Book Review: "Ugly Love" by Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover's "Ugly Love" is a beautifully written contemporary romance novel that delves deep into the complexities of love, pain, and the power of redemption. With her signature emotional storytelling, Hoover takes readers on a heart-wrenching journey of love, loss, and what happens after "big love."

The story follows the intertwined lives of Tate Collins and Miles Archer. Tate, a determined and ambitious nurse, finds herself captivated by the enigmatic, brooding pilot, Miles. Despite their intense chemistry, Miles remains closed off and unwilling to pursue a traditional relationship. Instead, he offers Tate a deal: a purely physical arrangement with no strings attached. Intrigued by the mystery behind Miles' guarded demeanor, Tate agrees, setting the stage for a tumultuous exploration of their desires and the raw realities of their pasts.

Hoover's writing shines in "Ugly Love," seamlessly blending tender moments with heartrending revelations. The narrative alternates between Tate's present-day experiences and Miles' past - a technique that intensifies the emotional draw of the story. As the layers of their individual traumas are peeled back, readers are drawn into the characters' pain, heartbreak, and ultimate quest for healing.

Hoover's ability to create complex and flawed characters is commendable. Tate's ambition and vulnerability make her a relatable female lead. Miles, on the other hand, is a tortured soul, struggling to confront the demons of his past. Their distinct voices and genuine emotions make them compelling protagonists, driving the narrative forward.

"Ugly Love" is an intense and passionate novel that will leave readers reflecting on the power of love, the consequences of past choices, and forgiving ourselves in order to move on. Colleen Hoover's skillful storytelling and the raw, honest emotions she evokes make this book a worthwhile read for fans of contemporary romance seeking a deeply emotional and thought-provoking experience.

Book Review: "The American Roommate Experiment” by Elena Armas

“The American Roommate Experiment” by Elena Armas is a slow-burn, romance novel that follows the story of tech engineer turned romance author Rosie Graham and Spanish professional surfer Lucas Martin (the book follows Armas’ first novel “The Spanish Love Deception” - Rosie is Lina’s best friend!)

Rosie is quite literally forced out of her apartment when her ceiling caves in and rather than retreat to her father’s home in Philadelphia, Rosie takes up temporary residence at her best friend Lina’s Brooklyn studio, while Lina is off on her honeymoon. Unbeknownst to Rosie, Lina has already promised her place to her favorite primo, Lucas as he continues his three-month tour of the United States, spending the tailend of his trip in New York City. And the fun only begins there as Rosie realizes that the guy she’s been Insta-stalking for the better part of the last few months is now sharing space with her!

“The American Roommate Experiment” is a contemporary romantic comedy centered around the friends to lovers, forced proximity, one bed, and fake dating tropes. The novel delves into topics such as career changes, imposter syndrome, mental health, family, and love and worth. I found that Rosie’s struggle with imposter syndrome after changing careers was relatable - who hasn’t experienced that? I appreciated that the author also touched upon Lucas’s anxiety surrounding his career-ending surfing accident - as a fellow anxiety sufferer I felt his insights were raw and authentic. (And can I say I love that Armas included Taco, the trained service dog?)

If you’re looking for a light-hearted romance read with enduring characters, big, sweeping romantic gestures, and steamy scenes that will make you squirm with anticipation, check out Elena Amras’ “The American Roommate Experiment.”

Book Review: "A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows" by Holly Renee

Holly Renee weaves a spellbinding tapestry of imagination, crafting a vivid and intricately detailed world that will leave you breathless. From the majestic landscapes to the bustling city, every aspect of the kingdom feels alive and immersive. With her eloquent prose, the author effortlessly paints a picture in our minds, enabling us to wander through this fantastical realm with awe and wonder. The depth of the world-building is truly commendable, making it easy to suspend disbelief and fully immerse oneself in this breathtaking universe.

In "A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows," Renee introduces a cast of characters that will steal your heart and take up permanent residence within your imagination, including heroine Adara, a Starblessed human fated to marry the Fae prince Gavril. Along with Evren, bastard son to King Riven, each character is meticulously crafted with distinct personalities, hidden depths & atrocious truths, and a unique role to play in the grand tapestry of the series. Their growth, struggles, and relationships begin to be beautifully explored in this book (and in the subsequent books that follow), leaving us emotionally invested and yearning for more.

At the heart of this exceptional narrative lies an epic tale of magic and intrigue. The plot unfolds with meticulous precision, blending elements of political maneuvering, ancient prophecies, and pulse-pounding action sequences. Adara fights her destiny, as Evren is tasked with keeping the bride-to-be safe - and in the process setting the scene for the ultimate “steal the girl” showdown between the brother princes. Renee masterfully balances suspense and revelation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats and eagerly turning pages to unravel the secrets of this mesmerizing kingdom. Every twist and turn is cleverly executed, leaving us gasping in surprise and longing for the next revelation. Adara and Evren’s chemistry is palpable and Renee does not skimp on the spice!

"A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows" is a well-crafted fantasy romance that will leave a lasting impression on readers. With its compelling characters, intricate world-building, and a narrative that is as enthralling as it is poignant, this book is a must-read for fans of fantasy, adventure, and romance.

Once Upon a Time

Hello readers!

I'm Kristin - a former educator who spent the last 14 years as a public school special education teacher. I left the classroom last May and have spent the last year working in the non-profit sector for an organization that specializes in educational content and curriculum for educators, advocacy, and parent education. I have absolutely loved working for this organization and - so far - have not regretted my decision to leave the classroom.

As an educator, so much of my life - both at school and beyond - revolved around my work...IEPs, paperwork, progress reports, lesson plans, grading, adjunct duties, classroom management, behavior plans, and more. I was taking work home and the line between my personal life and work was non-existent.

Leaving the classroom has done more for my mental health in the last year than anything else. My work day ends at 4:30pm and I don't worry about having to finish projects, work on reports, or send emails that I didn't get to. All of it will be there the next morning when I sign back on. And there's no guilt for not finishing those things.

What does this have to do with the journey of this blog? In the last year, I've had more "me time" than I ever had while working in the classroom - which includes having more time to indulge in my passions and hobbies, such as reading. I've read more books in the last year than I have ever read annually for the last 14 years (a total of 153+ books). Reading brings me so much joy. I love being transported to far-away lands, revisiting twisted fairy tales, falling in love with morally gray characters, having my heart broken, and getting that dark happily ever after.

I wanted to start a blog (and subsequent podcast) about my adventures in reading. I love writing...and I love reading, and what better way to combine both interests than in a blog about reading and books? You can expect posts centered around book reviews, trips to explore local bookstores and libraries, hauls and more. If you're looking to connect, make sure to bookmark and follow this blog and connect with me on Instagram. Looking forward to talking books soon!

Until the next chapter, Kristin