Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every weekend.

BOOKS

Cover for Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce (goodreads)

Illustrated covers are all the rage right now and this one is particularly cute. I love the colour scheme and the adorable characters! The tea cup just seals the deal.

I feel like this cover lets you know EXACTLY what this book is going to be. It's perfect.

TV/MOVIES

The poster for The Broken Hearts Gallery

I love a good rom-com and this one looks particularly adorable. I love the poster so much!

I feel like it captures the vibe of the movie perfectly. I certainly matches the trailer (see below).

Posters for Hamilton on Disney+

Disney+ will be releasing Hamilton on July 3rd and they released some cast posters in the lead up. I love these posters so MUCH!

I decided to share just two of my favourites, but you can find the entire set on the Disney+ Twitter account.

First up is Jonathan Groff's poster!

And of course Lin Manuel Miranda's had to be included as well.

I wanted my first time seeing this to be in person at the theatre but Covid19 had other plans. I am just glad I get to see the original cast (and here is hoping I can keep my December date to see it in person).

The Broken Hearts Gallery Trailer

The above poster gives you an indication of what you are in for, and the trailer just confirms those suspicions. It's a very cute trailer and I personally cannot wait to see this.

I am sadly pretty sure that it will not be making it's July 17th release date though. I just don't think movie enough movie theatres will be open for studios to release new movies before that date.

The Baby-Sitters Club Trailer

Netflix is bring back The Baby-Sitter's Club and this trailer is a whole lot of fun.

The cast actually looks the age they are supposed to be, and it is filled with nostalgic goodness that makes this very appealing. I cannot wait to check it out. 

Trailer for Hamilton

I do not think it is possible to watch this trailer and not get goosebumps. There is a reason Hamilton is a cultural phenomenon. 

I cannot wait to sit and watch this with the original cast. It's going to be pretty magical.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

Seasons of the Storm by Elle Cosimano

Seasons of the Storm by Elle Cosimano
Release Date - June 23, 2020

Publisher Website - Harper Collins Canada
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy

Pages - 480 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**arc received from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

One cold, crisp night, Jack Sommers was faced with a choice—live forever according to the ancient, magical rules of Gaia, or die.

Jack chose to live, and in exchange, he became a Winter—an immortal physical embodiment of the season on Earth. Every year, he must hunt the Season who comes before him. Summer kills Spring. Autumn kills Summer. Winter kills Autumn. And Spring kills Winter.

Jack and Fleur, a Winter and a Spring, fall for each other against all odds. To be together, they’ll have to escape the cycle that’s been forcing them apart. But their creator won’t let them go without a fight.

Ever since watching Rise of the Guardians with my nieces I have wanted someone to write a book that incorporated similar elements to the story arc of Jack Frost in that movie. His origin story is heartbreaking and resonated with me along with the fun, soaring feeling of his new found powers. Seasons of the Storm does exactly this and more. It manages to capture some of that magic, even if other elements were not quite as strong.

This book is very plot focused. The story is propelled forward because of actions and not necessarily because of the characters themselves. I don't feel that we get to really know these characters other than the basic stuff. They feel very surface level but it works in this action driven sort of story. I liked the characters well enough though, and that also fits with the type of story this is.

The romance was one of the things that I thought was well done. We meet Fleur and Jack when they are already falling for each other. We jump right into their story and the connection is evident immediately. The history they share is part of why this element works. I bought that they had grown to feel things for each other and that it would cause them to question everything. It is exactly what I hoped I would get from this romance. Lots of angst, longing, and emotion. It is very Romeo and Juliet. There is also another romance in this that I predict many readers will love even more as it feels more like it is being built on the page.

The magic aspect is, sadly, not as developed as I would have hoped. There is plenty foundation here but I still only feel like we know the basic of the powers these characters have. We get to see some of what they can do but it is under extreme circumstances. I wanted a bit more detail about what they typically do with their powers. What does it mean to be a winter, spring, summer, or autumn? I never felt like I had a clear understanding of what they did while it was their season. I hope this is expanded upon in future books because the whole premise is intriguing. I just wish the world building had gone a little deeper. I did appreciate that we got to find out how a someone becomes a season and the choices they have to make as a result are explored in detail. These origin stories are, as you can guess, heartbreaking in various ways and I feel that weight is given the appropriate heft in both the plot and characterization.

The stakes and consequences for actions are something else I feel was handled well within the story. There are lasting repercussions for their actions that felt earned. The characters have to get their hands a little messy and that comes back to haunt them in a way that worked for me.

As I got to the last few chapters I was hit with two distinct thoughts. First was that the book was heading for a cliffhanger ending. It just did not seem possible to wrap the story up in the amount of pages left. The second was disappointment that some of the major point points would not be dealt with within this one book. I was, mostly, wrong. The book does end in a satisfying way even if it felt a bit rushed. There are elements that I wished has been expanded upon, particularly those introduced towards the end. It ends with just enough being teased for sequels while providing a full intact story.

This might be the book for you if you like books filled with romance, action, and bit of magic. It is more plot driven than anything else so it offers a fast paced read that has some fun action sequences. It is the kind of story that you will breeze through and that will leave you entertained.

Recommendations Needed

I have been having a lot of fun working my way through the books and movies I selected for my #2020PopCultureResolution experiment. So much fun that I have decided to do it again next year.

I've decided that I have not read nearly enough mysteries/thrillers and will use this as a means to rectify this.

I am hoping to get a bunch of recommendations so I can make a make a list of possibilities to narrow down before the end of the year.

Please recommend your fave thrillers/mysteries  in the comments (or reach out on Twitter). I am looking for both older classics and new can't miss titles so feel free to suggest as many as you like.

I cannot wait to hear what some of your favourites are and to share the final list with you towards the end of the year.

Waiting on Wednesday ... Hot British Boyfriend

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 Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

After a horrifying public rejection by her crush, Ellie Nichols does what any girl would do: she flees the country. To be more precise, she joins her high school’s study abroad trip to England. While most of her classmates are there to take honors courses and pad their college applications, Ellie is on a quest to rebuild her reputation and self-confidence. And nothing is more of a confidence booster than getting a hot British boyfriend.

When Ellie meets Will, a gorgeous and charming Brit, she vows to avoid making the same mistakes as she did with the last guy she liked. Which is why she strikes up a bargain with Dev, an overachieving classmate who she’s never clicked with, but who does seem to know a lot about the things Will is interested in—if he helps her win over her crush, then she’ll help him win over his.

But even as Ellie embarks on a whirlwind romance, one that takes her on adventures to some of England’s most beautiful places, she still needs to figure out if this is actually the answer to all her problems…and whether the perfect boyfriend is actually the perfect boy for her.

The first thing I want to flail about is the cuteness of this cover. I feel like it captures exactly what this book is going to be.

I also think, just from the synopsis, that perhaps Ellie might up end feeling a little something for Dev by the end of this (even if Will is perfectly charming).

It feels like this might be a perfect choice for a Valentine's Day read  with that February release date. Pretty sure it's going to be fluffy, cute, and ignite a lot of wanderlust.

Expected release date - February 9, 2021

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
Release Date - May 26, 2020

Publisher Website - Penguin Random House
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

A showrunner and her assistant give the world something to talk about when they accidentally fuel a ridiculous rumor in this debut romance.

Hollywood powerhouse Jo is photographed making her assistant Emma laugh on the red carpet, and just like that, the tabloids declare them a couple. The so-called scandal couldn't come at a worse time--threatening Emma's promotion and Jo's new movie.

As the gossip spreads, it starts to affect all areas of their lives. Paparazzi are following them outside the office, coworkers are treating them differently, and a "source" is feeding information to the media. But their only comment is "no comment".

With the launch of Jo's film project fast approaching, the two women begin to spend even more time together, getting along famously. Emma seems to have a sixth sense for knowing what Jo needs. And Jo, known for being aloof and outwardly cold, opens up to Emma in a way neither of them expects. They begin to realize the rumor might not be so off base after all...but is acting on the spark between them worth fanning the gossip flames? 

There are books that reward a reader's patience. You know the books that I am talking about. The ones who are extra satisfying at the end because the destination of the plot feels earned. Something To Talk About is one of these books.

Meryl Wilsner's debut is the slowest of slow burns. It is a delicious sort of torture because you will be yelling at the main characters to just kiss already and it will happen much too soon. This romance takes the scenic route and it is well worth the journey. It makes everything so much more satisfying as a result and builds a foundation that feels realistic to the characters.

The power dynamic between the two main characters could have been an issue. Jo is Emma's boss and that can be a messy dynamic if not handled correctly. Luckily, the element of the story is well handled. The author not only addresses that concern but makes sure to tackle it in such a way that it is no longer an issue. Sexual harassment in the workplace is directly dealt with in the plot and I felt it tackled the serious issues within the pages incredibly well. These elements are given space and time to breathe in a way that other books do not allow for.

The romance is, of course, the heart of the novel. The relationship is such a joy to see develop. Jo and Emma are so supportive of one another and so kind and patient with each other. They may not always communicate as effectively as the reader would like but that is pretty much the basis of every romance book in history.

I love that there was time taken to explore and flesh out the other relationships in both Jo and Emma's lives. There is Jo's best friend and Emma's sister who immediately come to mind as stand outs. The support they offer is a contrast to the more romantic support on display and it makes that aspect even richer. A lot of the humour is supplied from their friends and family teasing that they can see the connection between Emma and Jo even before they have admitted it to themselves. A good romance always ensures that the couple have plot points outside of the relationship being formed and this one manages that really well.

There is a saying that it is not the destination but the journey. I think in this case it is both. The journey makes the destination mean more in this case and it would not be the same without out it. If you like slow burn romances, wonderfully written characters, and feel good reads I would highly recommend picking this one up. 

Waiting On Wednesday ..... Roman + Jewel

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 Roman + Jewel by Dana L Davis

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

If Romeo and Juliet got the Hamilton treatment...who would play the leads? This vividly funny, honest, and charming romantic novel by Dana L. Davis is the story of a girl who thinks she has what it takes...and the world thinks so, too.

Jerzie Jhames will do anything to land the lead role in Broadway's hottest new show, Roman and Jewel, a Romeo and Juliet inspired hip-hopera featuring a diverse cast and modern twists on the play. But her hopes are crushed when she learns mega-star Cinny won the lead...and Jerzie is her understudy.

Falling for male lead Zeppelin Reid is a terrible idea--especially once Jerzie learns Cinny wants him for herself. Star-crossed love always ends badly. But when a video of Jerzie and Zepp practicing goes viral and the entire world weighs in on who should play Jewel, Jerzie learns that while the price of fame is high, friendship, family, and love are priceless.

I love that this isn't technically a Romeo and Juliet retelling even though it is based around one. I love the idea of taking a Shakespeare play creating something new and different out of it. It sounds awesome and I love stories that are set in the entertainment world. It is about time we got more books set in the theater world specifically.

This doesn't come out until the winter, but you can add it to your holiday wishlist as a pre-order item or save those gift cards to purchase it after.

Expected release date - January 5, 2021

Returning To Forks, WA

With the announcement that Midnight Sun would be released in August I decided to revisit the Twilight Saga in order to prepare.

I have not read any of these books in years and despite owning it I have not read Life and Death when it released.

I am both excited and nervous to read this series again. I have such specific memories about how I felt about the series that I am sure will change once I have reread the books. I have grown and changed as a reader and (I hope) as a person.

I have decided to post some blog posts along the way during this journey. It might be one per book or it could be just one in general. I thought it might be interesting to talk about my experiences with this series in comparison to when I first read them.

I am actually doing this reread with some friends and I am pretty excited for our chats about the series and how differently (or not) we view it.

I have a feeling this is going to lead to me rewatching all of the movies as well.

Have you ever reread a book after a long time? If so, did your feelings about the book change? Are you planning on rereading the Twilight Saga before Midnight Sun comes out? Let me know in the comments.