A Cuppa Cosy Reads – May 2025

Um hi- where did May go and why is June going just as fast? I’m literally writing this post on a late evening because quite honestly, I have no time, but I really want to keep up with all the things (this is definitely me and how I handle life). Somehow June is shaping up to be just as busy as May, coinciding with a move- which means things should be winding down, except I’m me and I keep saying yes! 

Anyways- you didn’t come here to read about that this week, that was last week (and maybe next week who knows). You came here today to hear about all the books I read in May- and boy did I read books in May. I read a total of 9 books and gave an average 3.54 rating. There were some real highs and some real lows there, and only one “this was fine” book in there. 

So, without further ado…

Wild by Cheryl Strayed NR This takes the cake as my least favorite of the month and honestly probably of the year. We picked this for our book club and honestly- hated every minute. I could write an entire thesis on it, but the wonderful people on good reads have already done it (I did give an entire essay verbally at book club though). 

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose 4.5 Stars I actually loved this one- the set-up, the storyline, the ending- this was exactly what I wanted in a thriller…

The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose 2 Stars However this was completely unnecessary and relied on the same plot devices as the first (which you spend the entire book going- surely, she wouldn’t). I did not need to read it and I will not continue if there are new books with this same character. 

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey 3.75 Stars This was a solid romance, HOWEVER it felt flat in terms of characters. I felt like I was being told all these anxious things and being told that the characters felt this way, but I didn’t feel that. I also felt like the wrap up was very convenient. 

The Royals Upstairs by Karina Halle 3 Stars This is my OK book of the month. It’s a sister book and I just didn’t really need it. Convenient and not enough of the couple from the first book. 

Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 4 Stars This was a good literary fiction read. I always enjoy when women make fields work for them, especially in era’s when it was harder, and this was one of those stories. This was just a really lovely read, hard at times, but overall, so good to read. 

Off to the Races by Elsie Silver 3.5 Stars I think one of my favorite aspects of this was the horse racing and that we were following an owner/trainer- this wasn’t something I had read before, and I really enjoyed it. I am going to continue on in the series as I know Elsie Silver will always be a solid romance for me. 

Tentacle Kitty by John Merritt NR I picked this up at the book fair because it looked adorable- creatures sharing tales of adventure around an afternoon tea? Sign me up. And it delivered- just a fun short read! 

Little Heaven by Nick Cutter 4 Stars This was my final read of the month and what a way to go out. What Nick Cutter does so well is really setting the atmosphere, while you’re reading, you really get absorbed into his world and when you come out of it it takes a little bit of time. I always know his books are going to be dark, uncomfortable, and all encompassing. 

And that’s it for the month of May! It was a good reading month overall (I don’t know how I did it to be honest) and with summer coming, all the travel happening, and a break from saying yes to everything…well I’m looking forward to how many books I’ll be consuming!! 

acuppacosyLeave a comment

A Cuppa Cosy Reads – September 2021

Well, we’ve come to the end of another month and I’m once again sat here wondering…where did the month go??? It was a busy one for us, we traveled at the beginning, and then school started, Autumn sports started, I got a little burned out in doing some forward planning and thinking about all the things that are coming, and it seemed like the world just continued much the way it has been over the past year or two. It was just…wow. You would think I would run to a book, take to reading and escaping even more and yet, it wasn’t a great reading month. I feel like there was a lot of…this was fine/ok, but not a lot of in-depth thoughts happening about really any of the books that I read. It was just a very…meh reading month to be honest. 

For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing 4 Stars  Ok, I was a bit on the fence about this one, but upon reflection I think I enjoyed it more than I thought. We are following a couple of characters at a prestigious private school who all just want the best for themselves/their friends/ their students and will go to whatever lengths to do what they think is right and best. While I think this was good and well done, and I enjoyed the overall concept, I do feel like there could have been a bit of change or editing. There were a couple bits that were…unnecessary? Or were intended to be like red herrings, but in reality, had just nothing to do with anything. 

Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurlan 4 Stars Ah, if I had to guess, I would say this was the book that started the reading mood I found myself in as the month wore on. There is just something to be said about reading a book from a variety of psychopath’s perspectives that will…just do something to you. Now, don’t get me wrong I really liked this book- the hunter becomes the hunted? Yes please. BUT there is something about reading from points of views of people who don’t “feel” as we do that just makes it…a struggle. 

Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer 4 Stars I think that Kemmerer is just one of my go to light romance, light fantasy authors that I know will give me a book that I enjoy and captivates me. This was my fourth of hers that I’ve read and, similar to the other three, I enjoyed this one. 

To Be Taught If Fortunate by Becky Chambers 3 Stars This is a novella that is space centered, like many of her other books. I don’t have a lot to say about this one as it was shorter, but I will say (and maybe this is because it was shorter) but what I will say is there is quite a bit more of the “science-y” stuff that I struggled with in this one. 

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé 4 Stars I think this was probably one of my most unnerving books that I read this year. This is an academic thriller, with very much Gossip Girl vibes (a mystery person sending out texts that harm others reputations), but with much more sinister undertones and connotations. It hits you in a way that you don’t expect when you find out the common denominator (though as a reader I feel like we figure it out much faster), but it brings up quite a bit of good social commentary that could start some very important social commentary.

The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle 4 Stars This is the final book I’m going to talk about, the final book I’ve read at this point, and the easiest fastest read of the month. I think I’ve settled on my overly specific romance genre I prefer- which is royal or royal adjacent romances. In this case, the neighbor and the bodyguard. It’s good, some of the romantic thoughts made me giggle, and there was definitely some smut, but also some sweetness. A true win to the end of the month. 

I’m sure I’ll still read another book before the month ends, or maybe I won’t this month has been a strange one in terms of reading. What about you?

acuppacosyLeave a comment