kassandra

she/her|🇺🇸|Slytherin💚|books, books, & more books📚

[wanderinginsideabook]

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus [Review]

Synopsis: On Thursday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.

Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. 
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing. 
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investi­gators, his death wasn't an accident. On Thursday, he died. But on Friday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they just the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose? Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.

Star Rating: 4/5

My Thoughts: Mystery is not a genre that I usually reach for. However, when I’m in the mood for it, I hardly ever reach for YA mystery books because they usually leave me with something to be desired. Though this has been a really popular book for a long time, I was on the fence of picking it up for the above reasons. However, I’m really glad I finally did.

This was a solid mystery. It had an intriguing setup and a solid plot that flowed pretty organically. It felt completely natural for everything to come out when it did and in the way that it did. And the resolution to the mystery felt pretty satisfying. It made perfect sense for the story that was being told, in my opinion.

I also enjoyed the characters. This is a multiple perspective book, with each of the four suspects getting a perspective. I think that really worked, because we got to knew each character intimately. Whenever anything happened to them, we felt for them because we felt as if we knew them very well.

I’m not sure about the sequel. I know it exists but this story seemed to be wrapped up pretty nicely. I’m not sure a sequel is needed, but if I hear good things about it, I might end up picking it up.

[wanderinginsideabook]

Icebreaker by A. L. Graziadei [Review]

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Mickey James III is a college freshman, a brother to five sisters, and a hockey legacy. With a father and a grandfather who have gone down in NHL history, Mickey is almost guaranteed the league's top draft spot.

The only person standing in his way is Jaysen Caulfield, a contender for the #1 spot and Mickey's infuriating (and infuriatingly attractive) teammate. When rivalry turns to something more, Mickey will have to decide what he really wants, and what he's willing to risk for it.

This is a story about falling in love, finding your team (on and off the ice), and choosing your own path.

Star Rating: 3/5

My Thoughts: I had such a good start to this year, reading-wise. I read so many books in January. And then, all of a sudden, I was hit with a terrible reading slump. I didn’t finish a single book in the month of January. I picked this book up because it’s fairly short (a little over 300 pages) and I’ve heard that reading short novels can help get you out of reading slumps.

I am so glad I picked this book up.

I love hockey. I was raised in a hockey household and it has been one of my favorite sports to watch. I never thought I would read a book with a hockey as the background, but this one was awesome.

Mickey is a great main character. He’s very relatable, with his sexuality and mental health struggles. Jaysen and the side characters are also amazing. I loved them so much, and I loved the relationship between Mickey and Jaysen a lot.

The only issue I really had was the ending. I’ve never been a fan of open endings. I don’t like it when there is a goal that the main character is reaching toward the whole book and in the end, it’s left up to the reader to decides if they achieve it or not. It just makes me feel pretty unsatisfied. Other than that, this was a really good book.

[wanderinginsideabook]

Wild Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the eighth novel in the Like Us series

Synopsis: One is new to love.

One is bad at love.

One denies love.

Twenty-one-year-old, foul-mouthed Olympian, Sullivan Meadows, just made a huge mistake. She told her bodyguards-her buddies, her pals-they could take her virginity. Words forever engrained in her brain.

And theirs.

Akara Kitsuwon & Banks Moretti are best friends, sworn to protect each other and their client Sullivan. But upon hearing her confession, their reactions aren't what Sulli expects.

They're all friends anyway.

Just friends.

Solid, good friends.

Right?

As the three embark on the road to Yellowstone, tension builds and close quarters leave no secrets behind. Feelings for her childhood friendship with Akara-that teasing, flirty leader-grow hotter, but so do her feelings for Banks, the rugged, heart-melting Marine.

While Sulli is out west to free-solo her dad's old climbing routes, the only true destination the three of them are certain of is Yellowstone.

Love & romance are totally up in the air.

Star Rating: 4/5

My Thoughts: I was a little weary going into this book, because I knew it could either be really good or I could end up hating it. I’m glad to say that, for me, this book ended squarely in the really good column.

For the most part, this book dealt with characters that I felt that we didn’t know too well. There was Banks that I felt as if we knew kind of well, because we’ve gotten chapters from his perspective before. But Sulli and Akara were new perspectives, and I really enjoyed them. They felt very real and fleshed out to me. All three of them were great main characters.

And the relationship between them was handled very well, in my opinion. I enjoyed all the moments with the three of them, and the love was palpable. How much all three of these characters love each was literally exploding off the page.

I can’t wait to see what else is in store for these three in the next book.

[wanderinginsideabook]

Charming Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the seventh novel in the Like Us series

Synopsis: As the hottest bodyguard on Security Force Omega, Oscar Oliveira has no trouble finding a warm body at any odd hour. But he's ready for more.

And for the first time in this ex-pro boxer's life, he just got rejected. For a kiss.

Oscar's friends warned him not to fall for the straight guy, but flirty, sexy-as-hell Jack Highland made that difficult. Now Jack has Oscar's sweater. His belt. His bandana. And Oscar seriously wants them back.

As for Jack – well, Jack wants a lot of things.

But for the first time in this confident filmmaker's life, he's absolutely 100%... confused. Add another ultra-complication in a sea of complicated: Enter Charlie Cobalt.

The enigmatic famous one that Oscar is sworn to protect wants his own show, and he's asked Jack to film it. A Charlie-centric docuseries will force Oscar & Jack to share the same air again.

Option 1: Ignore each other.

Option 2: Flirt, aw yeah. And act like the rejection never happened.

Option 3: Confront each other about the rejected kiss.

With options on the table and their romantic lives unsettled, both Jack & Oscar are concerned about why Charlie wants his own show. And the longer filming lasts, the more tumultuous their personal & professional worlds become.

Chaos reigns when you're around the Cobalts, and Jack & Oscar are swept up among the most destructive one.

Star Rating: 4/5

My Thoughts: This was a really good book! I’ll admit that I was pretty excited to delve more into Oscar and Jack. I’ve really liked their scenes together in the past six books, and I was excited to see them take center stage.

I really liked both Oscar and Jack as characters, and where they end up at the end of the book. I feel like they both learned a lot about themselves throughout the course of the book, and their journeys were fun to watch. And it was interesting to focus on two characters that weren’t part of the famous families. It added an interesting dynamic to this series.

I’m not gonna lie, I’m kind of bummed that Oscar and Jack don’t have another book. I feel like, as great as it was, their romance was kind of rushed because this was it for them. I would have liked to stay with them as mains for another book, but I’m also interested in moving onto the next book. Sulli’s story sounds like it could be right up my alley if done well.

[wanderinginsideabook]

Headstrong Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the sixth novel in the Like Us series

Synopsis: You’re cordially invited to the wedding of Maximoff Hale & Farrow Keene, and according to Celebrity Crush—the ceremony for this American prince and his tattooed bodyguard is going to be the event of the century.

There will be no wedding crashers.

Including but not limited to: hateful people, rabid fans, nosy paparazzi, and other so-called media.

There will be no drama.

None whatsoever. Because when you put three famous families and their hot bodyguards together, nothing will go down.

There will be no fighting.

No brawls, fists flying, verbal slingshots, or rifts that tear into craters. Lovers only!

Everything will be perfect.

Nothing will go amiss during the happiest, most anticipated occasion of the year. But then again…

They don't call it the Hale Curse for nothing.

Star Rating: 5/5

My Thoughts: I loved this book. Like a lot. I absolutely love Maximoff and Farrow. They are amazing characters and they make a truly amazing couple. And this book just perfectly wrapped up their story. There was not a part in this book that I did not love. After finishing it, I immediately want to reread it to keep living in the magic of this couple for just a little longer.

[wanderinginsideabook]

Sinful Like Us by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the fifth novel in the Like Us series

Synopsis: Dating an American princess comes with a massive amount of baggage–all of which I’m willing to carry strapped on my back in quicksand and through seven hells. But Jane Cobalt’s baggage, I’m unprepared for. It comes in the form of her five equally famous and notoriously hard-to-please brothers. 

I want Jane. 

Completely. 

Unconditionally. 

But when there’s a trip scheduled that I can’t be a part of, I only have one option. It’s immoral. 

Something I’d never consider until now. 

But, hell, there’s got to be some perks to being a twin. So I’m doing it. I’m switching places with my brother. 

Done and done. 

It should have been easy. 

There were little consequences. 

Until the storm hit.

Star Rating: 3/5

My Thoughts: The ending of this was by my far my favorite part. It did wrap up both this book and the fourth one very well. The announcement at the end had me cheering right along with the character. It was a really good ending and opened the door for some interesting plot points in the future.

As for everything else, it was enjoyable. I already mentioned how Jane and Thatcher aren’t my favorite couple or my favorite characters, and, unfortunately, that was still true here. There were scenes that I’m sure were supposed to make me fall in love with these two but they just did nothing for me.

But really, the book was enjoyable. This whole series is enjoyable, and I can’t wait to get back to Maximoff and Farrow as main characters for the next book.

[wanderinginsideabook]

Tangled Like Us by Krista Richie and Becca Ritchie [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the fourth novel in the Like Us series

Synopsis: Jane Cobalt is an American princess. The loyal and painfully curious twenty-three-year-old has inherited immense pressure to preserve the Cobalt legacy. But for Jane — sex, love, and life have been a series of royal failures.

After a friends-with-benefits ended in disaster, she's sworn to a “no sex” hiatus for, well, eternity — and she has no intention of letting anyone in her bed and definitely not her heart.

Twenty-eight-year-old Thatcher Moretti is painfully professional. As the stern 24/7 bodyguard to Jane, thinking about unbridled sex with his sweet client is a sin. One that he keeps committing.

But the real act is a hard line he’d never cross.

When a family member betrays Jane's trust, the media becomes obsessed with matchmaking the perpetually “single” Jane Cobalt and unwanted attention suddenly compromises her safety.

Thatcher would do anything to protect her, and one solution may level the threats:

Become the fake boyfriend to an American princess.

Entwined together with boiling chemistry, new “professional” parameters, and an oath, unsaid feelings threaten to rise and change everything.

Star Rating: 3/5

My Thoughts: I’m going to be completely honest: I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first three. I just couldn’t resonate with Jane and Thatcher in the same way that I could with Maximoff and Farrow.

I had two main issues with this book. The first was that the characters just felt very bland to me. I could see how the authors tried to give them personality but it wasn’t really coming through for me. I felt as if I was told so many things about Jane that I just didn’t see in context. Most of what I knew of Jane were things told me about her, not anything I saw from her. And Thatcher felt mostly one-dimensional to me, as if he was there for no other reason than to be Jane’s devoted love interest.

And I’m not sure how I feel about using the term “love interest” to describe Thatcher; more accurately, he was Jane’s sex partner. This was my second issue. I loved Maximoff and Farrow not only for their sexy scenes, but also because of the silly, romantic, and emotional scenes between. Outside of sex, I didn’t pick up on any chemistry between Jane and Thatcher. When they weren’t in the bedroom, there just wasn’t a lot about them to love.

Despite all this, I still had fun with this book, for the most part. I enjoyed the short looks we got at Thatcher’s relationship with Banks and I did really enjoy the scenes with the other Cobalts. This might not have been my favorite book so far, but I am still intrigued about what comes next.

[wanderinginsideabook]

Alphas Like Us by Krista Richie and Becca Ritchie [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the third novel in the Like Us series

Synopsis: Maverick, know-it-all bodyguard Farrow Keene knows publicly dating American royalty comes with a great cost. Everyone wants a piece of their relationship. And as a protective boyfriend, he’s not here for the malicious hands that grab at their love life and seek to rip them apart.

But Farrow is confident — he’s confident that he could’ve never prepared for the storm to come.

Keep him safe.

Maximoff Hale isn’t a big fan of change. And to regain the charity CEO position he lost, he agrees to a task that he’s always rejected. One that could uproot his unconventional world.

But Maximoff is afraid — he’s afraid of the consequences that could destroy his boyfriend and his family.

Keep him safe.

Changes are on the horizon.

Big.

Messy.

Complicated.

Changes.

Maximoff & Farrow will fight for their forever. And with every breath, they promise that their love story won’t end here.

Star Rating: 4/5

My Thoughts: I think this might be my favorite book of the series. I absolutely loved the progression of Maximoff’s and Farrow’s relationship. I liked how it handled their personal lives outside of the relationship as well. And the ending just had me smiling so big.

This series really took me by surprise and I’m really enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would.

I was a little on the fence about picking up the fourth book because I’m not quite ready to leave Maximoff and Farrow behind as main characters, but I am interested to see what two new perspectives could bring to this story.

[wanderinginsideabook]

Lovers Like Us by Krista Richie and Becca Ritchie [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the second novel in the Like Us series

Synopsis: Twenty-seven-year-old Farrow Keene lives by his actions, and his actions say he’s the best at whatever he does. As a 24/7 bodyguard and the new boyfriend to Maximoff Hale, protecting the headstrong, alpha billionaire has never been more complicated. And one rule can’t be bent:

Keep your relationship secret from the public.

Farrow is confident he’s the best man for the job. But a twist in Maximoff’s fast-paced life sticks them with the rest of Security Force Omega and their clients.

On the road.

In a sleeper tour bus.

For four rocky months.

Sexual frustrations, check. Road trip drama, check. Awkward bonding, check.

But Farrow couldn’t have accounted for a high-risk threat (identity: unknown) that targets Maximoff before the ignition even turns. And it hits Farrow — someone has it out for the guy he loves.

Every day, Maximoff & Farrow's feelings grow stronger, and together, they'll either sink or swim.

Star Rating: 3.5/5

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book! I’m enjoying this series so much. It’s so good and entertaining and addicting. I really just don’t want to put these books down.

I loved getting to see more of Maximoff’s and Farrow’s relationship. I just loved seeing them spend time together and fall deeper in love with each other.

I also really loved the tour aspect of this book. Going into it, I wasn’t sure how it was going to play in but, for me, it really added a lot. I loved the bonding of Maximoff and his cousins and of the security team. It was all just so cute and adorable and lovely and had me smiling like a fool.

After the end of this book, I really can’t see what direction this series goes in.

[wanderinginsideabook]

Damaged Like Us by Krista Richie and Becca Ritchie [Review]

Synopsis: Maximoff Hale is a force of nature. A ship unwilling to be steered. Headstrong, resilient, and wholly responsible — the twenty-two-year-old alpha billionaire can handle his unconventional life. By noon, lunch can turn into a mob of screaming fans. By two, his face is all over the internet.

Born into one of the most famous families in the country, his celebrity status began at birth.

He is certified American royalty.

When he’s assigned a new 24/7 bodyguard, he comes face-to-face with the worst case scenario: being attached to the tattooed, MMA-trained, Yale graduate who’s known for “going rogue” in the security team — and who fills 1/3 of Maximoff's sexual fantasies.

Twenty-seven-year-old Farrow Keene has one job: protect Maximoff Hale. Flirting, dating, and hot sex falls far, far out of the boundary of his bodyguard duties and into “termination” territory. But when feelings surface, protecting the sexy-as-sin, stubborn celebrity becomes increasingly complicated.

Together, boundaries blur, and being exposed could mean catastrophic consequences for both.

Star Rating: 3.5/5

My Thoughts: I had never heard about this book or this series until recently, but once I heard the synopsis of it I just couldn’t get it out of my head. This kind of steamy romance isn’t one that I typically find myself reaching for, but I can’t deny that this book was definitely a good time.

I really enjoyed both Maximoff and Farrow as characters. Not only do I just find their names really cool, I find them both very interesting. They both felt like very fleshed out characters to me, and since this was a dual perspective book, I enjoyed being inside both of their heads.

I, of course, really enjoyed the romance between them. Between the steamy sex scenes, I enjoyed watching them slowly learn about each other and slowly learn to trust each other. It was all very sweet and romantic and, yes, steamy.

This also didn’t end quite in the way I was expecting. I foresaw some of the complications coming but the actual circumstances that took place really had me shook. That rumor was…something else for sure.

All in all, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I went into this, but I had a really good time with it. I’m really interested to continue on with the series.

[wanderinginsideabook]

Beyond the Kingdoms by Chris Colfer [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the fourth novel in the The Land of Stories series

Synopsis: Fairy tales are just the beginning.

The Masked Man is on the loose in the Land of Stories, and it's up to Alex and Conner Bailey to stop him...except Alex has been thrown off the Fairy Council, and no one will believe they're in danger.

With only the help of the ragtag group of Goldilocks, Jack, Red Riding Hood, and Mother Goose and her gander, Lester, the Bailey twins discover the Masked Man's secret scheme: He possesses a powerful magic potion that turns every book it touches into a portal, and he is recruiting an army of literature's greatest villains!

So begins a race through the magical Land of Oz, the fantastical world of Neverland, the madness of Wonderland, and beyond. Can Alex and Conner catch up to the Masked Man, or will they be one step behind until it's too late?

Star Rating: 3.5/5

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book! It was entertaining from start to finish, and I really enjoyed the departure from the previous books. Instead of introducing a conflict that would be solved by the end of the book, Colfer introduced a conflict that will need much more time and more books to bring to resolution, which I think is really cool.

Of course, I also enjoyed the introduction of characters outside of the fairy-tale world. Getting to see Colfer’s take on characters such as Peter Pan, King Arthur, and Robin Hood was really interesting.

Overall, I am really enjoying this series! I took a short break from the series while I went on vacation over the holidays, but I am back with it and I cannot wait to dive into the next book in the series!

[wanderinginsideabook]

A Grimm Warning by Chris Colfer [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the third novel in the The Land of Stories series

Synopsis: Conner Bailey thinks his fairy-tale adventures are behind him--until he discovers a mysterious clue left by the famous Brothers Grimm. With help from his classmate Bree and the outlandish Mother Goose, Conner sets off on a mission across Europe to crack a two-hundred-year-old code.

Meanwhile, Alex Bailey is training to become the next Fairy Godmother...but her attempts at granting wishes never go as planned. Will she ever be truly ready to lead the Fairy Council?

When all signs point to disaster for the Land of Stories, Conner and Alex must join forces with their friends and enemies to save the day. But nothing can prepare them for the coming battle...or for the secret that will change the twins' lives forever.

Star Rating: 4/5

My Thoughts: I’m having so much with this series! These books are so well written and the characters are so intriguing. I enjoy so much seeing where Colfer takes this story next.

I was really interesting where this book was going to go after the ending of the second novel, and I really like how everything was brought back together again. I felt like it all came together very naturally and wasn’t forced.

I still really like Alex and Conner as protagonists. They’re great by themselves and they’re amazing when they’re together. I also, as always, enjoy getting to see our established side characters and what they’re up to. Colfer also does a great job of introducing new characters and making you instantly connected to them.

After the ending of this novel, I’m really excited to see where the fourth book will go. Cannot wait to continue on with this series!

[wanderinginsideabook]

The King’s Men by Nora Sakavic [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the third novel in the All For the Game series

Synopsis: Neil Josten is out of time. He knew when he came to PSU he wouldn't survive the year, but with his death right around the corner he's got more reason than ever to live.

Befriending the Foxes was inadvisable. Kissing one is unthinkable. Neil should know better than to get involved with anyone this close to the end, but Andrew's never been the easiest person to walk away from. If they both say it doesn't mean anything, maybe Neil won't regret losing it, but the person Neil can't lie to is himself.

He's got promises to keep and a team to get to the championships if he can just outrun Riko a little longer, but Riko's not the only monster in Neil's life. The truth might get them all killed - or be Neil's one shot at getting out of this alive.

Star Rating: 4/5

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this whole series from start to finish. The first book was a really enjoyable read and the second and third both kept me hooked and flipping pages just as quickly as I could.

This was really great finale because it wrapped everything up perfectly. It wrapped up all of the storylines that had been introduced and did so (in my opinion) I’m really satisfying ways. It also wrapped up all of the characters perfectly. We had so many characters in this series go through some kind of development. It was really fun to watch all of these characters grow and become different and better people, and to imagine what they could all be like in a world beyond where this story leaves off.

Overall, I’m really glad I got to these books because they are so good! I think I’ll definitely be revisiting the Foxes a lot in the future.

[wanderinginsideabook]

Renegades by Marissa Meyer [Review]

Synopsis: The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies--humans with extraordinary abilities--who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice--and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to the villains who have the power to end them both.

Star Rating: 4/5

My Thoughts: I read The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer earlier this year, and I really liked it. It quickly became a favorite series of mine, and one I want to revisit again. With this book, I had a feeling I was really going to like it. Marissa Meyer’s writing paired with superheroes just sounded like a recipe for success. And it was.

I mostly listened to the audiobook for this, and can I just say that I adored that there were two narrators to differentiate between the different perspectives. It really added to the experience and I liked it a lot. I also really loved the characters so much. They were great and interesting on their own and I loved all of their scenes together. The cast of side characters was also great.

I loved the world that this was set in. I loved getting to learn about how the world got to be where it was when the story took place and about all of the powers. It was really great and fleshed out.

That ending was…wow. I kind of saw it coming but it still managed to surprise me. I think I really want to continue with this series. I can’t wait to see all of the twists and turns that Meyer can come up with.

[wanderinginsideabook]

The Raven King by Nora Sakavic [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the second novel in the All For the Game series

Synopsis: The Foxes are a fractured mess, but their latest disaster might be the miracle they've always needed to come together as a team. The one person standing in their way is Andrew, and the only one who can break through his personal barriers is Neil.

Except Andrew doesn't give up anything for free and Neil is terrible at trusting anyone but himself. The two don't have much time to come to terms with their situation before outside forces start tearing them apart. Riko is intent on destroying Neil's fragile new life, and the Foxes have just become collateral damage.

Neil's days are numbered, but he's learning the hard way to go down fighting for what he believes in, and Neil believes in Andrew even if Andrew won't believe in himself.

Star Rating: 4/5

My Thoughts: I liked the first book. I found it enjoyable and it kept me entertained the whole way through. I loved this second book. It kept me hooked so much, I couldn’t stop thinking about this and I just wanted to keep reading it and reading it to find out what would happen next.

I liked getting to see more of the characters from the first book, and of getting to learn more about them. We got more backstory on some of them, and I really enjoyed getting to see them fleshed out. I also just really like Neil as a main character.

The ending…it kept me turning pages just as fast as I could. I really can’t wait to jump into the third book and see how this all wraps up.

[wanderinginsideabook]

The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic [Review]

Synopsis: Neil Josten is the newest addition to the Palmetto State University Exy team. He's short, he's fast, he's got a ton of potential - and he's the runaway son of the murderous crime lord known as The Butcher.

Signing a contract with the PSU Foxes is the last thing a guy like Neil should do. The team is high profile and he doesn't need sports crews broadcasting pictures of his face around the nation. His lies will hold up only so long under this kind of scrutiny and the truth will get him killed.

But Neil's not the only one with secrets on the team. One of Neil's new teammates is a friend from his old life, and Neil can't walk away from him a second time. Neil has survives the last eight years by running. Maybe he's finally found someone and something worth fighting for.

Star Rating: 3/5

My Thoughts: I didn’t know a lot about this book going in, but I do remember seeing the title somewhere before. When I came across this as free on my NOOK app, I decided to give it a chance. Not knowing a lot about the story going in did leave me a little confused, but overall it was an enjoyable read.

This book read as fanfiction, and I don’t think that’s, inherently, a bad thing to say about a book. I love fanfiction, I read it quite often. Usually when I compare a published book to fanfiction, I mean it in the sense that it’s really dramatic and doesn’t often apply logic to its situations. None of that makes a book bad, and this one wasn’t either. I enjoyed it, but it was dramatic and the logic didn’t always add up.

The Foxes are…an interesting bunch. Their attitudes make for interesting relationships, though some of the things they do in this are…not good. I would definitely check the trigger and content warnings before going into this, because it is a heavy one.

Overall, I liked this and I’m interested to see what happens next.

[wanderinginsideabook]

The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer [Spoiler Review]

**Note: This review is marked as a spoiler because this book is the second novel in the The Land of Stories series

Synopsis: After decades of hiding, the evil Enchantress who cursed Sleeping Beauty is back with a vengeance.

Alex and Conner Bailey have not been back to the magical Land of Stories since their adventures in The Wishing Spell ended. But one night, they learn the famed Enchantress has kidnapped their mother Against the will of their grandmother, the twins must find their own way into the Land of Stories to rescue their mother and save the fairy tale world from the greatest threat it's ever faced.

Star Rating: 4/5

My Thoughts: I’m really enjoying this series so much! These books are so much fun, and this second one was no exception.

I loved seeing Alex and Conner again and how their adventures in the first novel had affected them. I loved getting to see our other established characters, and getting to learn more about the new characters. Like I said, these books are just a good time.

I’m really interested to see where the third book goes after that ending, because it’s definitely going to change some things I’m sure.