving up to get into a physio program. Randy Ballistic is a pro hockey player who is infamous for his “stick skills” off the ice.. what he’s not known for is settling down with someone. When he starts hooking up with Lily, he’s just a rebound for her 7 year relationship with a sociopath. Soon enough Randy starts to see Lily as more than just a fling, but it’s up to Lily to decide she can trust Randy or if once again she’ll be Pucked Over…

Spring Reading 🌸

Spring is here!

I’m feeling all the fresh new season vibes, and my amazing aunt bought me this gorgeous bouquet to celebrate the new changes in my life (I got a new job!)💕🌸

*Trigger warning*

While Spring normally brings a sense of calm after the winter dreariness, the past few weeks have been quite scary with the rise and spread of Covid-19. Once again the world of book blogging has been a safe haven for me. With the media tirelessly covering this topic it is extremely hard to escape, and between book blogs and bookstagram I can take some time to unplug for a little while and enjoy some beautiful book pics.

I’m trying to stay positive in a very grim time, even with social distancing, fear and panic all around me, so I’m looking for a fresh new romance recommendation! Nothing puts my mind at ease like a little literary escape into an always happy ending.

My TBR has been dwindling and I’m not sure what’s next. Any romantic reads you would recommend??

Women’s History Month 💕

Happy Women’s History Month! To all the amazing women in my life, thank you. With International Women’s Day this past weekend, this time is all about equality, change and appreciation. In honour of the celebration I thought I’d share a post for She-ology by Sherry A. Ross, a fascinating read that focuses on vaginal health, sharing some truths that I think every woman should know. Dr.Sherry is Reese Witherspoon’s OBGYN and she has a complete digital library online of vaginas with every condition so that readers and patients can understand how each condition appears, while also normalizing how different every vagina is.
Historically, vaginal health has not been researched to the fullest extent, unlike male genitalia. Your physical and sexual health is so important!! Educate yourself and those close to you, and put your health first.
I was gifted this amazing book by @medamour1 and I would absolutely recommend giving it a read!

Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren

Sushi Bowls, Smoothies and Scandal. Yum!

Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren is the bomb! 8.5/10 🔥 Hanna has had a crush on her older brothers best friend, Will Sumner, since she was a kid. Now that she’s all grown up Will has been assigned to help her with the dating scene. But Will is starting to see little “Ziggy” aka Hanna in a whole new light.

The STEAM from this one, good lawd 🔥 I wasn’t a big fan of the first in the Beautiful Bastard series but I’m so so glad I gave it another chance with Beautiful Player. Hanna and Will have a great connection and the coming of age trope was done so well. I love that Hanna is smart and confident all on her own even though she’s 7 years his junior, and it’s Will who thinks he doesn’t measure up. Will’s scandalous lines made the sex scenes fun to read and I absolutely love when a total player finally falls for one girl.

Beard Necessities by Penny Reid

 

Beard Necessities by @reidromance ❤️9/10 ❤️ you know the book is good when you read it in a day…

This series is like a warm hug. It reminds me of the feeling I get when I watch Sweet Home Alabama for the 100th time. The Winston family are such a loving bunch and Billy’s story is what the entire series builds towards. The unrequited love of Claire McClure and Billy Winston, a second chance romance for these childhood sweethearts that never seem to get the timing right.

I adored this book, and the entire series, but Billy’s story in particular has such heartbreak that when he and Claire finally have their time it’s so dang satisfying. We finally get to hear the inner workings of the stoic Billy, and his quite scandalous thoughts about Claire. Penny Reid has such a great balance of humour, steam and emotion. This is one series I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. Do yourself a favour and introduce yourself to the Winston’s.