Waiting On Wednesday ... King Of Scars

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is King Of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

**Spoilers for all of Leigh's previous books**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

After reading the Grisha Verse series I immediately wanted Nikolai to have his own series. He was such a scene stealer that I am confident I wasn't the only reader feeling this way. Luckily, Leigh Bardugo has answered our prayers and is giving everyone's favourite king a series of his own. The fact that another fan favourite from the Six Of Crows series also makes an appearance is just icing on an already delicious sounding cake.

The wait for this isn't too bad and it allows those who haven't read the previous books to catch up. It also will make a perfect gift card purchase after the holiday season!

Expected release date - January 29, 2019

Heartthrob by Belinda Williams

Heartthrob by Belinda Williams
Release Date - November 10, 2016
Publisher Website - BWrite

Pages -  346 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Ally Valenti doesn’t belong in Hollywood. Not like her friend and actress, Lena Lyons. Lena’s convinced Ally to pursue her dreams of fashion design, starting with some gowns for the awards season.

Which Ally will get around to creating as soon as she can stop looking at Jacob Swan, Lena’s latest co-star. Not that she’s staring. Ally’s skeptical of anything celebrity and it’s not like she’d be pathetic enough to fall for a Hollywood heartthrob.

Then Ally learns there’s more to Jacob than his good guy, all-American persona. She finds herself torn between the desire to get to know him better and her determination to stay out of the limelight.

Of course the media has other ideas—and someone doesn’t like all the attention Ally’s getting. When threats aimed at destroying her fashion career go too far, Ally’s convinced she’s living in crazy town.

The sensible thing would be to retreat home before it all ends in spectacular fashion. But will Ally be leaving more than her dreams behind if she says goodbye to Hollywood?

This glamorous, fast-paced contemporary romance that will make you smile, is perfect for fans of Rachel Gibson, Victoria Dahl, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Liliana Hart. 

I've been devouring Hollywood set romances as of late and was immediately intrigued by Heartthrob. It's synopsis promised an addictive blend of drama, romance, and mystery which is exactly what it delivered. It's a story of two people who fall in love and discover some truths about themselves along the way.

Ally is a fish out of water. She finds herself out of her element in Hollywood when her friend calls in her hour of need. This aspect of her character makes her incredibly endearing. She's been so sheltered that this almost feels like a coming of age story in a lot of ways. She discovers so much about who she is and gains a lot of confidence as the story progresses. Her journey was one of my favourite parts of the novel. It is relatable and attaches the reader to the story being told.

Food is a large part of this novel. Ally comes from a large Italian family and loves to cook. Her skills are appreciated by those around her and are even used to provide some cute moments between her and Jacob. All of the food being made sounds delicious so be forewarned that you might end up craving a bunch of it while reading. It was a fun little character detail that folded into the story nicely.

This novel circumvented a lot of the story arcs and reveals that I anticipated while reading. There are a few surprising moments between some of the female characters in particular that were a pleasant surprise. There are some genuine moments of women supporting each other, and being there for each other at unexpected times that stood out to me while I was reading. The friendships felt like a large part of the story in a way that is not always the case in romance novels.

The romance in this is paced really well. They tentatively begin to get to know each other, and it progresses naturally from there. It feels a little more plausible that they would fall for each other with the way it is approached. I find Hollywood set romances work better when the love interest is not a fan (although those can be fun). The connection being built feels more authentic if they are around each other for a legitimate reason.

Ally and Jacob are both struggling with their own personal issues. Stories that remember the characters exist outside of the relationship are always my favourite and this novel really dives into the characters. They are both fleshed out and given backstories that let them explore things about themselves and grow as individuals by the end of the novel. They both have things they have to confront within themselves1 before they can really commit to being together and I love how their relationship unfolds. You get the typical romance genre happily ever after but it feels earned and not at the expense of the characters or their individual dreams.

The mystery aspect of the plot is rather fun. It's has stakes that are just high enough for the story being told and causes just enough tension to progress the plot. I also found the resolution very satisfying for many reasons.

I would recommend this one to anyone who likes Hollywood set romance novels. It's one of the better plotted and written ones I have had the chance to read. I cannot wait to devour the companion novels in this series and see what else awaits these characters I enjoyed spending time with.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews)

Anyone who visits this blog regularly will know that I am huge fan of Stranger Things. I couldn't resist when Novelly Yours offered up a Stranger Things box filled with candles (and other merch) inspired by the show.

My Welcome To Hawkins box arrived this week and I LOVE everything in it. The candles smell amazing. I almost don't want to burn them because they are so pretty (but realistically I am going to).

I can't pick a favourite out of the bunch but Harrington's Hair, She's Our Friend And She's Crazy, and  Zombie Boy are high on my list. 

As mentioned the package also had an assortment of other merchandise that I loved just as much.

The 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' sticker is perfection. I also love the bookmark with the quote about how Mike called Eleven every night. The enamel pin is adorable. It's all amazing and it made this Stranger Things fan REALLY happy.

What bookish goodies made their way into your mailbox this week? Let me know in the comments.

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

#Starstruck by Sariah Wilson

#Starstruck by Sariah Wilson
Release Date - January 16, 2018
Publisher Website - Montlake Romance/Amazon

Pages -  320 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

“You’ve done better.”

With one uncharacteristically sassy tweet to her longtime celebrity crush, Zoe Miller’s life turns upside down. Ultrahot A-lister Chase Covington doesn’t just respond to Zoe’s tweet, he does the unthinkable: he messages Zoe directly. Now she must decide between walking away or meeting her crush in person.

Chase knows better than to trust anyone from the Internet, but Zoe’s saucy challenge has totally caught his interest—and her girl-next-door personality is keeping it. He’s been burned enough to know he needs to keep his heart close. But his feelings for Zoe might be a lot more than just an online flirtation. He just has to convince her…

When the press gets wind of Zoe and Chase’s secret relationship, their romance turns into tabloid headlines. Will they be able to hold on to their Hollywood love story?

Summer always means more romance reads make their way on to my reading pile. I had a craving for some specifically set in Hollywood and impulse purchased a few of them based solely off the synopsis. #Starcrossed seemed like a fun, wish fulfillment read. While it was a fun enough read, there were elements of the story that didn't quite work for me.

Zoe meets Chase through Twitter. Pretty much everyone person with a celebrity crush has day dreamed 'what if' scenarios and this part of the story actually worked for me. It starts out slowly and grows as they get to know each other. I think the relationship aspect of the novel is developed well enough but suffered from characterization not being as developed.

Zoe is your typical shy girl who doesn't have a lot of luck with guys. Her friend is more outgoing (and more beautiful according to Zoe) and Zoe lets herself fade into the background. The insecurities Zoe has are certainly relatable enough to many readers out there. However, there is not a whole lot else we learn about her character. Her voice was not has strong as I would have liked. I didn't feel invested in her as a character which meant I wasn't as invested in the plot. None of these insecurities are ever actually dealt with in a meaningful way during the novel either, which doesn't help with character growth.

Chase felt even less developed than Zoe did. There was some intriguing elements brought forth that I wish the author had done more with. It is revealed that much of his public persona, particularly when it comes to answering interview questions, were lies. He wanted to keep the real things for himself and therefore sold a product instead. This was fascinating to me but it never really goes deeper than that reveal. The whole idea that he was so private that things like his favourite colour were to be kept guarded could have been a way to really dive into this character. It felt like a missed opportunity to me.

The friendship between Zoe and her best friend had a thread of jealousy to it that made Zoe make not the greatest decisions sometimes. Zoe actually acknowledges that she was afraid Chase would prefer her friend at one point. This, again, could have been interesting to explore but is left at the surface level. It also has a lot do with Zoe's insecurities that never properly get unpacked. I didn't like seeing this dynamic between friends because it just underscores the notion that women are in competition with each other.

I have seen this referred to as a 'clean' romance on some websites and I am guessing that refers to the fact that there is no sex in this book. Zoe's character wishes to wait until she is marriage to have sex. This is discussed and handled well within the pages of the book. Chase doesn't pressure her. Zoe doesn't relent in a moment of passion. It also showcases that Zoe not being ready to have sex doesn't mean that there are no heated moments between them. There is plenty of steam and innuendo to be found throughout. There are some well crafted make out scenes that often made me think it was going to lead to something more. My favourite element of this part of the story is the way that is is presented as being part of who Zoe is without it being the only thing about her. Virginity, especially female virginity, is often looked at as being some defining thing. It was nice just to see her wanting to wait as a choice she made for her own reasons. The only time I have seen this included as part of the plot in other novels it was treated as either something shameful or something virtuous. Here it is presented in a way that does not shame those who did not wait, nor places those who do on an unreasonable pedestal.

The ending felt a little rushed for me to fully appreciate it. It was quick to tie everything into a perfect little bow without actually unpacking some of the bigger relationship issues in the book. There is one big relationship hurdle that, I felt, gets fixed a little too conveniently. Those wanting every part of the story wrapped up in a nice little bow will certainly get that from this romance however.

Those looking for a fluffy read set in Hollywood may very well enjoy this one. I wanted just a little something extra and found myself loving certain aspects of the novel while lamenting the lack of exploration in others. It ended up being a mixed read for me but one that was enjoyable enough while I was reading it.

Waiting On Wednesday ... You'd Be Mine

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is You'd Be Mine by Erin Hahn

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

Annie Mathers is America’s sweetheart and heir to a country music legacy full of all the things her Gran warned her about. Superstar Clay Coolidge is most definitely going to end up one of those things. 

But unfortunately for Clay, if he can’t convince Annie to join his summer tour, his music label is going to drop him. That’s what happens when your bad boy image turns into bad boy reality. Annie has been avoiding the spotlight after her parents’ tragic death, except on her skyrocketing YouTube channel. Clay’s label wants to land Annie, and Clay has to make it happen. 

Swayed by Clay’s undeniable charm and good looks, Annie and her band agree to join the tour. From the start fans want them to be more than just tour mates, and Annie and Clay can’t help but wonder if the fans are right. But if there’s one part of fame Annie wants nothing to do with, it’s a high-profile relationship. She had a front row seat to her parents’ volatile marriage and isn’t interested in repeating history. If only she could convince her heart that Clay, with his painful past and head over heels inducing tenor, isn’t worth the risk. 

Erin Hahn’s thrilling debut, You’d Be Mine, asks: can the right song and the perfect summer on the road make two broken hearts whole?

This synopsis pretty much made me run to add this book to my 'to be read' list on Goodreads. It has romance, music, and heartbreak. It also sounds like a road trip book which I love.

It doesn't come out until April of next year so it'll be a bit of a wait but something tells me it'll be worth it.

Expected release date - April 2, 2019

At The Stroke Of Midnight by Tara Sivec

At The Stroke Of Midnight by Tara Sivec
Release Date - February 27, 2018
Publisher Website - Swerve

Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  304 pages
My Rating - 3.5/5
**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Meet the Naughty Princess Club: a brand new series from USA Today bestselling author Tara Sivec that introduces readers to Fairytale Lane and the hilarity—and romance—that ensue when three women start a new business to make it rain.

Once upon a time Cynthia was the perfect housewife. Between being the President of the PTA and keeping her home spotless without a hair (or her pearls) out of place, her life was a dream come true. Her husband was once her knight in shining armor, but now he’s run off with all their money…and the babysitter.

Dressed as a princess at the annual Halloween block party on Fairytale Lane, she meets two other “princesses” also facing money troubles: antique store owner Ariel and librarian Isabelle. When the women are invited to wear their costumes to a party where they’re mistaken for strippers, Cindy, Ariel, and Belle realize that a career change could be the best way to make their money problems go bippity-boppity-boo.

But can structured Cindy approach a stripper pole without sanitizing wipes? And could the blue-eyed anti-prince that has been crossing her path become Cindy’s happily ever after? At the Stroke of Midnight is a hilarious, empowering story where princesses can save themselves while slaying in stilettos. 

I have always loved reading retellings of classic fairytales. At The Stroke Of Midnight promised to not only be a fun twist on the Cinderella tale but combine it with romance and humour. This outrageous stoy managed to be as fun as it was empowering.

The writing style leans into the humour that is natural to the plot and setting of the book. It embraces the absurdity of the entire premise and does it well. The secret is that in among all the outlandishness there is also a lot of heart and great character moments. It is this blend that really works and captures the readers attention.

This book is filled with ladies supporting each other. They push each other outside of their comfort zone and ensures that they each see the potential within themselves. The friendship that exists between them is the most important relationship in the novel. It reminded me of  Sex and the City in the way that the guys were secondary. It felt true here. My only slight quibble about the friendship element is that the initial interaction between Cindy and Ariel is pretty antagonistic. The connection Ariel has to what is going on in Cindy's life is never fully dealt with. It's not that Cindy should blame Ariel for anything but I think some time should have been spent dealing with the bombshell that is dropped so that the friendship felt a little more natural. I wanted to see more of them bonding and dealing with their issues but recognize this book was set up for further installments that will hopefully continue to progress their friendship.

This book is quite sex positive and the message of taking charge of your sexuality and body is clearly evident. Cindy's journey of discovering her sexual side is interesting because she's coming from a marriage that was unfulfilling in many ways. It is someone discovering things outside of her usual experience and that felt different for the type of story being told within these pages.

The fairytale element that is heavily teased is represented throughout. We glimpse Cindy as someone who takes care of everything around the home. Belle loves books. Ariel is obsessed with her little treasures that she collects. It's all cute, and subtle enough to work. It's meant to be tongue in cheek and it fits with the narration style effortlessly.

Cindy's 'Prince Charming' is as swoon worthy as you would expect. A guy who has a heart of gold and can give as good as he gets when it comes to banter. He, like the Prince from the original tale, is not as developed as Cindy is but I feel like it works in this case. He's supposed to be a little bit of a mystery. We also get the added bonus of seeing the love interests for both Belle and Ariel in this one. I am most intrigued to see the Ariel/Eric dynamic play out because she is a firecracker and he seems to know exactly how to relate to her.

A crass, humourous look at three women whose friendship helps push each of them forward and makes their lives better. It's a story that blends sexy with a fun, lighthearted plot and plenty of laughs. If you're looking for something to round out your summer reading I recommend taking a look at this series. I think it will be a hit with plenty of readers (even those who are not fans of the Cinderella tale).

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews)

It's been a quieter week mailbox wise (which is good considering all the books I got at ALA). I have a recap up if you are interested in what I got while at ALA.

I came back from New Orleans with an amazing package from Raincoast Books. I had taken part in their blogger preview and won one of the prize packs.

Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Raincoast Books for all of this. The candles smell amazing and I cannot wait to try out my new reading socks in the winter.

I also purchased two ebooks this week.

Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre (goodreads)
Heartthrob by Belinda Williams (goodreads)

Both are Hollywood set romances that I thought sounded good and had high Goodreads ratings. I am looking for some good end of summer reading and I hope these two will be exactly what I am looking for.

What bookish goodies made their way into your mailbox this week? Let me know in the comments.

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!