ALC Review: “Forget Me Not” by Julie Soto

Title: Forget Me Not
Author: Julie Soto
Narrators: Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton
Publisher: Hachette Audio / Forever
Source: Libro.fm *referral link
Publication Date: July 11th, 2023
Format: Audiobook/ALC
Length:  9 hours, 15 minutes (paperback: 352 pages)
Rating: ★★★★★

Add it on Goodreads
Buy the audio on: Libro.fm and support your local Indie
Buy the paperback on: Indigo | Your Local Independent Bookstore | Barnes & Noble | Amazon CA

Plot Summary:

A wedding planner and her grumpy ex must work together to plan a celebrity event in this deliciously spicy and funny novel from fanfic sensation Julie Soto.

Ama Torres is an optimistic wedding planner who doesn’t believe in marriage. But weddings? They’re amazing. Elliot Bloom is a brooding florist who hates owning a flower shop…until a certain bright-eyed, donut-loving workaholic shows up at his door.

Once upon a time, they collaborated on events by day, and by night, Ama traced the intricate flower tattoos etched along his body. Then Ama shattered his heart and never spoke to Elliot again.

Now they’re working on an event that could make or break both of their careers—except neither of them has gotten over what happened two years ago. Things are not helped by the two brides, who see the obvious chemistry between Ama and Elliot and are determined to set them up, not knowing their complicated history. But as the wedding takes on a life of its own, Ama and Elliot are about to discover that some things can survive a complete catastrophe . . .

Smart and hilarious, Forget Me Not is about two people giving themselves—and love!—a second chance.

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I received an audiobook ALC from Libro.fm in exchange for an honest review.

*Please note I do not earn commission if my referral link is used, simply a free audiobook if you start a membership.

Review: “The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy” by Megan Bannen

Title: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy
Author: Megan Bannen
Narrators: Rachanee Lumayno and Michael Gallagher
Publisher: Hachette Audio / Orbit Books
Source: Libro.fm *referral link
Publication Date: August 23rd, 2022
Format: Audiobook/ALC
Length: 12 hours, 15 minutes (paperback: 320 pages)
Rating: ★★★★★

Add it on Goodreads
Buy the audio on: Libro.fm and support your local Indie
Buy the paperback on: Indigo | Your Local Independent Bookstore | Barnes & Noble | Amazon CA

Plot Summary:

“A uniquely charming mixture of whimsy and the macabre that completely won me over. If you ever wished for an adult romance that felt like Howl’s Moving Castle, THIS IS THAT BOOK.” —Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient

Hart is a marshal, tasked with patrolling the strange and magical wilds of Tanria. It’s an unforgiving job, and Hart’s got nothing but time to ponder his loneliness.

Mercy never has a moment to herself. She’s been single-handedly keeping Birdsall & Son Undertakers afloat in defiance of sullen jerks like Hart, who seems to have a gift for showing up right when her patience is thinnest.

After yet another exasperating run-in with Mercy, Hart finds himself penning a letter addressed simply to “A Friend”. Much to his surprise, an anonymous letter comes back in return, and a tentative friendship is born.

If only Hart knew he’s been baring his soul to the person who infuriates him most—Mercy. As the dangers from Tanria grow closer, so do the unlikely correspondents. But can their blossoming romance survive the fated discovery that their pen pals are their worst nightmares—each other?

Set in a world full of magic and demigods, donuts and small-town drama, this enchantingly quirky, utterly unique fantasy is perfect for readers of The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Invisible Library.

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I received an audiobook ALC from Libro.fm in exchange for an honest review.

*Please note I do not earn commission if my referral link is used, simply a free audiobook if you start a membership.

Trying Book of the Month in Canada

Like most people who are active on bookish social media, I’ve been aware of Book of the Month for a long time. And envious of US readers who have access to it. Canada is left out of a lot of things or, if we aren’t, things are a lot more expensive for us. When Book of the Month announced it would be coming to Canada, so to speak, everyone was excited. Would we finally have a book subscription box that was flexible and affordable? Everyone waited with baited breath to find out.

Review: “The Kiss Curse” by Erin Sterling

Title: The Kiss Curse
Series: Ex Hex, #2
Author: Erin Sterling
Narrator: Shannon McManus
Publisher: HarperAudio / Avon Books
Source: Libro.fm *referral link
Publication Date: September 20th, 2022
Format: Audiobook/ALC
Length: 7 hours, 45 minutes (paperback: 320 pages)
Rating: ★★★★★

Add it on Goodreads
Buy the audio on: Libro.fm and support your local Indie
Buy the paperback on: Indigo | Your Local Independent Bookstore | Barnes & Noble | Amazon CA

Plot Summary:

The follow-up to Erin Sterling’s New York Times bestselling hit The Ex Hex features fan favorite Gwyn and the spine-tinglingly handsome Wells Penhallow as they battle a new band of witches and their own magical chemistry.

Gwyn Jones is perfectly happy with her life in Graves Glen. She, her mom, and her cousin have formed a new and powerful coven; she’s running a successful witchcraft shop, Something Wicked; and she’s started mentoring some of the younger witches in town. As Halloween approaches, there’s only one problem — Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow.

Wells has come to Graves Glen to re-establish his family’s connection to the town they founded as well as to make a new life for himself after years of being the dutiful son in Wales. When he opens up a shop of his own, Penhallow’s, just across the street from Something Wicked, he quickly learns he’s gotten more than he bargained for in going up against Gwyn.

When their professional competition leads to a very personal — and very ho t —kiss, both Wells and Gwyn are determined to stay away from each other, convinced the kiss was just a magical fluke. But when a mysterious new coven of witches come to town and Gwyn’s powers begin fading, she and Wells must work together to figure out just what these new witches want and how to restore Gwyn’s magic before it’s too late.

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I received an audiobook ALC from Libro.fm in exchange for an honest review.

*Please note I do not earn commission if my referral link is used, simply a free audiobook if you start a membership.

Book Blitz: “Kingdom of the Feared” by Kerri Maniscalco

Title: Kingdom of the Feared
Series: Kingdom of the Wicked, #3
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 27th, 2022
Page Count: 416 (hardcover edition)

Add it on Goodreads
Buy it on: Indigo | Your Local Independent Bookstore | Barnes & Noble | Amazon CA

Plot Summary: Two curses.
One prophecy.
A reckoning all have feared.

And a love more powerful than fate. All hail the king and queen of Hell.

Emilia is reeling from a shocking discovery about her sister, Vittoria. But before she faces the demons of her past, Emilia yearns to claim her king, the seductive Prince of Wrath, in the flesh. She doesn’t just desire his body; she wants his heart and soul—but that’s something the enigmatic demon can’t promise her.

When a high-ranking member of House Greed is assassinated, damning evidence somehow points to Vittoria as the murderer. Now, Emilia will do anything to get to the bottom of these accusations against the sister she thought she knew.

Together, Emilia and Wrath play a sin-fueled game of deception to solve the murder and stop the unrest that’s brewing between witches, demons, shape-shifters, and the most treacherous foes of all: the Feared. Emilia was warned that when it came to the Wicked, nothing was as it seemed. But have the true villains been much closer all along?

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco delivers sizzling romance, sexy secrets, and unexpected twists in this unforgettable conclusion to the Kingdom of the Wicked series.

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A Clockwork Reader Reading Journal

I used to keep a diary as a kid, a journal as a teen, but when I got into blogging that become the only place where I wrote down things that happened in my life. I’ve only ever used Goodreads to track what I’m reading, what I’ve read, and what I want to read.

But I’ve been seeing people post their reading journal spreads on Instagram more and more these days, and I’ve been so curious about it. I’ve been subscribed to AClockworkReader on youtube for years (and following on Instagram too). So imagine my delight when Hannah Azerang announced she designed a reading journal! I love her aesthetic, and the layout of the journal seemed perfect for those both new to reading journals, and those who have been keeping a reading journal or otherwise for a long time.

I’ve been using it for a bit now, and loving every minute of it. I enjoy sitting down and putting pen to paper, letting my thoughts and words flow out of me. I’m one of those people who doesn’t always remember what happens in books after I finish them, so it’s like creating a special keepsake just for me.

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A huge thanks to DK Books US for sending along a copy!

Koreadathon 2022 Wrap Up

Readathons are one of my favourite things about being part of the online book community. I didn’t participate in many until the pandemic when, like many of us, I found myself with a lot of time on my hands and not a lot to do. The Koreadathon in 2020 was something that brought me joy amidst an uncertain year. This year’s Koreadathon was the same, but with author events and a discord server I also felt really connected to the people participating in the readathon. We still chat in there from time to time, and I love that.

From March 7 – 13th, I did as much as I could to participate and complete challenges. After the 13th, I kept on reading through my tbr and more so I could continue to support Korean writers. (There happened to be two other Korean readathons happening in March – #KoreanMarch and #ManseMarch – which I think is really cool!)

Blog Tour | ARC Review: “Only A Monster” by Vanessa Len

Title: Only A Monster
Series: Monsters, #1
Author: Vanessa Len
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Literary Bound Tours / HarperCollins Canada
Publication Date: February 22nd, 2022
Format: eARC
Page Count: 416 (hardcover edition)
Rating: ★★★★

Add it on Goodreads
Buy it on: Indigo | Your Local Independent Bookstore | Barnes & Noble | Amazon CA

Plot Summary: The sweeping romance of Passenger meets the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song in this stunning contemporary fantasy debut from Vanessa Len, where the line between monster and hero is razor thin.

Don’t forget the rule. No one can know what you are. What we are. You must never tell anyone about monsters.

Joan has just learned the truth: her family are monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers.

And the cute boy at work isn’t just a boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to destroy her family.

To save herself and her family, Joan will have to do what she fears most: embrace her own monstrousness. Because in this story…she is not the hero.

Dive deep into the world of Only a Monster: hidden worlds dwell in the shadows, beautiful monsters with untold powers walk among humans, and secrets are the most powerful weapon of all.

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I received an eARC from Literary Bound Tours and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Koreadathon 2022 TBR

In July 2020, when we were all feeling the effects of the first year of the pandemic, I participated in the Koreadathon co-hosted by Monica Kim and Chloe from bookswithchloe. It was so much fun, and it made me feel connected to people even though it was virtual. It also really expanded the media I consumed and kicked off an appreciation for Korean art and food. I haven’t taken part in a readathon for a long time because I spent much of 2021 fighting a reading slump off and on.

So you can imagine how excited I was when Monica and Chloe announced that the Koreadathon is returning this year. From March 7-13th, people will be reading Korean books following some prompts (you can read as few or as many books as you want) and celebrating Korean culture. People from all cultures participate, and this year there’s a discord for us to chat throughout (which I’m so happy about). The chat has already been pretty active, with people introducing themselves and sharing recommendations for the challenges.

ARC Review: “The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: The Inheritance Games
Series: The Inheritance Games, #1
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: Library/Netgalley
Publication Date: September 1st, 2020
Format: Hardcover/eARC
Page Count: 376 (hardcover edition)
Rating: ★★★★

Add it on Goodreads
Buy it on: Indigo | Your Local Independent Bookstore | Barnes & Noble | Amazon CA

Plot Summary: A Cinderella story with deadly stakes and thrilling twists, perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out.

Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why – or even who Tobias Hawthorne is.

To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man’s touch – and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a con-woman, and he’s determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather’s last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

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I received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.