Fat Stack Friday May 30, 2025

Happy Friday! Look what I got this past week. Lots of goodies!

Kindle:

Crossing Paths by Katie Ruggle

This looked cute so on the Kindle it went!

Desserts for Stressed People by Letizia Lorini

I had seen the second book in this series around so I got the first to go along!

Get Lost with You by Sophie Sullivan

Another cute cover and one that I just had to get!

Love and Other Paradoxes by Catriona Silvey

I really loved the title this book. Judge a book by it's title? YES PLEASE!

Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan

This one goes along with the one above!

My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein

Another cute title!

Neve Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff

Saw this around NetGalley so had to have it when it published.

Spring Fling by Annie England Noblin

This one was also on NetGalley and I passed on it as i had too many to review already,

The Scenic Route by Katie Ruggle

Got this one because of the one all the way at the top.

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne by Emily Critchley

Liked how this one sounded!

The Wedding Menu by Letizia Lorini

Got the first so I could get the second!

Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

Most anticipated and already read. So good. Ali is QUEEN!

To review:

Uncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood

I did a read now with the first book by this author and really enjoyed it. This one sounds even better!

The Lion in the Library by Amy Award

I am loving The Cocky Kingsmans series so when I had the opportunity to get an early copy of this, I took it. Already read it and will be reviewing soon!

In the mail:

A Song of Legends Lost by M.H. Ayinde

My Illumicrate monthly. I have no idea what it's about!

Queen B by Juno Dawson

I love this series and have the first two SE so my kids bought this one for me for Mother's Day.

The Shadow Bride by Shelby Mahurin

I really enjoyed this duology. Plus this book is so pretty and matches well with the first one.

What did you get this week?

ARC Review: Rewitched (Rewitched #1) by Lucy Jane Wood

Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while, either.

Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books with protecting it from her toxic boss, who’s running it into the ground, and all the while concealing her witchcraft from the non-wicches around her – Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind.

But when her 30th birthday brings a summons from her coven, and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With the month of October to fix things, and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure, and even an (infuriatingly handsome) watchman who’s sworn to protect her . . .

With found family, slow burn romance and an uplifting message about self-love, this is the cosy, autumnal read that you've been waiting for.

Title: Rewitched (Rewitched #1)

Author: Lucy Jane Wood

Publisher: ACE

Publication Date: September 19, 2024

Review:

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I love a good witchy story. And this one was read now and caught my eye in an email. I'm so glad I read it. It was adorable. 

Belladonna Blackthorn barely uses her magic. She's called to her witchy trial to see if it needs to be taken away. She must prove her worth. With a witch who has been ousted and her keeper by her side, can she get through the trials?

Belle was such a great character. I loved that she used her powers for easy things and had no idea of her true power. It's fun how she slowly finds it. It's also great that she winds up in a situation where she must solve a mystery all the while finding her witchy way.

Rune was so sweet. He's got a bit of mystery to him and is a bit reserved. But you can see his snark and fun hidden just beneath his surface. I really wish he would have had more page time, to be honest. This one would have been fun as a dual POV. But he treats Belle with such kindness and helps her see she is worth all things witchy.

And the romance? It's not the center of the story but it's there in such a sweet way. I loved how it was simple and Belle and Rune grew into each other.

The side characters are great, as well. I loved the animals and Belle's best friend!

I will say there were some slow parts but over all the pacing was nice. 

If you're looking for a cozy fantasy, pick this one up. Great for lovers of Assistant to the Villain and Legends and Lattes. I'm looking forward to reading the next story!

Author:

I found myself falling into the world of writing almost by accident. My blogging friends at university were applying for swanky magazine internships, and I decided I should probably do something useful like that for myself. It was an obvious decision that almost made itself on my behalf, because writing is just who I am, and reading has always just been what I do.

Since happily stumbling my way into my first paid writing position for teen website Sugarscape back in 2013, I've been lucky and thrilled to find myself working freelance for giant titles like Marie Claire US, Cosmopolitan UK, MTV and Metro amongst others.

I am currently attempting to write my first fiction book. Wish me luck! I'm going slowly insane with it, and I am reassuringly told that's a good sign.

 

ARC Review: Last Night Was Fun by Holly MIchelle

You’ve Got Mail meets The Hating Game! Vying for a promotion against a bitter rival as the only female data analyst for a professional baseball team, Emmy finds solace in the text-flirting relationship that started as a wrong number exchange—unaware that the man she’s texting is the one she’s fighting for the promotion.

Emmy Jameson lives by three no dating, no sharing personal news at work, and baseball above everything. As the only female data analyst for a professional baseball team, Emmy is constantly trying to prove herself.

Especially when she’s put up for a senior analyst position against her arrogant, infuriating coworker Gabe Olson. Sure, he’s gorgeous and smart and he was a baseball star in college who knows the sport inside and out, but so does Emmy. She is not going to lose to him again. There will be no distractions this summer. Not even her sister’s pending destination wedding in Mexico for which she needs to find a plus one.

But then she receives a text from an unknown number with a simple  “Last night was fun.” When she strikes up a conversation with the mystery texter, they realize that he was given a fake phone number after a bad date that just so happened to be Emmy’s. Despite her rules, Emmy can’t deny the instant connection she feels and soon finds herself falling for the stranger on the other side of the screen…and inviting him to her sister’s wedding.

Emmy’s world turns upside down when her mystery man turns out to be none other than Gabe Olson. They are left having to travel to the wedding together while trying to sort out which version of their relationship is their in-person rivalry or the deep connection they found in their messages.

Title: Last Night Was Fun

Author: Holly Michelle

Publisher: Avon

Expected Publication Date: June 10, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Avon Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinion expressed here are my own.

You had me at You've Got Mail. One of my favorite movies. I just love a mistaken identity trope!

Emmy Jameson has rules: no dating, no personal interactions at work, and baseball above all else. At work, she's competing or a promotion against her nemesis, Gabe Olsen. They are like oil and vinegar and she's determined to beat him for the title.. When she receives a random text and strikes up communication with the sender, she finds herself opening up about things she never thought she would. Little does she know the sender is none other than her nemesis.

Emmy is a great character. But boy does she have some unsolved trauma. She definitely works through a lot throughout the book. And a woman in a man's world made her life even harder. She had to fight for everything to show she was worthy of her job. I hated that for her but it wasn't unrelatable. I enjoyed her development and her relationships with her coworkers, best friend, and parents.

Gabe is a tight lipped character. His outside facade is not what he feels inside at all. He presents himself as what he thinks everyone wants to see him while he's secretly so not the way that everyone sees him. I loved his connection to Emmy. I was routing for him the whole time.

The pacing of the book was good. While it took a turn about 50% through, that didn't stop me from wanting to continue to read to see where the story was going. I really enjoyed the slow build romance. Plus there was so much banter I found myself laughing more often than not. And then there's the swoon the author makes you go through. The build up is tense and the culmination worth the wait.

This book was a lot of fun. I was enamored with the text exchanges between Emmy and Gabe. There was some serious flirting and moments of raw honesty that were refreshing. There is a ton of baggage for both characters which of course forces them to look deeply at themselves and how they view relationships. My only complaint with this book was the drop off in that connection at about halfway through the book. While I understand why it happened, it changed the feel of the relationship and tone of the book very quickly and I found myself missing it. 

Overall this one was fun. It's my first book by this author, who I understand has more than one pen name. I would love to read  more from her in the future. A solid swoon worthy beach read!

Author:

Holly James (Holly Michelle) is the author of adult romance and commercial fiction. She holds a PhD in psychology and has worked in both academia and the tech industry. When she’s not reading or writing a book, she can be found on the beach or hiking in the woods. Born and raised in Northern California, she currently lives at the southern end of the state with her husband and their dog. Find her at hollyjamesbooks.com and on Instagram at @hellohollyjames.

 

ARC Review: A Forgery Of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes!

“Everything I love in a story—danger, complex characters, romance, betrayal and gorgeous writing.” —Mary E. Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of Dance of Thieves

Truyan Saigas didn't choose to become a con artist, but after her father is lost at sea, it’s up to her to support her mother and two younger sisters. A gifted art forger, Tru has the unique ability to paint the future, but even such magic is not enough to put her family back together again, or stave off the gangsters demanding payment in blood for her mother’s gambling debts.

Left with few options, Tru agrees to a marriage contract with a mysterious dragon lord. He offers a fresh start for her mother and sisters and elusive answers about her father's disappearance, but in exchange, she must join him in his desolate undersea palace. And she must assist him in a plot to infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle, painting a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms. . . .

Title: A Forger of Fate

Author: Elizabeth Lim

Publisher: Random House Children's 

Expected Publication Date: June 3, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Random House Children's and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I will admit to not knowing much about lore from this culture but give me a Beauty and the Beast or Phantom reference in a blurb and I'm all over it!

Truyan Saigas lives her life as a con artist, hoping to one day use her artistic talents to actually sell her art. When she stumbles upon the town's beastly mysterious dragon lord and they make a bargain for her to be his wife in exchange or the safety and security of her family, she jumps at the chance. It doesn't hurt that the dragon prince assures her her father, who disappeared and was presumed dead five years ago, is alive and can be rescued. She also doesn't plan on falling for the dragon prince, despite his prickly demeanor.

Can we first talk about this cover? It is absolutely gorgeous. I love the colors and the lines. I will admit to having judged this book by the art presented to me. 

I really enjoyed this story. This is my first book by this author and her writing is expressive and easy to read. It flows so well. I don't know much about Eastern lore. Lim does a great job of building the world and explaining the background associated with the things that happen throughout the tale. I loved the otherworld she built and I was especially intrigued by how they got there and what they needed to do to stay there. Plus there are so many interesting characters and different "monsters" I really enjoyed meeting them all. I will say there were times I had to flip back a bit to understand scenes. Many scenes were intense and I think I got caught up in that and would miss the subtle things Lim included in the story.

Tru was a great character. She was easily relatable despite her future site. She cared so much for her family and would do anything to keep them safe and secure. She grew into herself and her "power" during the story. I enjoyed how she used it and didn't abuse it in any way. all she wanted to do was help.

Elang was a harder one to like. He was so prickly and standoffish. I do understand why. But I didn't feel he genuinely fell for Tru in a way that would show he was changed. Likeable enough but not one of my favorite male characters.

This book is definitely for the YA crowd. There's nothing steamy about the romance. It's presented by touch and kissing. It was simple. The pacing was fast at times, slower at others. The overall plot was interesting and kept me wanting to read on to see what would happen. The heartfelt ending was a nice touch.

Overall, I enjoyed the tale and I learned some things about Eastern culture and lore. I'd dive into future books from this author.

Author:

Elizabeth Lim grew up on a hearty staple of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Her passion for storytelling began around age 10, when she started writing fanfics for Sailor Moon, Sweet Valley, and Star Wars, and posted them online to discover, "Wow, people actually read my stuff. And that's kinda cool!" But after one of her teachers told her she had "too much voice" in her essays, Elizabeth took a break from creative writing to focus on not flunking English.

Over the years, Elizabeth became a film and video game composer, and even went so far as to get a doctorate in music composition. But she always missed writing, and turned to penning stories when she needed a breather from grad school. One day, she decided to write and finish a novel -- for kicks, at first, then things became serious -- and she hasn't looked back since.

Elizabeth loves classic film scores, books with a good romance, food (she currently has a soft spot for arepas and Ethiopian food), the color turquoise, overcast skies, English muffins, cycling, and baking. She lives in New York City with her husband.

 

 

Most Anticipated Releases Tuesday May 27, 2025

Check out the books I'm most excited about releasing this week!

It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

I love Monaghan. I will read whatever she writes. I got an early copy of this and you can see my review HERE. It's not by favorite by her but I enjoyed it a lot.

Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood

This is one of my most anticipated releases for this year. I love Hazelwood so much and when I heard about this release I was stoked. I will be diving into this one as soon as I get home from work!

Not So Fast by Karen Booth

I'm all about F1 romance books. This one was super fun as I had a chance to read it early. Check out my review HERE.

Manic Pixie Dream Early by Jenny Hoilday

I've read other Holiday books and they were cute. The blurb had me at Bridgerton meets Ted Lasso. I'm exited to see what this one is about!

What are you anticipating this week?

 

ARC Review: Not So Fast by Karen Booth

 

It’s Formula One—getting revved up is all part of the fun in this sizzling high-octane rom-com for fans of Rush and The Hating Game.

When the curves are  this  dangerous, only a race car driver will do…

Mia Neal is a champion overthinker. Find something, fixate on it and spiral down. Fortunately, she puts that energy to good use: in a podcast about Formula One, her favorite sport in the world. There’s nothing about racing Mia doesn’t adore. The speed. The drivers. The fierce competition. The single-minded ambition. Ironic for a woman who’s changed careers more times than she can count.

Only now her salty takes on gorgeous Brit driver Xander Bishop have gone viral, and the podcast feels more and more like what she’s meant to do… Then Xander’s teammate invites her to the Miami Grand Prix to see F1 up close—and get in Xander’s head. He’s not exactly delighted at all the shade she’s been throwing his way.

It should be all-out war. Instead, Mia and Xander are stunned by the sudden crackle of…something sexual arcing between them. It’s irresistible, unbelievably hot—all Mia’s warning flags are waving. Because this reckless attraction is coming at Mia all too fast…

Title: Not So Fast

Author: Karen Booth

Publisher: Afterglow Books by Harlequin

Expected Publication Date: May 27, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Afterglow Books by Harlequin and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I've been hard up to find a good F1 book. One that integrates the sport and the romance seemlessly. This one does it so well!

I really enjoyed this book. Mia is a down to earth, every day girl who is very relatable. Her neurodivergence is a nice touch for her character. She's flawed and I think this is what makes her so endearing to the reader. She's thrown into the world of F1, so much more than what she could have thought it would be. You can feel her anxiety about being around the drivers, especially her favorite, Xander, after she's thrown shade on his racing in her last few podcasts. Of course their enemies status becomes something more when they start to spend time together. I love that Xander was willing to take care of her mental health throughout the book. It was refreshing to see a male character who gave themself over so easily to  this form of caring. Both characters had distinct personalities and were developed well.

The romance was fun to watch bloom in this one. You definitely see an attraction to begin with but then it makes a slow burn and build. The chemistry was there and the author pushed the relationship at a great pace. It wasn't insta-love which I do not love. It was refined and woven into the plot of the story well.

Booth did a nice job with including the F1 language as well as explanations. I think those who do not know or understand the sport of F1 will do so when reading this book. It wasn't super technical, which was nice.

I loved the pacing of this one. I flew through it. I felt Booth easily switched between the character POVs. I was happy to see both characters giving their view of what was happening. There was lot of humor and fun interactions. Booth's writing was easy to read and flowed well.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I'm happy I had the chance to read it. I would love to explore more of Booth's books in the future. I think F1 fans looking for an easy to read and fun sports romance will enjoy this one.

Author:

Karen Booth is a Midwestern girl transplanted in the South, raised on 80s music and repeated readings of Forever by Judy Blume. She writes steamy contemporary romance and women's fiction. When she isn't creating fictional hunky men and the women who test them, she's listening to music with her kids, honing her Southern cooking skills or sweet-talking her astoundingly supportive husband into whipping up a batch of cocktails.

Fat Stack Friday May 23, 2025

Check out all the goodies I got this week!

NetGalley/Edelweiss:

Red Card (Prescott University #1) by Maren Moore

I'm really into trying sports romance for different sports. This one is rugby! I haven't read a rugby book yet. My college had a rugby team and it was always fascinating to me.

If All Else Sails by Emma 

This one was sent by the publisher. I had it marked as potential request on NetGalley but hadn't clicked request yet. I figured it being sent to me was a sign!

Revolve (Off the Ice #3) by Bal Khabra

I fell in love with Khabra when I read her first book in this series and haven't stopped loving her yet. I was super excited to be approved for this one.

Seven Year Itch (Mountain Men Matchmaker #2) by Amy Daws

I will admit the first book in this series was just ok for me. However, I did fall in love with the characters and really wanted to see where their stories go. 

The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater

I didn't even read the blurb for this one. I saw it was Stiefvater and clicked request. I didn't care what it was about because I love the author. Fingers crossed I love it.

Libby/Hoopla:

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

I love Holly Black. But more than that, I love Lauren Fortgang as a narrator. I was pleasantly surprised to start this and see it was her!

Kindle:

Silver Elite (Silver Elite #1) by Dani Francis

Why, yes, I did jump on this bandwagon. I could not help myself.

Marked by Moonlight (The Moon Chasers #1) by Sophie Jordan

Have you read any Sophie Jordan? She can write romance as well as she writes fantasy. I've loved her for a long time. Excited for new stories from her.

The Knight and the Moth (The Stonewater Kingdom #1) by Rachel Gillig

I adored The Shepard King duology by Gillig. I'm excited to see what this series brings!

Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli

I had this marked as a potential request on NetGalley but I knew I had no time to read it. So I got it as soon as it was published. I love a good island romance!

In the mail:

Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake

This one came from Tor. I have no idea what it's about. I read Gifted and Talented by this author and enjoyed it, though it was a bit odd.

What did you get this week?

 

ARC Review: Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady

 

Rivalry and romance spark when two bookstore managers who are opposites in every way find themselves competing for the same promotion.

Despite managing bookstores on the same Boston street, Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson have never interacted much—Josie’s store focuses on serious literature, and Ryan’s sells romance only. But when the new owner of both stores decides to combine them, the two are thrust into direct competition. Only one manager will be left standing, decided by who turns the most profit over the summer. 

Efficient and detail-oriented Josie instantly clashes with easygoing and disorganized Ryan. Their competing events and contrasting styles lead to more than just frustration—the sparks between them might just set the whole store on fire. Their only solace during this chaos is the friendship they’ve each struck up with an anonymous friend in an online book forum. Little do they know they’re actually chatting with each other.  

As their rivalry heats up in real life, their online relationship grows, and when the walls between their stores come tumbling down, Josie and Ryan realize not all’s fair in love and war. And maybe, if they’re lucky, happily ever afters aren’t just for the books.

Title: Battle of the Bookstores

Author: Ali Brady

Publisher: Berkley

Expected Publication Date: June 3, 2025

Review:

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here aer my own.

I will admit, I didn't even read the blurb for this one. I saw it was Ali Brady and I requested it. I loved their book Until Next Summer, so I was convinced this one would win me over just as much. Then I read the blurb and all I could think was a book about bookstores? What book lover wouldn't love that story?

Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson are rival bookstore owners pitted against each other by their mutual boss. Both are determined to make their store the winner and keep their jobs. As their rivalry fires up, they both turn to their online book friends for advice. But when Ryan finds out Josie is really his online friend, he's determined to move them in the direction of real life friends, even if it means giving up the one thing that has gotten him through the toughest times in his life.

Josie was a fun character with so much emotion. She is a giver and someone who takes care of those around her. She gives a lot of herself. So much so, she is missing out on giving things to herself. I truly enjoyed her relationships with books. It was very relatable for me. I would have liked to see her grow just a bit more. Her trust issues don't resolve for me. 

I think Ryan was probably my favorite character in this book, besides the cats in the bookstore! I love that he has a found family. People who surround him and lift him up and show him his true potential. I also love his connection with books. How they helped him throughout his teens years and into his adult years. I will say it was hard for me to actually picture him. His a giant of a man with Clark Kent looks, but it just didn't click with me. My only issue with him was his knowledge of who Josie is, his online friend, and how he uses that to find out more information about her. It felt unethical and secretive. Knowing Josie's trust issues, I can't believe the guy who is falling for her would do this.

This writing in this book was very different from other Brady books I've read. I have to admit it didn't pull me in as much. I found it difficult to completely connect with the characters because of this.

The story gives a bit of You've Got Mail vibes with is online relationships where people are connecting through their love of books. I really liked this idea. It took You've Got Mail into this century. With all the online forums we have now (Discord, Reddit, etc), it was great to see this woven into a story line.

I will admit, I went into this story with very high expectations having loved Brady's other works. Unfortunately, it didn't meet them as much as I would have liked. Was it cute? Sure! Did the author make it fun to read? Yes! Did I want to put it aside? Nope. As a matter of fact, I read it rather quickly. I just didn't think the writing had the same quality as the other stories I've read. This one read almost like a YA book. The characters did not strike me as what age they were supposed to be. This is what kept me from truly loving the story. I was looking for an adult romance but I didn't get that.

The story is fun with good banter, some fun side characters, and some cute romance. I'll definitely be keeping Brady on my list of go to authors and hope future books are just a bit better than this one.

Author:

Ali Brady is the pen name of writing BFFs Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. They are the USA TODAY Bestselling authors of romantic, heartwarming, funny novels including The Beach Trap, The Comeback Summer, Until Next Summer, and Battle of the Bookstores. Their books have been “best of summer” picks by The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Parade, and Katie Couric Media. Alison lives in Chicago and works as an advertising creative director. She’s also the Founder and Co-President of The Artists Against Antisemitism, and the author of You and Me and Us and Little Pieces of Me. Bradeigh lives in Utah with her husband, four children, and two dogs. She works as a doctor and is the author of psychological thrillers Imposter and The Followers.