Arpita Shrivastava

[arpitashrivastava]

✨ Happy Release Day and Book Review ✨ Hello Bookish Family, Sandcastle Beach by Jenny Holiday comes out today. Guys, I am head over heels about this book and this series in general. Sandcastle Beach is a third book in the Matchmaker Bay series and I loved it. Maya Mehta is the artistic director for Moonflower Bay’s theatre company and is financially struggling to save her theater. Benjamin “Law” Lawson, a local bar owner and Maya’s nemesis is looking to expand his business. So there are two projects and one business grant and a serious competition begins. Enemies to Lovers is my favorite trope. Maya and Law are awesome characters and the witty banter between them is amusing to read. When a former pop star turned actor starts making moves on Maya and Law realizes that he is done waiting and no dispute can keep her away from him. I was really happy that Jake and Nora and Eve and Sawyer (couples of the previous books in the series) have a considerable presence in this story as well. I can picture this series as an amazing series on Netflix or Hulu. This book is for you if you love the small-town vibes, amazing characters, friendship, enemies to lover trope, a loving family, and meddling older folks. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you so much @readforeverpub for this beautiful book. Picture: this picture features my first attempt at hand lettering and sketching. I know it is not perfect but I am satisfied with how it turned out. #sandcastleathome (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMNueMBAIxl/?igshid=12kszvy7zqt8f

[arpitashrivastava]

🔥 Book Review - With The Fire On High 🔥 Emoni Santiago is 17-year-old, a high school senior, and a single mother to a 2-year-old girl Emma. She lives with her Abuela since her mother died when she was born and her father abandoned her. This book is amazingly written with short chapters that encourage the reader to keep reading further. The characters are awesome, realistic, and provide the person next-door vibe. This is such an important YA book and the author has beautifully highlighted and addressed so many social issues. Emoni is a beautiful character. At such a tender age, she is mature, her family is her priority, she is a great mother and an awesome friend. With so much already on her plate, her zeal and persistence to pursue her dreams is captivating. I was so happy for her when she understands what dreams are during her school trip to Spain and she decides that whatever happens, she will face all the obstacles in her way to make them true. I am so glad that the main focus of this book was not on finding love for Emoni but to find a wonderful life for her and her family and love would follow along. I think I have not read anything so beautiful. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ After reading this book, I can not wait to read Clap When You Land and Poet X by the author @acevedowrites. #withthefireonhigh #withthefireonhighbook #withthefireonhighreview #elizabethacevedo #elizabethacevedobooks #elizabethacevedoauthor #harpercollins #harpercollinspublishers #harpercollinsus #quilltreebooks #bookreview #bookreviews #bookreviewfeatures #bookreviewsofinstagram #bookstagram #bookblog #bookblogger #bookbloggersofinstagram #reading #bookreviewsneedlovetoo #5starreview #bestbooksof2020 #books #bookandplant #bookandplants #ownvoices #latinxheritagemonth (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQ9TV3AzZq/?igshid=1vcm9arx5vqho

[arpitashrivastava]

✨ October Wrap Up ✨ Hi Booksta Family, I had a great October and could read 9 books this month. With the fire on High by @acevedowrites was my absolute favorite and I am reading Clap When You Land and Poet X by her this month. She such an amazing author. Here is the list of the books I read or listened to along with their ratings. 5 Star With The Fire On High Two By Two The NoteBook 4 Star Lindsey Love Loves Holiday Home Run See Me A Walk to Remember How to Write a Romance Novel Billionaire’s Blackmail Bride I hope you had a great month too! Which is the first book that you picked this month? I have started After I do by Taylor Jenkins Reid. #octoberwrapup #octoberwrapup2020 #octoberreads2020 #octoberreads #octoberreading #octoberreadings #reading #readingtime #readingisfun #readingnook #readingcommunity #readingislife #bookcommunity #booksconnectus #booksofoctober2020 #booksofoctober #booklove #bookishbuddyread #bookishlove #bookishlife #bookishlifestyle (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHE0T-FATj2/?igshid=1wu4ikmgz3uov

[arpitashrivastava]

Happy Thursday Booksta Fam, I am sharing the Book mail aka happy mail I received this week. Thank you so much @readforeverpub for these books. I can't wait to start them. Also, just one more day to go, and then it is the weekend. I can't wait to snuggle in a blanket, drink coffee, and read. I am trying to finish three more books before this month ends. I hope I can do it. #bookmail #bookmailisthebestmail #bookmail📮 #bookmails #readforeverpub #readforever #reading #readingtime #readingisfun #readingisfun #readaddict #readingislife #readingcommunity #readingnook #read #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #booksof2020 #booksconnectus #bookstack #bookaholic #bookishlove #bookishlife #bookishgoals #everythingbookish (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CG8RsuXA0RI/?igshid=1imdq1bfkrckh

[arpitashrivastava]

Happy Pub Day to Best Kept Secrets by @sandrabrownauthor. 💐💐 Thank you @grandcentralpub for my copy of this incredible book. With Halloween around the corner, what's the great way to welcome this book other than chocolates? Book Synopsis (As on Publisher’s Website): In this steamy thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown, a savvy attorney in small-town Texas will stop at nothing to catch the man who murdered her mother. Alexandra Gaither is a beautiful lawyer who finally has the power to get what she’s always wanted: justice. Armed with new evidence that could lead to an arrest and a conviction, Alex revisits the remote Texas town where her mother died twenty-five years ago. There she confronts the three powerful men who were with her mother the night she died: her former lover, his best friend, and the father figure to them both. Each is charming, each is a suspect, and each has secrets to hide. But none of them can stop Alex’s determined search for the truth. Alex’s relentless investigation creates controversy and excitement in this small community. And as she uncovers decades-old intrigues, someone capable of clever lies and remorseless acts decides she must be stopped. Now, with a one-month deadline from the attorney general to either wrap up the case or drop it for good, Alex must work diligently to catch her mother’s killer . . . and find a way to stay alive. (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CG32LDpAFqZ/?igshid=1f4zlvloqoh9j

[arpitashrivastava]

Happy Release Day to Holiday Home Run by one of my favorite authors @prisoliveras. 💐💐 Isn't this cover gorgeous and so festive? Book Synopsis (As on Author’s website): Julia’s an event planner, in Chicago for an internship she hopes to turn into a full-time job. She’s ready to live on her own, out from under her familia’s expectations that she take over their catering business in Puerto Rico and away from their year-round baseball fever thanks to her three ball-playing brothers. Ex-MLB pitcher Ben Thomas knows what it’s like to have different dreams than your family intends for you, but since his injury-caused early retirement, he’s been struggling to find the sense of family baseball once brought him. When he volunteers as the emcee for Julia’s big holiday fundraiser for a local youth center, he finally begins to find a sense of purpose working with the kids and alongside Julia. She’s focused on organizing the best holiday event the youth center has ever seen, not on romance. But Ben…he’s got a game plan for the two of them that includes both. #holidayhomerun #kensingtonpublishing #bookbuzz #priscillaoliveras #romancebooks #romancebookstagram #romancenovels #contemporaryromance #contemporaryromancereads #contemporaryromancereaders #contemporaryromancebooks #contemporaryromancenovel #contemporaryromanceauthors #contemporaryromanceauthor #booksofoctober2020 #romancereads #readreadread #readersofinstagram #bookcommunity #authorsofbookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CG3z_NVAJWF/?igshid=hg9s71rjaal2

[arpitashrivastava]

Hi Booksta Fam, Have a wonderful Tuesday! In September, I started a new feature on my page called #oneauthoreverymonth and decided I will pick one author every month who is new to me and I haven’t read any of their books. So this month I chose to read books by Nicholas Sparks and I could read 4 of his books and I am yet to complete the 5th one. I hope to finish it by the end of this month. The Notebook: This book needs no introduction. I will always have a copy of this book close to me. This book taught me so much about relationships and made me cry ugly tears. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Two By Two: This such a beautiful tale about a father taking care of his daughter. This book is so amazing in so many aspects. It is a tale about family bonds, relationships, the pain of losing loved ones, a child dealing with divorce, and finding love again. The author has crafted this story incredibly well and again this book made me cry ugly tears but it was worth it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ See Me: This book surprised me as it is very different from the usual Sparks book. It has an element of suspense and revenge along with family bonds and great friendships. I will post a detailed review of this one. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Walk to Remember: This book again, needs no introduction and I love it. This is a wonderful tale about Landon and Jamie falling in love and withstanding the pain of losing each other. 
⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Return: This is a small-town tale about Trevor who is a Veteran and a retired surgeon living a quiet life at his late grandfather’s house. The characters are quite interesting especially Natalia and Callie. Trevor’s grandfather died in some questionable circumstances and he tries to unravel them. I am excited to know what happens next. (at Stay At Home)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CG1sZ1OgJia/?igshid=fhz9h4ucxpnz

[arpitashrivastava]

Hi Bookstagram Family, Finally, it is Friday evening. What plans do you have for this weekend? Doing something exciting? #tgif I read the Truly Devious series a couple of months back and now I am sharing my thoughts about it. This series is quite interesting, unique and the characters are awesome. The protagonist Stephanie Bell or Stevie is strong, intelligent, and smart. She is devoted to law enforcement. The entire series is described in two timelines. Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists and was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth-century tycoon. Soon after the school started his wife and daughter were kidnapped and this has become the case of century and nobody was able to solve it. 80 years later, Stevie is admitted to this school and her mission is to study and solve this case. I adore books with strong female protagonists and hence I enjoyed this series a lot. This series has three books, Truly Devious (Book 1) is much slower than the other two books in the series The Vanishing Stairs (Book 2) and The Hand In The Wall (Book 3). So if you are reading or have read Book 1, don't be disappointed. This series is about to get better. I feel this series could have been easily accommodated into two books instead of three. A few things seemed repetitive at times especially during the description of the events that took place 80 years back. The riddles give it Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None vibe. All in all, I recommend this series. The fourth book in this series The Box in the Woods is coming in April 2021 and I am looking forward to reading it. Book Ratings: Truly Devious: ⭐⭐⭐ The Vanishing Stairs: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Hand in the Wall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #trulydevious #trulydeviousseries #trulydeviousbook (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGtFQOugV2B/?igshid=geo4702in8q6

[arpitashrivastava]

Hi Bookstagram Family, New Week! New hopes and new to-do lists. How did your Monday go? Mine was exhausting. I think it was more about me missing the warmness of my bed with a book and a cup of coffee. Today I am sharing my current read. I am reading With The Fire On High and loving it. I am so excited to discuss it at the end of the month with my amazing booksta buddies. I am more than halfway through and I feel for Emoni Santiago, a 17-year-old high school senior. She aspires to be a chef and I am astonished to see her persistence. I can't wait to see how this book unfolds as the book progresses, but I can just say that I am already in love with it and Emoni. #withthefireonhigh #elizabethacevedo #elizabethacevedobooks #buddyread #buddyreads #quilltreebooks #harpercollins #harpercollinspublishers #books #bookstagram #read #reading #readingtime #readingisfun #readingnook #readingisfun #readingcommunity #bookcommunity #booksconnectus #ownvoices #ownvoicesbooks #ownvoicesbookchallenge #booksofinstagram #booksofig #booksof2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CGjJ8pCg_Ok/?igshid=ouqiaw27dwpm

[arpitashrivastava]

✨ Book Feature ✨ Thank you so much @booksparks @shewritespress and the author #RebeccaDHarlingue for this amazing book as a part of Indie Book Box. This is a historic fiction with dual timelines. Book Synopsis: In 1661 Madrid, Ana is still grieving the loss of her husband when her niece, sixteen-year-old Juliana, suddenly vanishes. Ana frantically searches the girl’s room and comes across a diary. Journeying to southern Spain in the hope of finding her, Ana immerses herself in her niece’s private thoughts. After a futile search in Seville, she comes to Juliana’s final entries, and, discovering the horrifying reason for the girl’s flight, abandons her search. In 1992 Missouri, in her deceased mother’s home, Rachel finds a packet of letters, and a diary written by a woman named Juliana. Rachel’s reserved mother has never mentioned these items, but Rachel recognizes the names Ana and Juliana: her mother uttered them on her deathbed. She soon becomes immersed in Juliana’s diary, which recounts the young woman’s journey to Mexico City and her life in a convent. As she learns the truth about Juliana’s tragic family history, Rachel seeks to understand her connection to the writings—hoping that in finding those answers, she will somehow heal the wounds caused by her mother’s lifelong reticence. #thelinesbetweenus #shewritespress #booksparks (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGQZ8Z5Ab9W/?igshid=12ycflxvlh4em

[arpitashrivastava]

✨ Book Haul ✨ Hi Everyone, how is everything? How was your weekend going? Did you do anything special? I am so glad it is a long weekend. The previous week I treated myself with these three incredible books. I know I should read the ones I already have but I couldn't resist the temptation. I always wanted my copy of The Notebook and I finally own it. Also, I am so looking forward to reading The Paris Secret by @natashalesterauthor and The Wedding Date Disaster by @averyflynn. #theparissecret #thenotebook #theweddingdatedisaster #grandcentralpub #grandcentralpublishing #entangledpublishing #averyflynn #nicholassparks #natashalester #reading #readingtime #readingisfun #readingnook #books #bookhaul #booksconnectus #booksareforlife #booksofinstagram #bookstack #flatlay #fallbookstagram (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGOjV8_AEpJ/?igshid=1vhie2dtxk4h7

[arpitashrivastava]

✨ Book Review ✨ Emily Diemer works in a Victorian B&B named Weber Haus owned by Matilda Weber also known as Aunt Tilly or Ms. Tilly who is nearly 80 years old. Emily cooks for the guests and has a dream to own her own bakery someday. She is excited about the holidays but not excited about someone who is visiting Ms. Tilly, her nephew Lukas Weber. Emily thinks Lukas is an ignorant nephew who is doesn’t want to take care of his aging aunt, who is his only family and is solely focused on his photography career and jetting from one place to another across the world. Snowball is a pet kitten with white fur who doesn’t agree with Emily and thinks she and Lukas are perfect for each other and starts playing a matchmaker. As soon as Lukas arrives he starts getting involved with jobs like taking care and fixing the property, helping Emily in the kitchen, and getting mixed up in Snowball’s antics. With him so involved, Emily starts to soften up a little and finds that there is more to him. Lukas is going to sell Weber Haus so that Miss Tilly can retire but the little kitten believes that this B&B, and these people, are her forever home. What I loved about this book: 1. The setting of this book is so cozy and perfect. There is snow, lit fires, Christmas round the corner. 2. Lovely and perfect characters. They will always do the right thing. I loved Aunt Tilly. 3. Snowball a little fluffball is so cute and has blue eyes. It was interesting to watch a kitten play a matchmaker and all the mischief that followed along. What could have been better: 1. Emily and Lukas had an instant attraction, they understood each other and were always there to help each other. I think their chemistry could have been stronger. I would have loved some more scenes where Lukas and Emily could spend alone time talking and knowing each other more. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.75 #snowballschristmas #kensingtonpublishing #kensingtonbooks #kristenmckanagh #bookreview #bookreviews #bookreviewsofinstagram #booknerd #bookaholic #booklover #books #reading #read #readingtime #readingisfun #readingnook #readinglist #holidaybooks #christmas #christmasbooks #christmasbookstagram #christmasbooksreading (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CF6IFEFA4G6/?igshid=xdc49youabkn

[arpitashrivastava]

✨ September Wrap Up ✨ Hi Bookstagram Fam, September was an okay month for me. I could not concentrate much on reading. I could read 7 books this month. 4 star Summer Rental Spring Fever Save the Date Parental Guidance 3.75 Star Snowball’s Christmas 3 Star The Takeover The Devil Wears Prada Which is your first book in October? #septemberwrapup #septemberreads #marykayandrews #read #reading #septemberreading #booksread #booksreading #booksofinstagram #booksconnectus #books📚 (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CF1Jra2geHq/?igshid=z95upajng5ky

[arpitashrivastava]

Hi Bookstafam, How is your week going so far? What are you reading this week? There are so many amazing authors and their amazing books, so from this month, I started something new. Every month I am going to choose an author whose books I have not read. I will dedicate the entire month reading their books along with my other reading commitments. This month I decided to read books by @marykayandrews. I could read three of her books and I am so glad I did. I was so mesmerized by the description of beautiful Victorian houses, their architectures, amazing interiors and flowers along with strong female characters, their relationships and friendship. What are your favorite books by her? I need some recommendations. 📚 #marykayandrews #stmartinspress #stmartinspressbooks #savethedate #summerrental #springfever #authorfeature #authorsofinstagram #womenfiction #womenfictionauthors #reading #read #books #bookaddict #booklover #booknerd #bookcommunity #bookrecommendations #bookaholic #bookworm #readingnook #bookstafam #bookish #bookishlife (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFyf73gA8Hn/?igshid=1la2wncpwxe4s

[arpitashrivastava]

✨ Cover Reveal - Lindsey Love Loves ✨ Publish date: November 04, 2020 Blurb: Lindsey Love’s career as a food critic is suddenly taking off when she’s approached by Food and Travel to take her show to Europe. What could be more fun than to travel with her best friend Patrick, eat amazing food, and see the sights? What she doesn’t bargain for is the surly, egotistical producer with the icy glare, dimples, and a penchant for questioning her every move. Nick Elliot, ex-Navy SEAL turned producer, finds himself suddenly thrown into a project he doesn’t want to take on. Producing a snotty food critic’s show over in Europe is not at the top of his agenda. She’s stubborn, sassy, and he finds himself inextricably drawn to her. When things go awry abroad, Nick has to make the decision to save his own future or give up everything to protect Lindsey. #sophiesinclairauthor #sophiesinclairwrites #authorsophiesinclair #lindseyloveloves #coverreveal #bookof2020 #booksof2020 #books #reading #readingisfun #readingtime #readingtime📖 #booklover #bookaddict #booksconnectus (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFkYhyrALRL/?igshid=137k8rihyp9z9

[arpitashrivastava]

Save the Date is a stand-alone women's fiction novel. I am a huge fan of this genre and now @marykayandrews is one of my favorite authors. I love weddings and this book has a lot of them. I really admired the way the author has described all the events and locations in the entire book. Cara Kryzik is divorced from a cheating husband and is an awesome up and coming florist in Savannah, Georgia. She is working hard and trying to make a name for herself among Savannah’s elite and their bridal parties. Of course, there is a business rival who wants to pull her back, bad name her, and sabotage her reputation. Jack Finnerty is a well-known contractor in Savannah and neighboring areas. He and his brother Ryan own a historic property restoration business. On the day of Ryan’s wedding, Jack takes a wrong dog home which is identical to his golden doodle. That wrong dog belongs to none other than Cara’s who is also the florist in Ryan’s wedding. Cara and Jack go through a lot of ups and downs and finally get there HEA. This book is easy to read and I could fly through the pages, has amazing, likable, and realistic characters, romance, two identical white golden doodles. This was my first book by this author and I liked it so much. I definitely recommend this one and look forward to reading more books by her. Have you read this book or any other book by Mary Kay Andrews? I do need some recommendations and I think this cover is gorgeous. #savethedate #stmartinspress #stmartinspressbooks #marykayandrews #savethedatebook #bookaholic #bookstagram #books #booklover #booknerd #bookaddict #bookreview #bookreviews #womensfiction #womensfictionsbooks #womenfictionreaders #womensfictionchicklit #reading #readingtime #readingnook #readingisfun #readingislife #readingcommunity #bookcommunity #bookstagramcommunity (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFWKeVFAI6b/?igshid=1qs177zcuf0ja

[arpitashrivastava]

🧁 Book Feature 🧁 I am so excited and looking forward to reading Kiss My Cupcake by @helenahunting. 🧁 Book Synopsis (as on publisher’s website): Blaire Calloway has planned every Instagram-worthy moment of her cupcake and cocktails shop launch down to the tiniest detail. What she didn’t plan on? Ronan Knight and his old-school sports bar next door opening on the very same day. He may be super swoony, but Blaire hasn’t spent years obsessing over buttercream and bourbon to have him ruin her chance at success. From axe throwing (his place) to frosting contests (hers), Blaire and Ronan are constantly trying to one-up each other in a battle to win new customers. But with every clash, there’s also an undeniable chemistry. When an even bigger threat to their business comes to town, they’re forced to call a temporary time-out on their own war and work together. And the more time Blaire spends getting to know the real Ronan, the more she wonders if it’s possible to have her cupcake and eat it too. Have you read this one? What were your thoughts about it? #kissmycupcake #helenahunting #readforever #areaderforever #helenahuntingbooks #read #reading #readwithus #readersofinstagram #readingtime #readingnook #readingislife #readingcommunity #booksof2020 #books #romcom #romcombooks #booksbooksbooks #booksconnectus #bookcommunity #booklove #contemporaryromance #contemporaryromancereads #romanticcomedy (at Stay At Home) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFQ5yuHAj-e/?igshid=1apjpvhx06a86