Reading Wrap Up – January 2025

If January is any indication of my 2025 year in reading (and in reading ONLY), it’s going to be a damn good year. And I Mean that in every bone of my body. Not only did I love everything I read, but I read a lot. To go along with that, I feel invigorated to share about it all- to talk through all the books and my thoughts in a way that I don’t think I did in 2024. I read a total of 10 books and gave out an average rating of 3.7. Not too shabby to start off the year!

Let’s get into them- if you want a quick just book by book, check out my IG or TikTok (acuppacosy). 

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson 4.5 Brandon Sanderson is always going to be a win for me. I feel like I’m starting to get back into high fantasy, and what better place to start than one of my favorite authors? The world building, character development, and storytelling is masterful, and it was such an enjoyable read. 

Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings 4 Let me tell you- watching toxicity/reality tv is kind of a guilty pleasure of mine and this book was exactly that. Somehow you feel all of the feelings WITH and AT the characters in this book. The friend group and relationships in this book are all so toxic and you as the reader know they are, the characters know they are, but it’s all done a bit tongue and cheek that makes it bearable and have you fully invested in every moment. 

The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden 3 I think I’ve resigned myself to what I’ve known all along- I’m not really a Freida person. I’m not knocking anyone who is- I think she’s a solid writer and her books are super easy to read, I just am not feeling them to be honest. I don’t really have much more to say on this one- it was fine. 

Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas 3.75 I was a little worried about this one- it’s a “dark romance”, HOWEVER, it didn’t feel like it was all that dark. At least not to me. The setting itself is dark (and maybe that is the dark portion), so any potentially questionable acts were tame in comparison to what they experienced in the “college”. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this until the very end, where I questioned everything, I read and then needed the next book immediately. 

The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy 3.5 Elle Kennedy is quickly becoming my favorite “go-to” author for a sports romance. I know I’ll enjoy anything she puts out and it’ll be a nice chance to step back without feeling full on cheesy hallmark romance. She manages to bring in real world issues and events and things that happen every day, but in a way that feels real? I’m not sure how to say it- she brings in the real in a way that feels natural, not forced and not just a plot device. 

Daisy Haites by Jessa Hastings 3.75 Take it from me- this should be read either in tandem or directly after Magnolia Parks. You are in the same time period as Magnolia Parks, but from a different viewpoint and different friend group that loosely associates with Magnolia Parks’ group. There is crossover and I really enjoyed this alternate viewpoint. I actually prefer Daisy to Magnolia, BUT I wish I had read this sooner after Magnolia- it might have gotten a higher rating then. 

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros 4.5 I’ve somehow said a million words about this book AND STILL cannot manage to form coherent words. While I do have a complaint where the pacing of this book feels a bit off, I LOVED being back in this world. And we are in the world- we’ve gone further out and have learned so much in this book. And that ending?! Ready for the next one, please and thank you. 

The Favorites by Layne Fargo 4.5 Ok, I need to read this and that’s saying something given the content. I’m infamous for not liking figure skating books because, to be honest, they are unrealistic for the most part (looking at you Icebreaker). This one though? This was everything. It took my right back to my own skating days and all of the politics, melodrama, and…just life that is the figure skating world. I loved it. 

Heartless by Elsie Silver 3 I’ve been working my way through the Chestnut Springs books by Elsie Silver and overall enjoying them. My biggest complaint with this one is there is something that is used as a plot device that I despise. It brought the entire rating down for me (I had truly enjoyed it in so many ways up till that point). 

Hopeless by Elsie Silver 3.5 This book- so much good in this book. Similar to Elle Kennedy, Elsie Silver can wield real world issues in a way that feel real to both the story and the characters. She worked through PTSD, Alcoholism, abuse and so much more in this romance. 

And that’s it! February has gotten off to a bit of a slower start, and I don’t think it will be as large of a stack based on my calendar, but I’m hoping for the best and some more good reads!

acuppacosyLeave a comment

A Cuppa Cosy Reads – May 2023

***Before I get into this post- I recognize that it’s been radio silent over here for the full month. I’m sorry- More info coming soon!!***

Another month has come to an end and boy was it a doozy. I saw a reel that talked about how May is busier than December and, to be honest, I wholeheartedly agree. It was incredibly busy, with changes and meetings and a whole lot of waiting around for documents. But it was also good- we got a taste of Spring, a taste of Summer, and I got a whole weekend to myself when the boys went camping. I didn’t think I was going to have the greatest reading month, but I am here to say- it wasn’t as bad as expected! I somehow managed to read 7 books and give an average rating of 3.1. I keep wondering- as life gets busier, when will my reading slow down a bit more, but I don’t know that it will. I’ve found myself trying to be better about turning to books (rather than my phone) to wind down and decompress (aka disassociate after being around people so much). It’s a slow, over time goal, but it’s happening. 

So, the books…

Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams 4 Stars As always, I really enjoy stepping back into this town, into these characters and the stakes stay low but not too low. It’s more lifechanging stakes rather than death stakes and I really appreciate that in a cozy mystery. This book was unique to the series as we learned a bit more of our main characters backstory and history prior to present day. 

Authentically Izzy by Pepper Basham 3 Stars So…I enjoyed this- it’s written 60% in emails and such between our characters and while I felt like that added to the story, it then made the “in person” interactions feel different. It was a fine romance and one I enjoyed but I found the main character to be a bit too much of a pushover at times and it took her a bit to figure herself out (which I get is normal and human, but for me was a bit…much).

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 5 Stars Welcome to my new obsession. I’m in love. I’m going to push this book on to everyone that I can. Picture- dragons, dragons that actually play a prominent and important role, picture a school where all the kids are above age, picture a rivals to lover’s slow burn, and then picture a twist at the end that leaves you wrenched out of yourself. Enjoy!

The Marriage Act by John Marrs 3.5 Stars I feel like John Marrs is one of those authors I will always buy because I know the books will be good, even if they start to get a bit…tried and true and old at times. This is the third of his (I think) in this futuristic world- post The One. I would say this was probably my least favorite of the bunch, mostly because I think something needs to change in these novels. It’s becoming a bit – same plot, different characters/story. 

One of Us is Dead by Jeneva Rose 3.5 Stars I was hesitant to pick this one up after the disaster that was The Hunting Wives, but I’m glad I did. It’s fast paced, well written, and the small rich community politics is…accurate. The twist was…not shocking, but it didn’t ruin the vibe the book was going for and I enjoyed it. 

Awakening The Zodiac Academy (1) 0 Stars I despised this book, and I don’t know how much of that is the author’s fault- because had I been fully aware of the trope this book follows (and it’s a bully romance so there you go), I would have never picked it up. I spent the entire time beyond uncomfortable and I got rid of the book almost immediately. 

One for My Enemy by Olivie Blake 3 Stars So this would be my second Olivie Blake book. I read 75% of Atlas Six, which I ended up having to put down as it just went…too far and too overcomplicated in the plot, and I am not sure if she is the author for me. I LIKED this book; HOWEVER, I feel like in the last two acts it became to wrapped in making this grand plot work, this large overarching scheme to the story, which then led to the actual story becoming tedious and…not boring but boring. And I think this was a similar problem that I had with Atlas Six. So, I’m not sure where I stand with Olivie Blake. 

And that wraps up my May! I’ve kicked off June with a reread and a whole bunch of new books! 

acuppacosyLeave a comment