August 2017 Favorites

I'm not going to sugarcoat it; being back in teaching mode is KICKING MY ASS. I'm not reading anywhere near as many books as I was (which is so depressing) and I'm tired. The good news is I have fantastic students this year. The bad news is .... really not bad news, I'm just longing to read and grade less. August was a month of adjustment but in the midst of that, we found some really fantastic reads. If these look good to you, click on the image and read more on Amazon.

Fallen Heir by Erin Watt --"With glimpses of Ella and Reed, Easton and Savannah, Lauren (don't even get me started on her. OMG.) and the twins, Fallen Heir is a novel that has me thirsty for more." (Our Review)

Wish You Were Here by Renee Carlino -- "Renee Carlino knew better than me and Helen and Chucky and the parents and allowed Charlotte to have the journey she absolutely need to have. And what a journey it was--it was quirky and funny and enlightening; it was sweet and sad and joyful...and at times frustrating. It was exactly what I needed and I didn't even know I needed it. Isn't that the best?" (Our Review)

Illegal Contact by Santino Hassell-- " ...very single time I pick up a new novel of his, I can't help feeling compelled to speed to the finish as I'm simultaneously putting the brakes on to slow down and savor every chapter. Everything I read of his solidifies that something I've known since the first novel I read of his and that's this: I will buy, read, and rave about anything he writes, no matter the genre or the topic." (Our Review)

Crave pt. 1 by E.K. Blair -- "You guys. Grab this book if you want a book that tackles something fairly taboo in the realm of teen characters, if you want to read about two characters who are dealing with some family issues and yet can somehow not let those be barriers to finding love in each other, if you want to read about a really good portrayal of guys and girls being actual friends, and if you want to feel some things...especially in the last parts of this novel. " ( Our Review)

So Good by Nicola Rendell-- "Nicola Rendell, how do you keep doing it? You keep one upping yourself and as one of vast numbers of readers on the receiving end of your talent, I have to say THANK YOU. So Good  continues your reign as a Queen of Comedy. " (Our Review)

You guys, it was hard to pick favorites this month; we ended up leaving a ton off the list that were really really good (check out our side bar for all of our August reviews). We think this list gives you a nice selection to choose from. Enjoy and happy reading!

February Favorites + Trend Watching

It's been quiet in our corner of the world. I think it took us a while to recover from end of the year holiday rush and then BOOM! Mardi Gras season hit and it's taken us a while to get our heads back in the game.

 One trend I'm noticing in these early months of 2017 is definite increase in the number of duets and trilogies that have been coming our way and I'm secretly wondering if authors are trying to kill us off with their cliffhangers. I'm currently reading book 2 of a trilogy and I am actually boycotting the ending because I anticipate it's going to be pretty rough. It's funny though because as much as I'm dreading the ending, I'm looking forward to it too. I must be a masochist.

A few other trends I'm watching--a continuance of writers partnering together (so far, that's been a great trend!), more athletes (can we have more female athletes, please?!--and maybe something other than football?), more mature YA (I've been digging this a lot!), and I'm starting to see a trickling of politicians, and a small resurgence of billionaires and rock stars--though I guess none of these really ever went totally out of style.

A final thing I've been reading more of and enjoying: realistic fiction in YA and romance. I love a good fantasy like anyone else, but I've been enjoying the realism I'm reading too--it makes it that more powerful when the final word is read.

Enough of my rambles, here's really why you're here--the picks of the month. If you want to know more or purchase them, click on the book cover.


  Staci Hart decided to break our hearts and then put them back together, so if you're down for a serious case of the feels, this is the book for you. Find our review here.

 This series by MegTino ☺ feels so fresh-it takes on various aspects of cyber romance and always includes diverse characters and offers perspectives we want to read more of. Our reviews are here and here.

Karina Halle annihilated us with this first book and we're making grabby hands for the next one. See why we're dying for it here.

Book six in the Bellator Saga arrived and we devoured it. Cecilia London made this final book feel like a balm that healed all the wounds she inflicted in the first five books. Our review is here.

 After all of the heart stomping, we craved something a little more light-hearted and we found it in this royal series by Emma Chase. Read what we thought about it here.





I should warn you that next month we're going to be ranting and raving about the books we're currently reviewing--this should be a fun month of reviews. Until then, happy reading!