Genevieve

I’ve always been a huge Brandy fan, so I already knew I was going to pick up this memoir. Getting a behind the scenes look at some of the biggest moments in her life, like the situation with Wanya, working with Whitney Houston, her time on Thea and Moesha, the tension with Monica, and even the hiatus she took, was really interesting.

What stood out to me the most was how vulnerable she was. She shared parts of her story that I honestly wasn’t expecting, and I appreciated how open and honest she allowed herself to be.

I read along while listening to the audiobook, and it honestly made the experience even better. Hearing her tell her own story just made everything feel more personal.

I really enjoyed it. It gave me a deeper understanding of her journey, not just as an artist but as a person.

We follow Rhythm and Channing, two people dealing with chemistry and complicated feelings, trying to figure out what they really want from each other.

This was an okay read for me. It was entertaining and kept me reading, but it’s not one I’m going to be thinking about for a long time.

Some of the dialogue kind of took me out of the story a little. I’m not even gonna lie, the MMC was doing a bit much. The way he was trying to come off dominant just felt forced at times and a little cringey.

This is my second book by this author, and I can see her writing style, but this one just didn’t fully hit for me. Still a decent, easy read.

This book started off really strong for me, it pulled me in right away and had me fully engaged from the beginning.

We follow a Mi’kmaq family whose lives are forever changed when their young daughter goes missing while they’re working in the berry fields, and we also follow another perspective that slowly connects back to that loss in a really impactful way.

I loved the writing, It’s thoughtful, and really centers on loss, family, and identity in a way that sticks with you.

I did enjoy this story. It’s emotional, meaningful, and one that will definitely stay on my mind.

Not a new favorite, but definitely worth the read.

I’ve enjoyed my fair share of Abby Jimenez books, but this one didn’t hit the same for me.

We follow Kristen and Joshua, two people who get pulled into each other’s lives suddenly, and have to navigate feelings, timing, and everything that comes with opening up to someone new.

Kristen (the FMC) really started to get on my nerves because she kept assuming what Joshua (the MMC) wanted instead of just talking to him. A simple honest conversation could’ve solved so many of their issues, and that lack of communication made parts of the story frustrating for me.

That being said, it was still a good read, and I’m definitely interested enough to continue the series, it just wasn’t a favorite.

I love me some Kennedy Ryan, there’s something about a second chance romance that gets me every time, had my attention from the start.

We follow Takira and Naz, who first meet at 18 and instantly have that intense chemistry. Fast forward 12 years, and they cross paths again as grown adults, both successful, both having chased their dreams, but still searching for something real when it comes to love. But when it comes to their past, a second chance comes with some risks and consequences.

This is a shorter read, but it still gives you that emotional pull as we watch two people who are clearly meant to be find their way back to each other. Their journey felt natural, and I really enjoyed seeing how everything unfolded between them.

The banter, was so good. The chemistry, was next level. And yes, this one is spicy 🌶️ 🌶️

If you’ve read the Hoops series, you’ll see some familiar faces, and I thought that was a nice touch.

I really enjoyed this one. The storyline was beautifully done, and it’s the perfect quick read to pull you out of a slump or hold you over until The Score drops in May.

Every single book I’ve read by A.E. Valdez has been amazing, and North King: Unexpected Inevitability is no exception. At this point, she’s not even an auto buy author anymore, she’s an auto read immediately, drop everything, don’t talk to me author.

In this installment of the King brothers series, we follow North, the youngest brother, and Aspen. What starts off as a genuine friendship slowly evolves into something deeper, more intense, and ultimately, something that feels like fate. I honestly felt like I was watching two people become soulmates in real time.

One thing I absolutely love about her writing is how she captures real life situations and mature, grown love. The relationships feel authentic, layered, and emotionally grounded, which makes the romance hit even harder.

I always get so excited when characters from previous books make special appearances. It adds such a rich sense of connection to the entire series.

Now listen, this is definitely a spicy read, but it’s balanced with heart, depth, and undeniable chemistry.

A.E. Valdez did it again. No notes. Just perfection.

Although I enjoyed this book, I didn’t connect with it as emotionally as many others seem to. Kristin Hannah did a really good job telling a powerful story set during World War II, and I appreciated how engaging the storyline felt.

We follow two sisters, Isabelle and Vianne, who are complete opposites and approach the war in very different ways. Early on, I really felt for Vianne, especially with her husband leaving to fight and her being forced to hold everything together at home. But as the story progressed, I found myself growing frustrated with her. Some of her choices honestly pissed me off, even though I understand that we never truly know how we’d react in those situations…Shit, I do! I’d have to be that ride or die and hold my family down in my husband’s absence.

Now Isabelle, She is that girl. Despite being young, she was bold, determined, and ready to take action. I loved her fire and resilience, and she easily became my favorite POV to follow.

There were several moments in this book that were devastatingly vivid and felt incredibly real. Those scenes really stuck out to me and were a big part of what kept me engaged.

While the story did take some time to pick up, the ending completely delivered. Kristin Hannah brought everything together beautifully, and it honestly felt like the perfect conclusion to these character’s journeys.

Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson is a powerful courtroom drama that follows Judge Mary Stone, a young 13 year old girl named Nova, and Dr. Bria Gaines as they become entangled in a trial that impacts each of their lives in deeply different ways. As the case unfolds, the story tackles heavy, real world issues while exploring justice, morality, and the personal weight of the courtroom.

Judge Mary Stone,I ABSOLUTELY LOVED her. She’s a no nonsense judge who doesn’t take any mess, and I was here for every moment of it. The District Attorney and Nova’s mom, they had me irritated and pissed me off the entire time. And Nova, my heart broke for her. She’s only 13 and goes through so much, it was hard not to feel everything right along with her.

I listened to this on audio (thank you NetGalley & Hachette Audio for the ARC), and let me just say, Viola Davis absolutely delivered with this narration. Her voice is so powerful and commanding, she brought every character to life. It honestly felt like I was watching a movie instead of listening to a book.

The writing was strong, the pacing kept me engaged, and it truly was a page turner from start to finish.

Please check your triggers before reading, this book covers heavy topics like abortion, racism, rape, and death.

This exceeded my expectations. It was emotional, frustrating, powerful, and unforgettable.

This book is absolutely wild! It follows Jason, a man who wakes up with no memory and no idea where he is, as he tries to get to a meeting he’s convinced he’s supposed to attend.

My husband and I ended up reading this together, well, technically I started it because he let me listen to the first two minutes of the audiobook, and I was instantly hooked.

I loved all the chaos and twists along the way, and the ending completely blew my mind. I honestly thought I was getting inside the mind of someone with schizophrenia… but nope, David had me totally shocked.

I’m giving this a solid 4⭐️, and can we talk about the cover? Gorgeous in a dark, horror kind of way!

This quick 78 page novella follows River, a single mom who rarely gets time for herself, and Mike, a billionaire with a secret passion for BDSM. They meet online, and connect right away, and before she knows it, she’s on an exclusive 72 hour getaway filled with luxury, adventure, and, a lot of steamy moments.

I’m not usually into spicy reads, and this one definitely was spicy, but it was handled tastefully enough that it didn’t bother me. My only minor annoyance was the repeated use of the word “daddy,” which felt a bit much at times. Still, the story was engaging, fun, and a quick escape. I enjoyed it overall and would recommend it to those looking for a short, steamy read.

Imagine meeting the person of your dreams at a college party. She’s drunk, so you make sure she gets home safe, tuck her into bed, and leave a note that says “Call me.”

But she never gets the note… and instead falls in love with and marries your best friend.

Now imagine spending the next 12 years watching her love someone else.

This is a multi POV story that follows Sloan and Dominic as they navigate grief, complicated feelings, and healing. Sloan is still trying to figure out life four years after losing her husband, Eric, while Dominic, Eric’s best friend, has been holding onto feelings he kept buried for years.

This one is definitely spicy, and while I’m not usually a huge spice reader, I still really enjoyed it because the story and emotional tension kept me invested.

This was my first J. L. Seegars read, and it definitely made me want to check out the rest of this series, it’s connected but each book can be read as a stand alone.

I went into this book completely blind since it was my book club’s March pick, and honestly, I’m still not sure if that helped or hurt my experience.

For the most part, I enjoyed the story. We follow Cora Zeng and her two friends as they try to navigate life in America during COVID, a time when Asian communities were being blamed and targeted. The book really highlights the ignorance, racism, and outright cruelty people can face just for existing. Sadly, history shows that different minority groups go through phases where they’re unfairly targeted, and this story doesn’t shy away from that reality.

I can see why this falls into the horror genre, but it just wasn’t creepy enough for me. I was expecting something a little more intense or unsettling. The horror elements didn’t quite hit the way I wanted, which is why this wasn’t a full 5 star read for me.

That said, the book does an excellent job showing the emotional toll of racism and how exhausting it can be to constantly deal with ignorance and hatred. Some of the situations felt painfully real, and that aspect of the story was probably the most impactful.

My favorite part of the book was the author’s note. It added a lot of context and made the message behind the story even more meaningful.

This was a good read for me, maybe not the horror experience I wanted, but still a story that highlights real issues and conversations that are important to have.