MAY WRAP UP | The Books & the Stats

This is becoming a theme now, but welcome to the mess that is my life. I haven’t posted in over 20 days and that’s the longest I haven’t posted all year. I’ve said this at the start of all my wrap ups, but I’m still proud of myself that it’s only 20 days. Last year I was less consistent and my 2019 views for 5 months have already exceeded the entirety of 2018!

I’ve been having some issues with reading slumps and moods – I’ve been very much on a romance kick without having a lot of unread romance on my shelves. Also just life has been kicking me in the bum so Imi’s been absent – sorry, kids. Expect a comeback sometime soon.

Aurora Rising
(Aurora Cycle #1) by
Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
★★★½

YA Sci Fi [GR | BUY]

I was so hyped for this book and it has ended up being my most disappointing read of 2019 so far. It wasn’t that it was bad, it was a lot of fun and I love space japes, but I had such high expectations for a Kaufman-Kristoff collab that it was a let down.

I find that it’s been quite polarising within the community and so I would definitely recommend picking it up if you enjoy space heists, mischief and a group of misfits becoming friends!

The Hating Game by
Sally Thorne
★★★★★

NA Romance [GR | BUY]

This book was everything I needed. It has been so long since I’ve just sat down on a casual Sunday and blitzed through an entire book but I felt like I really got my mojo back with this.

A brilliant enemies to lovers with so much angst and sexual tension that honestly it just made my day. This was everything that my romance-craving needed. I know it’s very hyped, but it’s definitely worthy of it.

Keep Me Safe (Slow Burn #1)
by Maya Banks
★

Adult Romantic Suspense
[GR | BUY]

I do not know why I read this book all the way to the end because it was horrifying. Seriously fucked up relationship, graphic violence, rape, abuse, just so messed up. I admit the concept was intriguing and the wiring was addictive, but the content was just a big ol’ nope.

Note the series name is Slow Burn – I would like to educate Maya Banks on what a slow burn is, because girl it ain’t this. Toxic instalove is what this was.

I don’t even want to list triggers because I’ll be here for hours but if you really want to read this horror show, I’d definitely recommend googling.

The Simple Wild by K. A. Tucker
★★★★★

NA Romance [GR | BUY]

This was a Christmas gift from my amazing and generous friend Melanie @ Meltotheany, and my romance mood was such a good reason to pick it up!

Boy, was it worth it.

Oh my lord, I loved every inch of this book – it’s a hate to love romance with family reunions, Alaska landscape and SKY COWBOYS. Please pick it up, it’s so underrated.

Notice my new blog feature: this book is my pick of the month for May 2019!

How to Forget a Duke (Misadventures in Matchmaking #1) by Vivienne Lorret
★★★½

Historical Romance [GR | BUY]

I decided to raid my library’s audiobook romances and this was a pleasant surprise.

An enjoyable little historical about a nosy matchmaker who is obsessed with / inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma. There’s a bit of hate to love and some amnesia thrown in there, but all in all an enjoyable trashy romance.

Operation Atonement by
Talia Hibbert
★★★½

NA Romance [GR | CLAIM FREE]

I actually got this ebook for free when I signed up to Talia Hibbert’s newsletter. If you’re a fan of contemporary romance, I would definitely recommend doing so as her books are great.

This was novella length so just a quick read, but very enjoyable (with some good smut content if that’s what you’re after). It’s also very sex work positive and that made me so happy.

The actual plot was a bit lacklustre, but 🤷 I had fun.