The essence of bed time procrastination lies within this book.

Thank you Harper Collins for the chance to read Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy early. The bookmail made my morning.

Finally a day off. Catching up on my book The Tiger at Midnight is my first priority of the day.

Blue spines on books just make me a little extra happy.

I don’t collect books for fun, I collect books for life.

Me

Spoiler Free Review of

Again, but Better by Christine Riccio

I went into this book extremely sceptical, I’ve been burned by booktuber books in the past and I was wary to say the least. I’m pleased to say I was pleasantly surprised by the author skills Christine brought to the table in this book.

Overall I got some vague Anna and the French Kiss vibes, but Christine really brought a lot of original thoughts to her story. Her main character Shane is extremely relatable to, well at least everyone I was friends with in high school and my early 20’s, so I’m going to imagine a large part of the general female population as well. Shane is awkward, shy at first and generally stumbles through life trying to please her parents first and her second. I’ve read other reviews that talk about the “instant” love on Shane’s part with the main guy Pilot, and I don’t agree … as a girl with little to no experience with guys, I don’t think it’s that she’s in love with him straight off the meeting, I think she’s excited about the idea of the possibility. She wants the whole deal, the holding hands, the spending time together, and Pilot was the crush that led the way down that road.

This book gives you an overall good feeling while reading and I’m happy to have added it to my shelf. There aren’t a million things I could say about this book with out giving everything away … however … this is a great contemporary read that leads you on a roller coaster of emotions, there’s a fun fantasy twist in the middle that left me feeling slightly off beat and behind, but who couldn’t use the chance to start over again.

The one thing that bothers me about this book is all the unanswered questions. Questions come up about her family life and how she grew up, there is a fantasy element to the book that isn’t explained and overall you’re left with some loose ends by the time the story is over. For a debut book by a young author, I give her props on a job well done. Like a quote from the book “ With five out of five, there’s no room to grow! Maybe next time will be five stars” Christine had a good first start, left room to grow and I know her next book will be just that little bit better.

I give this book 4 stars ⭐️ I’ll happily give anything else she comes out with a reading chance. Hope you will too.

Spoiler Free Review of

With the Fireon High by Elizabeth Acevedo

I’m a cook by trade, so I immediately connected with our main character Emoni in that aspect of her life. Cooking can feed your soul as well as your belly. I loved the recipes the author added within the story and have plans to try of few myself. Not everyone can understand how much food can be a part of who were are and who are families are, learning this part of the Peurto Rician culture was a great addition to the story. I thought the point that no matter how good you are at something, there’s always something to learn was incredibly valid these days and more people need to remember it going forward.

Emoni is also a mom, an incredibly young teenage mom, in the book you learn she had the baby when she was only 14. Here in the story she’s 17 and her baby girl Emma is 3, I appreciate the author for telling the other side of the pregnancy a little bit. So often in YA these days it’s the “Oops” moment. Where the 16 year old girl discovered she’s pregnant and the resulting chaos. Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs in the world when you’re an adult, never mind when you’re just a kid yourself. I hope someone out there takes a lesson from a few of the realities Elizabeth brings out during the story.

Favourite Quotes

“The world is a turntable that never stops spinning; as humans we merely choose the tracks we want to sit out and the ones that inspire us to dance.”

“Doesnt she know I still need her? That I still wish someone would look at the pieces of my life and tell me how to make sure they all fit back together?”

There’s was another one, but my little sticky came loose and I lost it. It had to do with the first time she had sex, and with it being more about being chosen then it was about wanting. Damn. I wish I could find it. I flipped through the whole book again and had no luck. Hopefully you’ll read this book, find the quote and know which one I meant.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced, full of teenage angst with all kinds of passion thrown in. Passion for family, culture and of course food.

I give this book 4 stars ⭐️

Indigo upped my points last weekend so you can bet I decided to Treat my self.

Spoiler Free Review of

Repeat by Kylie Scott

Well, I liked this book don’t get me wrong, but when you compare it to her other books I’ve read it’s … lacking a little something. There are parts to this book that just seem a little abrupt. For example, in the very first scene of the book our main character Clementine has already been attacked, lost her memory and is confronting her ex boyfriend. We don’t get very much information at all about how and why she was attacked and when we do get info, it’s brushed over very quickly. Which considering it’s a large part of the story act I found it disappointing.

The concept of the story is one we’ve seen before and I’m sure we will see again in the romance drama. There are only so many ways to spin a romance and with thousands of romance books out there it’s bound to happen. The author Kylie Scott brought her own spins too the story tho, I do love a good book nerd lead character, but details seemed rushed throughout the book.

I liked both main characters in this book. Clementine who’s forced to play detective for her own life, and feels disconnected with the people that are supposed to be closest to her. Ed, who had his heart brutally stomped on, yet still has enough feelings for Clem to help her figure her life in the new day to day out. Plus, let’s not forget Gordy … the sweet little dog and Clem’s interactions always brought a smile to my face.

Generally speaking I enjoyed the book, and don’t regret reading it, but it isn’t my favourite of the authors work as a whole.

I give this book 3 stars ⭐️

In honor of Read a Book Day, I have started Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.

Religion in Stormlight Archive

One thing I’ve really appreciated about this series is the wide spectrum of religious beliefs throughout this book. Jasnah is an atheist, Shallan holds onto the tradition of religion. Most of the characters believe and follow the Almighty. Other cultures have their own beliefs.

Szeths culture believes rocks are holy and the Alethi use rocks as a tool in just about every aspect of their lives.

In Words of Radiance, the characters Ym has a conversation with a local boy about religion. He claims, “Iriali need no preaching, only experience.” He believes people came from one consciousness and live seperate lives that will be reunited later on.

Brandon Sanderson himself is a Mormon but he poses realistic debates about if there is a God, and other perspectives on religion. These conversations aren’t the author screaming their opinions, it’s realistic worldbuilding. I’ve read some books that either don’t touch religion in their worlds, or force their worldviews on the reader every other page.

The debates and practices of religion in these books seems very realistic to me and I’ve loved learning about them.