Last month of the year, and I certainly made it count! In addition to some very merry reads, I also finished two books from my physical TBR, gobbled up a truly fantastic Dramione fanfic, and found an audiobook narrator I actually like!!
On the writing front, I’m not reporting it this month because 1) I’m currently in the US and don’t have the computer that has Scrivener on it, and 2)…I actually have pinpointed A Problem I need to solve with my popstar romance (it needs more tension, more enemies to lovers vibes) and it’s gonna require a bit of a rewrite. Not my fave realization since I hoped to have the draft finished by the end of the year, but I’m also very glad I’ve figured this out now rather than later. So fingers crossed I can have that draft finished by the end of Jan!
This was a good month for me reading wise (maybe not mental health wise but we're glossing over it)! This is gonna be a long one so hold tight. I hope we all got to read what we wanted to read this month! As always rating and reviews are under the cut.
Check content warning lovelies <3
Happy reading c:
Gild by Raven Kennedy ⭐⭐⭐(3.75/5) Finished in one sitting, made me cry, and actually want to read the next book. All in all a successful slump ender! Seriously the moment I almost put it down to go to bed the action started to happen and the only thing that was going through my head was it's not funny I have school
Glint by Raven Kennedy ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) YOOOOOO I did not expect that ending talk about a cliffhanger. (Update I literally don't remember what happened why wasn't I more specific 💀)
Gleam by Raven Kennedy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5/5 Literally shaking after that ending. It was absolute prefection. Thought it was just a trilogy but now I have to wait for the next one so um when does it come out 😅
Deceived by the Gargoyles by Lillian Lark ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5/5 Love the relationship dynamic! Poly relationship btwn three gargoyles and a witch ❤️
Claimed by Cupid by Dana Islay ⭐⭐⭐ 2.5/5 read this before I knew anything about the recent scandal and I must say I'm so glad I got it for free and immediately undownload it. The book itself had good smut but I didn't read the series so the plot made little sense to me. Still won't be reading her again after what she did 🙃
Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas ⭐⭐⭐⭐4.75/5 At first I thought it would be like Evie and St. Vincent's story from the Wallflower series but how I was wrong. It was entirely it's own story and a beautiful one. I loved everything about it and despite the awfully cheesy cover and name, will definitely purchase for a reread.
Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas ⭐⭐⭐⭐4.75/5 At first I thought it would be like Evie and St. Vincent's story from the Wallflower series but how I was wrong. It was entirely it's own story and a beautiful one. I loved everything about it and despite the awfully cheesy cover and name, will definitely purchase for a reread.
Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas ⭐⭐⭐(3.75/5) The perfect book for a wonderful escape. The characters are beautifully written and unique. I have to say after a while I was more interested in Helen’s story than the main plotline.
Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas ⭐⭐⭐(3.5/5) Not my favorite in the series but it was still good. Lots of time skips but the plot was entertaining enough to make up for it.
Bound to You: Volume One by Vanessa Booke ⭐⭐(2.5/5) Enough plot but let’s get to the good stuff plzzz. Literally just plot not anything else. Weird ending for a book but okay ig
“I’m not jealous, I’m worried. I’ve gone to all the dinners and dances, and I’ve met everyone. Some of the eligible gentlemen have been very pleasant, but even when there’s nothing terribly wrong with one of them, there’s nothing terribly right either. I’ve given up looking for love, I’m only searching for someone I could come to love over time, and I can’t even find that.”
Heart of my heart, you need no man to give you away. Just come to me of your own free will. Love me for who I am... just as I love you for who you are... and our bond will last until the stars lose their shining.
So, I like Lisa Kleypas. I've read several of her books and decided to go back a bit to the Ravenels. I enjoyed it, but, you can definitely see her growth as an author in more recent books. These characters just didn't grab me like some of her other books do.
While the book was entertaining and flowed well, I couldn't help but feel that there really wasn't much of an obstacle standing between Devon and Kathleen. I mean, sure, she is a widow, but... really that's about it and it feels a little thin. Especially since both Devon and his brother have some pretty speedy transformations into upstanding gentleman. Also, things tend to magically resolve without characters having to make difficult choices. I love happy endings, but, I also like difficult choices.
I'm way more interested in the train wreck of a courtship between Helen and Winterborne who I'm sure will feature in a future book. Guess I'll go find that one now. :)
