Alizée
Leah Konen's Keep Your Friends Close is a gripping, character-driven story that explores jealousy, social status, and the fallout of divorce. The narrative structure keeps the story engaging, and the characters are layered and believable. A cleverly executed twist toward the end left me pleasantly surprised, making this a satisfying, tension-filled read about friendship, rivalry, and hidden motives.
I liked how the vampires & werevolves were imagined, and the overall story was great! We've got an arranged marriage trope, a friend that disappeared and a kid to protect - it creates a great story with interesting characters and dynamics.
However, too many explicit scenes used as filler - did not enjoyed these moments.
A very simple, straightforward romance. I was hoping for a bit more D&D but the focus is mainly on Riley and her musical's aspiration. Which is a pity, because I loved the few scenes of game we've got. The first one actually encouraged me to continue the story and not DNf the book.
Riley's tendency to hide things from her parents and hope for the best irritated me a bit. We start the story with her being grounded for lying, and she assured her mum that she is learning from her mistakes, yet she continues to lie about her whereabouts... talk about growth and accountability.
Wow! What a surprising vampire-revisited story!
If you're into vampire court, political intrigue, spy story and dark magic, this book is definitely for you. I loved loved our main characters:
- Shan is the perfect morally gray heroine, she is not afraid to kill and bend a few of her morals to protect her own and get her plan into motions. She also have that bad-girl vibe and is overall an interesting character.
- It took me a bit more time to fully appreciate Samuel. Burdened by his past and his gift, he is quite cautious and almost too passive at the beginning, but as he discovered and adapt to the Blood Workers world, he is getting some confidence - The Epilogue is quite promising on this front and I can't wait to see his evolution in book2.
We also have a very well-rounded plot with lot of unforeseen twists, making the story gripping. And I did not see the end coming, between our real culprit and how he breaks from the mold.
Can we talk about the MAGIC? (if we can call it that). It definitely gives some vampire vibes but Blood Working seems much more complex than just feeding on blood. I do regret that we did not see too much of it - but we are promised some further application so hopefully in the next book we will see a bit more.
And finally, the social commentary. Our world is divided between Blood Workers and Unblooded, the former being at the top of the social hierarchy, the latter being treated quite poorly by the government and the nobles. The growing civil discontent was quite interesting to see, especially in how it impacted Shan's plans and the overall plot of the novel.
All in all, I had a great time and I can't wait to get the sequel!
Short but impactful, this quiet story invites us to look inward and question what it really means to be good. When life is comfortable, are we doing enough to help those in need?
Bill Furlong, an ordinary coal merchant, begins to sense something troubling at the local convent school. Around Christmas, he starts to question not only the institution's purpose, but also his own role in a society that prefers to look away.
This novella explores Christian hypocrisy, Irish history, and the role of women within constrained and complicit communities. Through sparse yet powerful prose, Claire Keegan captures a moment of quiet moral courage in the face of systemic cruelty.
4 stars - recommended!
I was not able to finish this book - and I struggled to go as far as I went. While the context is interesting (curse breaking in an old Scottish Castle? YES), the characters annoyed me greatly ... and the plot did not hide any surprises. It could still have been enjoyable, like an easy, cosy, low-stake read if there was not explicit contents so early in the book and in such quantity.
Not for me – Spice +++
⭐ 4 stars
As a Swiftie, I was immediately curious when I heard The Break Up Tour had been loosely inspired by Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. The cover certainly sets that vibe: blonde pop star, breakup songs, glittering costumes, and public scrutiny over her romantic life. But once I started reading, I realized this book stands fully on its own.
This is a romance about fame, vulnerability, and what it means to create art from your own heartbreak. Riley's songwriting process was one of my favorite parts — “Writing can feel like cutting out my own heart, but sometimes cutting out my heart is the only way to stop the heart.” The book beautifully portrays how personal experiences become music that connects with millions, even as that vulnerability leaves the artist exposed.
The romance with Max was both sweet and complicated: childhood best friends who have grown into different people with different dreams. Max wants peace; Riley wants fame — and that conflict makes their relationship feel authentic and earned. I also appreciated the emotional honesty in the breakup moment (yes, I teared up) and how they ultimately find a way to reconcile both love and ambition.
The book also touches on the darker side of fame: manipulative exes, public image control, and the ways women in the industry are sometimes treated like trophies for their male counterparts. Riley's quiet strength as she tries to assert herself — not through scandal, but through steady, intentional action — felt very realistic.
It's more than a loosely-inspired Taylor Swift story—it's a beautiful look at the cost and power of sharing your heart with the world:
“Daring to stretch the limits of where I becomes we.”
If you love romance with an emotional core, a behind-the-scenes peek at fame, and complex characters navigating ambition and love, definitely give this one a try.
This was a sweet romance around fame, self-confidence and grief. Mike is a NHL hockey player who recently lost his wife. He is struggling with grief, juggling domestic life and his professional career. Aurora throw away a professional career in ballet and is now teaching jazz and tap in a small dance studio, trying to get her life back on track. But when her path cross Mike, who was the inspiration behind her fake Canadian boyfriend in highschool, things get complicated... for the better and the worst.
I really enjoyed our main characters'struggle with mental health and how this is explored through their relationship. Aurora's story with her mum is quite poignant and well-established, especially as she fight against past trauma and rebuild herself.
But I found the story to be a bit too long or too slow. It was mundane, a bit repetitive in some character's choice and discourse and no character felt intriguing enough for me. Sure there is some cute and funny moments, some deep discussions as well, but it was interrupted by long moments of day-to-day life and self-doubt.
Favourite quote: “When you're having doubts, or negative thoughts about behaviors or desires, sometimes it can be useful to ask what the source of those feelings is. Is it you, or is it an idea you have about how society, or the people in your life, are going to react?”
4 stars
(Plot - 4, Enjoyment - 5, Characters - 4, Heart - 5, Artistry - 3)
I really enjoyed this quick romance, and especially all the discussion around pregnancy. I've read this book a couple of days before my own due date (trying to pass the time) and I was able to identify myself so easily with Eve. Becoming a mother is an experience in itself, and I loved how we follow her through the thought process.
The fact that she is a single parent adds a certain perspective to the pregnancy and the list of worries she has, but I love how she got a strong support system. For anyone who wants to get pregnant, get yourself a Shep. This character alone was the perfect support system - a bit too perfect if you want my opinion :D
This was a light romance, full of pregnancy insights and I loved it. I cried, and I don't know if it's because that messy love declaration was influenced by Eve's pregnancy hormones, or if it's because I was influenced by my own baby hormones. But one thing is certain: this book touched me!
I will recommend for anyone who wants a bit more heartfelt romance, with “grown-up” characters, and a pregnancy story.
Une lecture aussi déroutante que stimulante. J'ai eu du mal à entrer dans l'univers au début à cause du jargon scientifique, mais l'enquête menée par les fourmis, le mystère de la cave et la rencontre entre les mondes humain et insecte m'ont totalement happée. Un mélange étonnant de science-fiction, thriller et réflexion philosophique que je suis curieuse de poursuivre dans les tomes suivants.
-> Pour un avis plus développé, RDV sur TheWanderlustlibrary.com le 5/06
(ENGLISH)
This was a strange but fascinating read. I struggled a bit at first with the dense scientific language and the detailed insect worldbuilding, but once the mystery kicked in—both underground with the ants and in the human world—I was hooked. The book blends science fiction, philosophy, and thriller in a way that feels fresh and unexpected. I'm really curious to see where the series goes next!
-> Wait for a more in-depth review on IG/YT @thewanderlustlibrarian
Full of interesting information, this book allowed me to think about important aspects of parenthood without feeling lost on the internet. Careful however, this is heavily Amercian-based and I would have liked a bit more discussion around the benefits/inconvenience for the mother (especially when it comes to breastfeeding, parental leave etc.)
Livre d'intérêt publique, qui contextualise et met en lumière les enjeux géopolitiques et geo-économiques des 3 grands conflits actuels. Un appel également à l'Europe de se réveiller et de faire une analyse plus géostratégique de la situation mondiale.
L'Europe n'est plus le centre du monde, mais doit-elle se faire coincer entre les super puissances de la Chine et des USA ?
4⭐
A slow-burn, ethically charged speculative novel where time travel meets post-colonial politics. The romance is unsettling, not swoony — shaped by control and power imbalance. I loved the introspection and the exploration of identity, even if the first half made me want to shake the protagonist. A quiet but thought-provoking read for those who like their sci-fi soft and political.
Full review - https://thewanderlustlibrary.wordpress.com/?p=779
Haunting, powerful, and disturbingly plausible.
Parable of the Sower paints a dystopian future that feels uncomfortably close to home—set in 2024 but echoing so many of today's social, political, and environmental issues. Through Lauren Olamina's journal entries, Butler offers an intimate, gripping narrative about survival, belief, and the power of community. This isn't an easy read—violence, inequality, and loss are everywhere—but it's also full of stubborn hope. Lauren's vision, her philosophy of Earthseed, and her resilience stayed with me long after the last page. A chilling wake-up call that somehow also manages to be inspiring.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://thewanderlustlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/06/27/why-you-should-read-parable-of-the-sower-in-2025/
✨ The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is a heartfelt, whimsical novel about second chances, childhood dreams, and the power of stories. This book completely swept me away—I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with its characters.
Lucy's journey, Hugo's quiet resilience, and Jack's enigmatic presence make for an emotionally rich story that explores trauma, healing, and the lasting impact of books. Shaffer masterfully blends fairytale-like whimsy with profound reflections on love, loss, and what it truly means to fight for your dreams.
If you love books that leave an emotional imprint and celebrate the magic of storytelling, this is a must-read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Full review on Wordpress
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Gwen & Art Are Not in Love completely took me by surprise in the best way! I expected a fun, lighthearted Arthurian retelling (which it definitely is), but I wasn't prepared for the witty banter, lovable characters, and deeper political themes woven into the story. The dual POV worked so well, and I adored how naturally the LGBTQ+ romance unfolded. Arthur is bold and hilarious, Gwen is determined and thoughtful, and their reluctant friendship was such a joy to read. Also, the slow-burning political intrigue? Chef's kiss!
If you love historical retellings with humor, heart, and a fresh take on classic legends, definitely add this one to your TBR!
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J'ai eu beaucoup de mal à finir ce livre - j'ai trouvé la narration passive et la plume pleine de floriture... presque pompeuse. J'ai persisté car c'est un court roman et Marie Darrieussecq est une autrice française renommée, mais cette lecture a été une corvée. Je ne suis même pas sûre d'avoir compris la fin.
Définitivement pas pour tout le monde, mais un joli exercice de style sur comment les mots façonnent la réalité.
2.2/5
Plot - 4/5
Enjoyment - 2/5
Artistry - 3/5
Characters - 3.5/5 (too many of them)
Heart - 2/5
Total - 14.5/25
Rating this book 2.9 stars hurt because I was so excited about diving in the final instalment of Lila & Kell's story. But... it was incredibly slow. The first half of the book was a chore and everytime we were offered a potential resolution, I had to remind myself that I was not yet through 50% of the book. And when a book is 600+ pages, it is a lot.
The constant changes of POV really distracted me and broke the rythme for me. I see what V.E.Schwab tried to do but I think a bit more editing could have been done in the chapters.
The plot was great -it was complex (maybe too complex for a final book?) but I wish it would have been more balanced between the 2nd and 3rd book. There is a lot happening, too much and while I appreciated the world to be developed and showed that much, I think for once we could have seen less and appreciate the story all the same.
I often complain that fantasy books are too predictable and solutions too easy - here it is definitely the contrary but the delivery felt too heavy, taking away for me the suprise of a plot twist or the elaboration of a character.
Full review: https://thewanderlustlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/03/02/grand-complex-and-overwhelming-my-thoughts-on-a-conjuring-of-light/
Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness felt like coming home. While I expected a deep dive into Marcus's past, I was pleasantly surprised by the dual narrative—balancing his revolutionary-era struggles with Phoebe's present-day transformation. It's a quieter, more introspective book than the All Souls trilogy, but just as rich in history, lore, and character depth.
I loved seeing familiar faces in a more relaxed setting, particularly Matthew's softer side and Diana's growing confidence. And, of course, Harkness's historical research is as immersive as ever—especially the fascinating details surrounding the French and American Revolutions.
The ending felt a bit rushed, but overall, this book deepened my love for the All Souls universe. And it left me with so many questions—especially about the twins and their magical potential.
Curious about my full breakdown? I dive deeper into character arcs, vampire lore, and my lingering theories over on my blog: Thewanderlustlibrary.com
3,5 ⭐
Sunbringer delivers another gripping dive into a world of gods, power, and faith, with strong themes and compelling character arcs. Kissen's journey remains a highlight, Skediceth's growth surprised me in the best way, and the lore continues to impress. However, I struggled at first due to the lack of a recap and the abundance of POVs, which made it harder to stay immersed—especially early on. That said, the book builds momentum with great twists and high stakes, leaving me eager for the finale.
Et du ciel tombèrent trois pommes est un roman à la fois poignant et délicat, qui nous plonge dans le village reculé de Marane, un lieu figé hors du temps, marqué par les tragédies mais aussi par une résilience profonde. À travers Anatolia, persuadée que la mort l'attend, Narine Abgarian tisse un récit où le malheur et la lumière s'entrelacent, porté par une plume contemplative et poétique.
Loin d'être un récit pesant, ce livre respire une douce mélancolie teintée d'espoir. Les personnages, soudés par les épreuves, avancent avec une simplicité touchante, et le village, malgré ses cicatrices, continue d'exister. Un roman hors du temps, imprégné de traditions et de croyances, qui célèbre la force des liens humains et la capacité à renaître, même après les pires tempêtes.
Chronique complète - https://thewanderlustlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/02/25/un-conte-intemporel-de-resilience-et-despoir-et-du-ciel-tomberent-trois-pommes/