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My 5 Star Reads That You Should Get On

Apr 8, 2021

After sharing the books that I would gladly through in the ocean earlier this week I thought it would be the perfect time to share the books that I love. These books are my 5-star reads and books that I think everyone should read. They are the ones that I rave about and especially try to get people to get at work.

There’s a mix of young adult, romance and even some graphic novels that I want everyone to read. Some are more recent reads and some were published a few years ago. But they are still worth it all. Like always these are in no order.

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons #2) by Julia Quinn: While I still loved book one in this series, The Viscount Who Loved Me is brilliant and fantastic and just hits all the right places. The romance is fabulous, the characters are fantastic and I loved it so much.

Always Only You (Bergman Brothers #2) by Chloe Liese: This is my favourite from this series so far, and while I still gave book one and three over 4 stars, this one is exactly what I wanted and was looking it. It’s a sports romance with disabilities and some fantastic characters. Review

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros: I mean it’s Rebecca Yarros – and you all know how much I love her books. But this one ruined me. It tore out my heart and stepped on it a thousand times. It’s beautiful, heartbreaking and made me cry – a lot. But it’s a fantastic read.

Heartstopper: Volume Two (Heartstopper #2) by Alice Oseman: This is my favourite out of all three volumes so far and I can’t wait to read more. This one just hit all the right places. It made me smile a whole damn lot and I love talking about this series with others. So get on it.

This is How We Change the Ending by Vikki Wakefield: If you haven’t picked up this book yet – please do. It made me feel so many things from anger to hope. From sadness to being proud. This poignant coming of age story captures the lives of those that struggle day by day. That tries to make the best of what they have. Full Review

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo: Oh gosh I could talk about this book for ages. This book still haunts me today. The passion and thought that went into every word, every poem was just perfect. I love how each poem intertwined, everything felt like it belonged. Just read it! Or better yet, listen to it. Full Review

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim: An easy 5 star read, it’s an empowering novel that explores family, mental health and trying to find your own feet. And while there is darkness in this novel and sometimes you feel like there is no hope. There is also warmth. Full Review

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune: I could not do this post and not include this book. It has easily become one of my all-time favourite books and was going to be 5 stars from the start. It’s a magical and profound novel that truly takes the reader on an experience. It explores family and the notion that sometimes you find them in unlikely ways. Full Review

And there we go, there are some of my 5 star reads that I think you should pick up. They are brilliant in different ways and they all hit the right spot. I would re-read any of these and be in a great way.

What are the books that you have rated 5 stars that you want others to get on? Do we share any that is the same? Do you feel different about any of my picks? Would you like to see more of these posts? Let’s Chat!

Books I Want To Get To This Year

Mar 2, 2021

Today I thought I would share the books that I hope that I can get to this year. These are either books that have been on my TBR a while or are coming out this year that I really want to read.

If you didn’t know I’m a full-time bookseller and I’ve worked in a bookstore for nearly 4 years now so I see a lot of books that I end up buying. Add to that the fact that I have been blogging for nearly 10 years and I have a big TBR. So today I’m sharing the books that I want to get to this year. Like always these are in no order.

Thicker Than Water by Brigid Kemmerer: I honestly have no idea why I haven’t read this one yet. I have no excuses. But I hope that I can get to it this year. It sounds exactly like a book that I will love. The romance sounds fantastic and I have heard some great things about it. It just sounds like my thing.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys: Salt of the Sea is one of my all-time favourite books and I have heard nothing but good things about Between Shades of Gray and I need to get on it. It’s my type of historical fiction and it just sounds brilliant.

Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers: This has been on my list for years now, ever since it came out really. And I have no idea why I haven’t read it yet. It sounds like such a fascinating book plus it features disability and you know that is what I am always looking for.

Not If I See You First by Eric Lindstrom: This is another book that features a disability that has been on my TBR for some time. I’ve read another book from the author and really enjoyed it, so I have some high hopes for this one.

The Bromance Book Club (Bromance Book Club #1) by Lyssa Kay Adams: Let’s just say it’s not my fault that I haven’t read this one. I have waited nearly a year or this book to arrive and hopefully, it will come soon. Cause I want to read it so bad!

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett: I’m hoping to get to this one in the next couple of months. I love Jenn Bennett and this one just sounds fantastic and exactly what I would love. But I haven’t picked it up yet for some reasons. Hopefully soon.

These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights #1) by Chloe Gong: I bought this late last year and still need to get on in. It’s Shakespeare retelling and I love those – I love any retellings really. I’ve heard so many good things about this and I want to get to it before the sequel comes out.

The One You Fight For (The Ones Who Got Away #3) by Roni Loren: I read the first two books in this series last year and really enjoyed reading them – a lot. And now I’m really excited to finish this series off. But also these are super emotional and I have to take breaks between the books.

Girl Out of Water by Laura Silverman: This has been on my TBR for a while and I can’t believe that I haven’t read it yet. I hope I can do it in the next couple of months.

Circe by Madeline Miller: I cannot give you an answer as to why I haven’t read this one. I got it as soon as it came out but just haven’t read it yet. But I feel like I’m going into a mythology kick so I might pick it up soon. Again I have heard such good things about this one.

From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout: I finally got my copy a few weeks ago so I can read it soon. I’ve been putting it off for a while cause everyone seems to love it. But I’ve also really enjoyed all the other books I’ve read from Jennifer so I should just get on it.

The Stray Prince (Royals #2) by Ella Fields: I totally didn’t realise that there was going to be a sequel to A King so Cold, but I grabbed this one as soon as it was out. I’ve been so nervous to read it though because it could go anywhere and I’m not ready for that.

And that is it. Those are some of the books that I want to read this year! Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Are you planning on reading them? Let’s Chat!

Never Seduce a Scoundrel | Discussion with Ely

Feb 28, 2021

Welcome to Ely and Mine’s second buddy read of the year discussion. Today we are talking about Never Seduce a Scoundrel (School For Heiresses #1) by Sabrina Jeffries. This is the first book in the series and one that both of us were very excited about it. You can check out last months discussion on The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski on Ely’s blog.

Never Seduce a Scoundrel (School For Heiresses #1) by Sabrina Jeffries

Pages: 376
Publish date: March 1st 2006
Publisher: Pocket Books
ISBN: 9781416516088
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

“Be careful, Amelia — you know how reckless you can be!” — Mrs Charlotte Harris, headmistress

Lady Amelia Plume has many admirers — it’s too bad they’re all fortune hunters and fops who can’t provide the exotic adventures she seeks.

But the ballrooms of Mayfair have become much more appealing since the arrival of Major Lucas Winter, an American with a dark past and a dangerous air. Lucas is brash, arrogant — and scandalously tempting.

Every thrilling kiss sparks a hotter desire, yet Amelia suspects that Lucas has a hidden motive in wooing her. And she intends to discover it, by any means necessary.

Never Seduce a Scoundrel:

Angel: I would just like to say first off that, I adored Never Seduce a Scoundrel so much. It’s one of my favourite Sabrina Jeffries books that I’ve read and I fell in love with it right away. I know you felt very similar to me?

Ely: Absolutely. I think this might be my favourite Sabrina Jeffries so far for a multitude of reasons. I don’t even know where to begin with this one.

And I suppose we should talk about how many Jeffries we’ve read in the past. This was my fourth of hers as I’m trying to read them in order, but I think you’ve read a few more?

A: I have! This is the seventh one I’ve read from her. Like you, I’ve read the Royal Brotherhood trio, and then I’ve also read the 3 books that are currently out in the Duke Dynasty. And I’ve loved every single one. But this is very high on my favourites list.

Never Seduce a Scoundrel follows Lady Amelia Plume as she tries to find herself a husband, but none have caught her eye. Then comes Major Lucas Winter, an American who isn’t all he seems. I felt the tension between these two from the start and it got me hooked. And it wasn’t just the romance that I loved, but the characters themselves. What did you think of Amelia?

E: I loved Amelia. She’s such a witty and fun character. I adore how she pretty much immediately works out just what Lucas is doing and is determined to basically stop him from getting what he wants… What did you think of her?

A: I adored her as well. She was just a fun character to read and get to know. Like you, she did not let Lucus get away with anything and basically turned everything on its head for him. That just made for even more excellent banter. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. Lucas was an interesting character that was for sure. There were times where I wanted to hate him for his reasons to get close to Amelia, but she broke his walls so quickly and turned him basically to mush. Even though he didn’t want to admit it. What did you think of him?

E: I loved that about him—he’s all I’m a big surly, American soldier and I’m only here to do my job and then Amelia looks at him and he becomes a softie. Those are honestly my favourite type of romance heroes.

I think we have to mention the dear Charlotte Harris as well, don’t we? What did you think of her and her letters to and from cousin Michael?

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

A: YES!!! I think that is what I loved most about Never Seduce a Scoundrel, they basically turned each other inside out and it was just fantastic to see.

I loved Charlotte so much. And I cannot wait to read more about her and her letters to cousin Michael. I’ve got all the books in the series and read all the synopsis so I kind of know what is coming. And that makes me so excited.

While we have briefly talked about the romance in this one. What were some of your favourite things about Amelia and Lucas?

E: My favourite bit about the whole Charlotte thing is how it feels sort of the Lady Whistledown bits in the Bridgertons series or other books that do that sort of interjection bits. I think they tell you even more about the story and I really enjoy that.

And I love that they’re both playing each other, but neither of them knows really what’s happening and why the other one is acting the way they are. I think it makes for a really interesting dynamic between the two of them.

A: Yes! That connection is absolutely spot on. And yes I think it’s a great way to let the readers know things without the protagonist having to tell us or it being jarring to the reader. It was done fantastically here.

Have to agree for sure. I loved seeing the back of fourth both of them pulling and then pushing. But also not knowing what is happening, like you said it creates a fantastic dynamic between the two and the banter is fantastic. The plot for this one is really interesting at times I didn’t know where it was going to go and I loved that. What did you think of it?

E: I think it has one of the most interesting plots that I’ve read in a while. Sabrina always managed to take tropes and storylines that we see in historical romance and somehow turn it on its head.

Historical romances are usually pretty fun and light and that’s why I enjoy them so much. I know you feel the same way—we both used them as pick-me-ups all the time when we’re not feeling the best or if we’re in a slump. What I like about this one is that it has that fun, light tone about it but it also deals with some pretty heavy topics.

This might sound weird to anyone not aware of the genre, but I liked that this made reference to real historical events. I feel like HR doesn’t often do that. Sometimes we get real historical figures showing up or events that made a big impact or that are relevant to the story—i.e. the marriage act/suffragette movement in Evie Dunmore’s books and so forth, but the event in here is not one that a lot of people know about. How did you feel about that?

Photo by Jonas Jaeken on Unsplash

A: Romance in general is my escape, but historical romance is the perfect read when I just want to have a fantastic time reading. Don’t get me wrong I’ve read some pretty emotional historical romances, but they don’t tear me into a million pieces – which I like.

No, I absolutely agree with you. I love history – a lot. So when I read a historical romance that makes me want to learn more – yes, please! And then when it includes an event. I think that is why I’ve really enjoyed reading Beverly Jenkins. And Sabrina really takes it another step in Never Seduce a Scoundrel. One of the main concepts on this series is the School For Heiress, and while it wasn’t featured really in this one. I enjoyed seeing some of it through Charlotte and Amelia’s relationship. What did you think of it?

E: I was a little sad that we didn’t actually get to see the school yet—I think there is going to be an incredible dynamic with the friendships between the girls and the romances. I believe book four takes place in the school? I just love the ideas of the girls all getting involved in one another’s lives and hopefully, we’ll get some really lovely friendships between them all too.

I’m also really excited to see Charlotte in her element. I think she’s a great character already and I’m excited to see her shine. How about you?

A: I think that is what I missed most in this one. Friendship. I felt that there wasn’t anyone there for Amelia except for Charlotte – who I love. But I feel that is what this book lacked. A good friend for Amelia and not just Charlotte who for the most part is her guardian. Do you agree with this?

Oh and have to agree with you about Charlotte, I am so excited.

Photo by Carli Jeen on Unsplash

E: Amelia really doesn’t have anyone but Charlotte until Lucas steps up. For all her talk of love and protection of her family, they really aren’t there for her. They are absent for most of the book and even when they are there, they’re wrapped up in their own world. I just hate it when families are like this, as you well know.

A: It is really strange that is for sure. I’m still not sure how I feel about it. They obviously came back when she was in need, but I still felt no connection between them. Like as much as Amelia talks about them, I didn’t feel the love.

Enough about that, what was one of your favourite things about Never Seduce a Scoundrel to finish this up? I adored the banter between Amelia and Lucas and how they grew close without really trying.

E: I think she really loved them, but I don’t know that they really cared about her to the same degree.

The banter is definitely amazing, but I think that real-life moment in history is really what hit it out of the park for me. It just made it feel that much more real and added a greater depth to it.

A: Well thank you for chatting with me. I hope you all enjoyed reading our chat about Never Seduce a Scoundrel by Sabrina Jeffries. Have you read anything from her yet? Have you read this series? Stay tuned for next month’s discussion on Ely’s blog!