MAY '23 WRAP-UP

  

Time for another wrap up!

Hello everyone! Here we are with the May wrap up for 2023. I didn't read as much as I usually do but this was my last month of undergrad and I was extremely busy with coursework. Also, I saw Taylor Swift this month so I was busy with that as well. 

Time to talk about the books I read this month.

PHYSICAL BOOKS

 

The first physical book that I read was This Cursed Crown by Alexandra Overy. This is the sequel to These Feathered Flames which I read last year and rated five stars. I really enjoyed this sequel and thought it was a good wrap up of the storyline. I ended up rating this one 4 Stars. 

The second physical book that I read was Broken Bonds by J. Bree. This has been hyped up and promoted all over the internet and I went into it knowing basically nothing. I ended up not really enjoying this one like I thought I would. I don't really know how to explain this book honestly and I am not sure if I will continue on with the series. I rated it 2.5 Stars. 

The third physical book that I read was A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan. This series is so cute and I've enjoyed reading all of them. This is about a girl named Hailey who has a salad shop called By the Cup and she is currently trying to make it a success. She finds herself in a disastrous meet cute with Wes, who wants companionship but not really love as the pain from his parents' divorce still follows him. This is so cute and I had a great time reading it. I rated it 3.5 Stars. 

The fourth one that I read was Otherwise Engaged by Avery Keelan. I actually read this on my kindle but it was not an ARC so I didn't list it in that section. I loved this book so much. It was such a good palette cleanser between some of the other books that I read this month that I didn't love as much. This is about Thayer who invents a boyfriend in order to stop her family from bothering her but now she has the problem with actually finding someone to be her fake boyfriend at a wedding. Enter her ex friend Bennett who's business is in peril and he needs to fake an engagement to save it and his reputation. They decide to enter into a fake engagement/relationship that mutually benefits them. I loved this one and rated it 5 Stars. 

The fifth one that I read was When A Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare. This is a historical romance about a woman named Madeline who is certain that she'll be failure on the London marriage mart so she invents a Scottish sweetheart and she writes to this imaginary man. Eventually she decides to pretend he gets killed in battle in order to avoid the pressures of London society. However, years later, the man that she invented turns up on her doorstep. This was so fun and I rated it 4 Stars. 

The sixth one that I read was For The Throne by Hannah Whitten. This is the sequel to For the Wolf which I read earlier this year and really enjoyed. It's a mix of Beauty and the Beast and Little Red Riding Hood and is such a good adult fantasy novel. I rated it 4 Stars. 

AUDIOBOOKS READ

NONE

ARC'S READ

The first ARC that I read was Earls Rush In by Jennifer Haymore. This was a historical romance that begins with Finneas Jones who is the Earl of Trevelyan, kidnapping his deceased best friend's younger sister after he learns that she is about to be betrothed to a man with bad intentions. Charlotte has only a few months before her aunt and uncle kick her and her younger sister out and she thinks Mr. Bagshaw will be a good match and save her from that fate. She is shocked when Finn hijacks her carriage as she hasn't seen him since her brother's death. Then when their carriage crashes during a perilous blizzard, Charlotte and Finn have to pose as husband and wife while they shelter at an inn. This was so good and I had such a good time reading it. This one released on May 8th. I rated it 4 Stars. 

The second ARC that I read was Marry Me By Midnight by Felicia Grossman. This was another historical romance that I read this week. This is set in the 1830s and is about a rich girl named Isabelle Lira who is searching for a rich husband in order to help preserve her dead father's investment business. However, she falls for Aaron Ellenberg who is the janitor at a local synagogue instead. It's such a cute book and there's Jewish representation (although I can not speak to it being good or bad as I am not Jewish myself). I had such a good time and I rated it 4 Stars.

The third ARC that I read was Tall, Duke and Scandalous by Amy Rose Bennett. This was an interesting one as I didn't really love it and I expected to love it a lot. I really liked the main heroine but I didn't care much for the hero or the romance. There was also a lot of talk about children which I didn't love. I ended up rating it 3 Stars.

The fourth ARC that I read was Kiss The Girl by Zoraida Cordova. This was my favorite book that I read in the month of May and is definitely going to make it onto a favorite books of 2023 list. This is a Little Mermaid retelling about a girl named Ariel who with she and her sisters are a band called the Siren Seven. They've been a pop culture phenomenon since they were kids, however after their farewell tour Ariel wants to spend her summer living a normal life. But her father has other plans as he wants to begin her breakout solo career, beginning with an announcement on a morning talk show. The night before her appearance, she and her sisters sneak out to a rock counter and it's there where Ariel crosses paths with Eric Reyes who is the lead singer of an up and coming band. He's unaware of her true identity and invites her on the road with him for the summer and disobeying her father, she goes with him. This was so cute and so much fun. I ended up rating it 5 Stars.

REVIEWS IN MAY: 

NONE

WEEKLY WRAP-UP:

NONE

DISCUSSIONS/OTHER:

NONE

FAVORITE COVER OF THE MONTH:

NEW FICTIONAL MEN: 

Bennett from Otherwise Engaged by Avery Keelan

Eric from Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Cordova 

NEW FAVORITE FEMALES: 

Thayer  from Otherwise Engaged by Avery Keelan

Ariel from Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Cordova 

NEW FAVORITE BOOK RELATIONSHIPS: 

Thayer and Bennett  from Otherwise Engaged by Avery Keelan

Eric and Ariel from Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Cordova 

TV SHOWS I WATCHED THIS MONTH:

 

MOVIES I WATCHED THIS MONTH:

WHAT BOOKS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

There's so many more but these are the main ones! 

NEW BLOG FINDS

NONE

SONGS ON REPEAT

Haunted - Taylor Swift 

Hella Good - No Doubt 

Long Live - Taylor Swift 

Angel of Small Death - Hozier 

The River - Daisy Jones and the Six 

Through Me - Hozier 

Francesca - Hozier 

I Think He Knows - Taylor Swift 

Dance the Night - Dua Lipa 

Hits Different - Taylor Swift

You're Losing Me - Taylor Swift 

Never Ending Song - Conan Gray

BOOKS I RECENTLY PURCHASED OR ADDED TO MY COLLECTION

BOOKS I WANT TO READ NEXT MONTH

The graphics at the top belong to me. The background pictures for them, however do not. 

SUMMER '23 ANTICIPATED RELEASES

There are so many interesting releases coming out in 2023. In this list, I have my Summer 2023 anticipated books (which includes the months of June, July and August).

JUNE

 

1. Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey ~ June 11, 2023

I will basically pick up any contemporary romance that Tessa Bailey writes and I am very excited for this next one. It follows a Napa heiress who loses her job and fiance and in order to get her trust fund to finance her new business venture, she must marry.  I didn't love the first in this series, however, this is a marriage of convenience which makes me very intrigued to try this one.

2. A Love Catastrophe by Helena Hunting ~ June 13, 2023

I haven't read many of Helena Hunting's books, however, I have a couple on my want to read list. I did read Kiss My Cupcake awhile ago and I ended up enjoying it immensely. I don't know much about this book except that it's a romance which follows a cat sitter and a man who doesn't like cats. 

3. Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood ~ June 13, 2023

I have read two of Ali Hazelwood's books so far, and one has been a hit while the other was a miss. I don't know much about this one except that a lot of people like it even more than The Love Hypothesis. 

4. Dance of Devils and Daylight by Indiana Rose ~ June 17, 2023

This is the sequel to Scars of Salt and Silver which was a pirate fantasy story and one of my favorite books that I've read so far this year. I am very excited to see what happens with the characters in the sequel. 

5. Where Echoes Die by Courtney Gould ~ June 20, 2023 

If I'm being completely honest, I added this book to my most anticipated list solely because of the cover. However, I know this one is a horror/thriller young adult novel set in a small town where everyone has no idea how they got there. I am very excited to get into it.

6. And Break The Pretty Kings by Lena Jeong ~ June 20, 2023 

This is another book that I know virtually nothing about except that it is a fantasy book inspired by Korean history and myths. I think this is a book that I'd like to go into knowing not much about it but I am excited nonetheless.

7. Starlings by Amanda Linsmeier ~ June 27, 2023

This is another young adult horror fantasy that is said to be perfect for fans of House of Hollow, which is one of my favorite books.  It's about a girl who's father told her that he had no remaining family but when he suddenly dies, she is invited by the grandmother she never knew she had, to visit her father's hometown. When she's there, she discovers that something is off about the town and her family. It sounds very spooky and I'm ready to read it.

JULY 

1. Dark Water Daughter by H.M. Long ~ July 11, 2023

If you know anything about me it's that I will always read a pirate novel. This is about a woman who is a stormsinger, which is a creature that closely resembles sirens. She is faced with servitude to pirate lord Silvanus Lirr and in exchange for protection she offers her skills to his arch-rival in hopes that he'll help her send Lirr "to a watery grave". It sounds so good and early reviews are making me even more excited. 

2. Those We Drown by Amy Goldsmith ~ July 11, 2023

This is an ocean horror novel which is one of my favorite types of horror settings. It's about a girl who is on a semester-at-sea program and her best friend disappears on their first night on board. It sounds so spooky and I'm excited to read it.

3. The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem ~ July 18, 2023

This is an Egyptian inspired political fantasy book about a fugitive queen who has to strike a bargain with her greatest enemy and not reveal her true identity. I have recently discovered that I really enjoy adult political fantasies so I am excited for this one. 

4. Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong ~ July 25, 2023

Chloe Gong wrote one of my favorite YA books, These Violent Delights, and this is her adult fantasy debut. It's supposed to be a fantasy inspired by Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, with a set of deadly games reminiscent of The Hunger Games. It sounds so good. 

5. One of Us is Back by Karen M. McManus ~ July 25, 2023

One of Us is Lying is a favorite YA mystery book of mine and I am so excited to read the third book in the e series. The synopsis doesn't give much away so I am excited to go into it somewhat blind. 

6. House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig ~ July 25, 2023

This is the sequel/companion novel to House of Salt and Sorrows which was a horror/gothic twelve dancing princesses retelling which I loved. I am very excited to read from the perspective of a different sister in this one and I have already preordered it. 

AUGUST 

1. Zhara by S. Jae-Jones ~ August 1, 2023

This is another book that I don't know much about but I love one of the author's other books so I am excited to read this one. I just know that it is a fantasy book set in a realm where magic is forbidden. 

2. The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley ~ August 1, 2023

This is the companion novel to Would You Rather which I read last year and really enjoyed. This is about two of the minor characters in that book and I am excited to read it. 

3. Foxglove by Adalyn Grace ~ August 22, 2023

Belladonna was one of my favorite books of 2022 and I really need to read this sequel as soon as possible. This is a gothic fantasy series which I highly recommend.

4. House of Marionne by J. Elle ~ August 29, 2023

This is supposed to be Dark Academia mixed with Bridgerton with female rage and honestly that is all I need to know. It's also a mix between fantasy and fantasy romance. 

5. Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas ~ August 29, 2023

I haven't read The Hacienda by this author yet but I am very excited to read it soon. This is another horror gothic novel but this time with vampires and it sounds so good. 

6. Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim ~ August 29, 2023

I love Elizabeth Lim's books so much and I am very excited to read this one. This is a spin-off prequel to the Six Crimson Cranes series about two sisters and it sounds so good. I am very excited to get to it.

SPRING 2023 ANTICIPATED RELEASES

There are so many interesting releases coming out in 2023. In this list, I have my Spring 2023 anticipated books (which includes the months of March, April and May). 

MARCH 

1.  Clytemnestra by Constanza Casati ~ March 2, 2023

Clytemnestra is a Greek mythology retelling about the wife of Agamemnon where she is the protagonist and it is written through her eyes. Greek mythology retellings are a hit or miss for me but I haven't read a retelling about her so I am excited to try this one. 

2. The Faithless by C.L. Clark ~ March 7, 2023

The Faithless is the sequel to The Unbroken which is an adult fantasy series. I loved the first one when I read it and I am excited to read more from this world. 

3. The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten ~ March 7, 2023

I don't know too much about this one but I do know that it is the first book in a fantasy series. I loved For The Wolf by Hannah Whitten so I am excited to read more from her. 

4. Ravensong by Cayla Fay ~ March 14, 2023

This is said to include Irish mythology and is about a demigod girl who defends the mortal world against monsters. It's compared to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and it already has great ratings from people who got ARCs so I am excited to read it myself. 

5. The Love Wager by Lynn Painter ~ March 14, 2023 

Better Than The Movies by this same author is already one of my favorites of the year so I am very excited for this one! 

6. The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores ~ March 21, 2023

This is apparently a Rapunzel retelling with a witch and a vampire, however it seems like it is a fairly loose retelling with just some similar elements. I am still excited to read this one and I'm curious to see where the story goes. 

APRIL 

  

1. Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu ~ April 4, 2023

Marie Lu is an author that I will always read from and this is a new contemporary romance series about a superstar and a spy. It sounds cool and I don't think Marie Lu has written a contemporary before so I am excited to try this one.

2. Queen Bee by Amalie Howard ~ April 4, 2023

This is a Young Adult regency romance about a girl who disguises herself as a mysterious heiress to infiltrate London's elite and get retribution against her backstabbing former best friend. I've read other books by Amalie Howard and loved them so I am excited to read this one. 

3. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross ~ April 4, 2023

This is compared to Shadow and Bone and Lore, both of which I love. It's said to be a historical fantasy about two rival journalists in a war among gods. 

4. Silver in the Bone by Alexandra Bracken ~ April 4, 2023 

This is supposed to be a fantasy with elements of Arthurian legend. I loved Lore by Alexandra Bracken which I read last year and I am excited to see how she'll tackle Arthurian legend and mythology. 

5. Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker ~ April 4, 2023

This is a contemporary fantasy set in New Orleans with magic and intergenerational curses. I love anything set in New Orleans so I am excited to give this one a try.

6. To Swoon and To Spar by Martha Waters ~ April 11, 2023

This is the fourth book in The Regency Vows series which is such a fun historical romance series. This installment is a marriage of convenience romance with an apparent haunted house. It sounds so good and I always have a great time with this series.  

7. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh ~ April 11, 2023

This is a space opera about a girl living on a space station who wants to avenge the murder of planet Earth. I will always pick up space fantasy books so I am excited for this one. 

8. Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee ~ April 11, 2023

This is a novella by Fonda Lee who wrote the Jade City series.  I don't know too much about it but I know it's about a girl who wants revenge for the death of her mother and brother. Also the cover is gorgeous and is what initially drew me in. 

9. The Fiancee Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur ~ April 18, 2023

This is an adult romance by the author who wrote the Written in the Stars romance trilogy which I really enjoyed so I am excited to read more from her.

10. Happy Place by Emily Henry ~ April 25, 2023

Emily Henry has quickly become one of my favorite authors and I will read any romance that she writes. This is a romance where a couple who broke up months ago make a pact to pretend to be together for their annual vacation with their friends. I love a second chance romance and I'm excited for this one.

MAY 

 

1. The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman ~ May 2, 2023

I have enjoyed everything that I've read from Amie Kaufman and I hope this will join them. This is the first book in a fantasy series about a girl pirate who plans to follow her father on the high seas, but her plans are derailed when a stranger boards her ship, and asks them to take him to complete a sacred ritual on the Isles of the Gods without detection. I will read any book about pirates so I am excited for this on!

2. Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli ~ May 2, 2023

I've read a lot of books by Becky Albertalli and I really like her contemporaries. This is another contemporary young adult romance and I am excited to read it. 

3. The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan ~ May 2, 2023

This is a book in the Percy Jackson world that follows Nico Di Angelo and Will Solace who have to go to Tartarus to rescue someone. I will read anything in the Percy Jackson world and I am so excited to read this one!

4. A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand ~ May 9, 2023

Claire Legrand has written a lot of books that I've loved and I am excited for another fantasy series from her. I don't know much about this one but I do know it's said to be a sort of Bridgerton mixed with fantasy and I'm excited to read it.  I do have an ARC of this one which I hope to get to before it releases. 

5. Scarlet by Genevieve Cogman ~ May 11, 2023

I haven't heard much at all about this one but it looks so intriguing. Scarlet is supposed to be a Scarlet Pimpernel retelling with vampires and honestly that just sounds so good. 

6. Court of the Undying Seasons by A.M. Strickland ~ May 16, 2023

This is a young adult fantasy about a vampire school and the main character wants to get revenge for her mother who was taken by vampires years ago. I've read two other books by this author and I've loved both of them so I'm excited to read another one.

7. All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley ~ May 16, 2023

I don't know much about this book at all except that it is a Young Adult Gothic Horror novel and that is honestly all I need to know. 

8. The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi ~ May 23, 2023

This is the sequel to The Final Strife which I read at the beginning of 2023 and I loved it. This is an adult high fantasy series inspired by Africa and Arabia and I am so excited to read the next installment. 

9. A Curse of Salt by Sarah Street ~ May 25, 2023

This is said to be a retelling of Beauty and the Beast with pirates. I follow the author on twitter and everything she posts about this book makes me even more excited to read it.