Love, Chai, and Other Four-Letter Words by Annika Sharma – ARC Review

14 de January de 202213 de January de 2022 Joana @ Bookneeders2 Comments

Love, Chai, and Other Four-Letter Words by Annika Sharma

Series: N/A

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Published September 21st 2021

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Pages: 384

Format: ARC

Buy: Book Depository / Amazon

* Received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much! This doesn’t affect the review in any way. My opinions are, as always, my own.*

She’s determined to be the perfect daughter, until she meets the perfect guy

Kiran Mathur knows firsthand how dangerous love can be. After all, her sister’s marriage in India nearly destroyed Kiran’s family. So she’s decided to redeem romance herself—by not falling for anyone who might disappoint her parents. That is, until she meets her new neighbor Nash Hawthorne.

Nash is a dedicated psychologist and committed to being alone. His family life has taught him the inevitability of abandonment, and he isn’t ready to question his beliefs. But in spending time with Kiran, he starts to experience emotion he’s never felt before.

For both, love feels like a risk. But when the future only starts to make sense with each other, it might be time to follow their hearts…

Kiran, an Indian girl from a village in India moved to New York to study.

Nash, a psychologist, just moved to Kiran’s building.

Kiran’s family is extremely conservative and especially after her sister married a white guy, Kiran feels the need to be approved by her parents a lot more – and for that she has to marry an Indian Guy.

Nash has parental issues, which developed into commitment issues.

Can they even have a future together?

Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire – Review

10 de January de 202210 de January de 2022 Joana @ Bookneeders3 Comments

Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire
Series: Wayward Children #7
Publisher: Tordotcom
Published January 4th 2022
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy
Pages: 160
Format: Hardback
Buy: Book Depository | Amazon

Welcome to the Whitethorn Institute. The first step is always admitting you need help, and you’ve already taken that step by requesting a transfer into our company.

There is another school for children who fall through doors and fall back out again.
It isn’t as friendly as Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children.
And it isn’t as safe.

When Eleanor West decided to open her school, her sanctuary, her Home for Wayward Children, she knew from the beginning that there would be children she couldn’t save; when Cora decides she needs a different direction, a different fate, a different prophecy, Miss West reluctantly agrees to transfer her to the other school, where things are run very differently by Whitethorn, the Headmaster.

She will soon discover that not all doors are welcoming…

This is the first book in which we get to see some other schools like Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children. It’s name is Whitethorn Institute and it’s far from a good place! Cora, who we have met in past books, intends to change schools and go to Whitethorn Institute, but this place is far from what she expects.

I’m so happy this series got up again! I wasn’t a big fan of the last two books but this was fantastic!

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson – Review

8 de January de 2022 Joana @ Bookneeders2 Comments

A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
Series: N/A
Publisher: Nyx Publishing
Published January 31st 2021
Genres: Fiction, Horror, Fantasy
Pages: 248
Format: Paperback
Buy: Book Depository | Amazon

A lyrical and dreamy reimagining of Dracula’s brides, A Dowry of Blood is a story of desire, obsession, and emancipation.

Saved from the brink of death by a mysterious stranger, Constanta is transformed from a medieval peasant into a bride fit for an undying king. But when Dracula draws a cunning aristocrat and a starving artist into his web of passion and deceit, Constanta realizes that her beloved is capable of terrible things. Finding comfort in the arms of her rival consorts, she begins to unravel their husband’s dark secrets.

With the lives of everyone she loves on the line, Constanta will have to choose between her own freedom and her love for her husband. But bonds forged by blood can only be broken by death.

This is the best reimagining of Dracula’s Brides ever. It’s written as an open letter from Constanta, his first bride, explaining the why’s, what’s and how’s of their tale dating centuries. It’s beautiful, haunting and it grips you from the very first page.

In a way you can also see it as a fantasy tale revolving around Stockholm syndrome. The way Constanta describes their relationship with her lord and how it is born and develops, I think it also fits that view.

Constanta is her Lord’s first bride and so she is completely devoted, only seeing the bright side of him. But slowly, with some centuries and with the addition of an aristocrat and an artist to the family, she manages to see through the facade. She starts noticing who he really his and how much everything she knew until now is a lie. And what she has to do to make it all stop.

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune – Review

26 de December de 202129 de December de 2021 Joana @ Bookneeders2 Comments

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
Series: N/A
Publisher: Tor
Published September 21st 2021
Genres: Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Fiction
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Buy: Book Depository | Amazon

Under the Whispering Door is a contemporary fantasy with TJ Klune’s signature “quirk and charm” (PW) about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with.

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.

Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop’s owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.

But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.

When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.

By turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, this absorbing tale of grief and hope is told with TJ Klune’s signature warmth, humor, and extraordinary empathy.

This follows Wallace Price, a bit of a scrooge that manages a big law company. He dies shortly after the beginning of the book.

Then he is dead and the story follows his ghost in what could be described as the last station before the afterlife. He meets Hugo the ferryman, who is responsible for helping these souls cross, and the reaper Mei – and then we have Nelson and Apollo, who are souls that haven’t crossed yet.

It Won’t Be Christmas Without You by Beth Reekles – Review

6 de June de 2020 Joana @ BookneedersLeave a comment

Captura de ecrã 2017-06-30, às 18.44.22

It Won’t Be Christmas Without You by Beth Reekles

Series: N/A

Publisher: One More Chapter

Published August 30th, 2019

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Christmas

Pages: 203

Format: ARC

Buy: Amazon

* Received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much! This doesn’t affect the review in any way. My opinions are, as always, my own.*

From the author of the smash hit Netflix romcom The Kissing Booth!

Eloise, a self-confessed Christmas obsessive, can’t wait for the big day. Devoted to her Michael Bublé playlist, she’s organising the school nativity play and even her gorgeous Grinch of a neighbour, James, can’t get her down.

Her workaholic twin sister, Cara, on the other hand, plans to work over the holiday – and figure out what secrets her seemingly-perfect boyfriend George might be keeping from her.

The sisters used to be close but since Cara moved to London, everything’s been different. Only, Eloise isn’t giving up just yet, and with a white Christmas on the cards, Cara can’t fail to be moved by the magic of the season … can she?

Captura de ecrã 2017-06-30, às 18.09.21 I can’t believe I forgot to write a review for this urgh! Sorry >-<

Back in December and January I read quite some Christmas books. I love Christmas and this is a book from the author of the Netflix romcom The Kissing Booth, which I enjoyed. But this book felt just average to me (although I would totally see a movie of it! So, finger crossed Netflix adapts it!).

It’s a cute and quick read but I had some problems distinguishing the two main characters? It took me some time to fully assimilate who was who and being a short read, that’s not a good thing.

Other than that it was a very cute and sweet Christmas book with a side of romance – which I was all in for-, the importance of family and sisterhood. I became very invested in the characters’ adventures through the Christmas days and the love that started to bloom.

I also really enjoyed the format of the novel – counting the days – it felt super exciting to me. Overall this is a quick easy Christmassy read that I would love to see on screen!

Captura de ecrã 2017-06-30, às 18.18.22

Captura de ecrã 2017-05-20, às 11.15.59.png

What did you think of it? Have you read it? Let’s discuss it in the comments below!

Wrapped Up for Christmas by Katlyn Duncan ARC Review

15 de January de 202015 de January de 2020 Joana @ BookneedersLeave a comment

Image result for wrapped up for christmas book

Wrapped Up for Christmas by Katlyn Duncan

Series: N/A

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Published: October 1st, 2019

Genres: Chick-Lit, Christmas, Romance

Pages: 384

Format: ARC

Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

* Received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much! This doesn’t affect the review in any way. My opinions are, as always, my own.*

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… but not for Angie Martinelli…

Having lost her boyfriend, job, and apartment all in the space of a week, Angie has no choice but to leave California and return to her family in New England.

Determined not to let life weigh her down, Angie finds work at the local mall where she worked as a teenager. After an embarrassing run-in with a handsome stranger, Nick, she’s convinced her luck is about to change.

But Nick has secrets of his own… and as the first flakes of snow begin to fall, Angie can’t help but wonder if she’ll ever find love.

Captura de ecrã 2017-06-30, às 18.09.21 This was so adorable! I literally could put this down and read it in two sittings. Such a feel-good story!

This is Angie’s story. She just had a bad break-up, lost her job and had to move home to her parent’s house. Needless to say, this was not how her Christmas was supposed to go. Nonetheless, Angie makes the best of it and enjoys the comfort of being near her family and friends, finds a new job even if it’s not ‘the’ one, and even a new romance. It’s not easy for her to put herself so soon in a romantic situation but sometimes life just happens… it might not go how you predict but it might just go where it should.

Angie was the kindest sweetest person and I loved how much she cared for everyone around her. She’s intelligent, self-sufficient, strong and I loved to see her ultrapass every obstacle life put in front of her. I also loved how much initiative she had and how much she worked for something she believed in. It was beautiful to see and we need more of those thoughts and actions!

I loved her friendship with Reese and how sweet she was for everyone near her. Reese was very different from her, a lot more blunt and harsh but with a heart of gold. Their friendship was beautiful and I dearly enjoyed their moments together.

As for our love interest, Nick. He was definitely a good guy with his heart in place even if sometimes his actions didn’t shine through the way they were supposed to. I loved seeing him with Angie and I could feel their spark and attraction through the pages. Their romance started quite fast but sometimes that’s just how it is, and it doesn’t mean it’s not right. I loved them together and I think they were perfect for each other.

This book is full of holiday cheer, sweet moments, it’s a fair share of drama and a lot of romantic moments.

If you’re a fan of sweet, feel-good Christmas stories this is for you! It was gripping and just the perfect holiday book to curl up and read on a cold day.

What did you think of it? Are you excited about this book? Let’s discuss it in the comments below!

A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley – ARC Review

19 de November de 201915 de December de 2019 Joana @ BookneedersLeave a comment

Captura de ecrã 2017-06-30, às 18.44.22

A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley

Series: N/A

Publisher: Avon

Released on October 31st, 2019

Genres: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Christmas

Pages: 400

Format: ARC

Buy: Book Depository | Amazon

* Received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much! This doesn’t affect the review in any way. My opinions are, as always, my own.*

Christmas in Cornwall is just around the corner…

But after last Christmas revealed a shocking family secret, Scarlett’s hardly feeling merry and bright. All she wants this Christmas is to know who her real father is.

So Scarlett heads to the little Cornish town of Porthmellow, where she believes the truth of her birth is hidden. She just didn’t bargain on being drawn into the Christmas festival preparations – or meeting Jude Penberth, whose charm threatens to complicate life further.

Everything will come to a head at Porthmellow’s Christmas Festival … But can Scarlett have the perfect Christmas this year, or are there more surprises on the way?

Curl up with this gorgeous novel and savour the world of Porthmellow Harbour.

A Cosy Christmas in Cornwall by Jane Linfoot

21 de October de 201915 de December de 2019 Joana @ BookneedersLeave a comment

Captura de ecrã 2017-06-30, às 18.44.22

A Cosy Christmas in Cornwall by Jane Linfoot

Series: N/A

Publisher: One More Chapter

Expected publication: October 19th, 2019

Genres: Romance, Christmas

Pages: –

Format: ARC

Buy: Amazon

* Received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much! This doesn’t affect the review in any way. My opinions are, as always, my own.*

A December to remember…

Christmas in a Cornish castle? Sign Ivy Starforth up! Hired to kit out the holiday rental as the world’s most Instagramable festive dreamland, there’s only one thing standing in the way of her hefty paycheque – the lord of the manor.

Bill Markham could give Scrooge a run for his money but Ivy is firmly #TeamChristmas…even if her handsome host seems to be doing everything he can to sabotage her staging. Maybe she shouldn’t have stumbled in on him starkers in the hot tub?

As the temperature outside cools, things inside the castle heat up. It’s been a long time since Ivy allowed herself to give in to temptation…surely one little kiss under the mistletoe won’t hurt?

Unwritten by Tara Gilboy – ARC Review

18 de October de 201915 de December de 2019 Joana @ BookneedersLeave a comment

Captura de ecrã 2017-06-30, às 18.44.22

Unwritten by Tara Gilboy

Series: N/A

Publisher: Jolly Fish Press

Published October, 16th 2018

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy

Pages: 198

Format: ARC

Buy: Book Depository | Amazon

* Received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much! This doesn’t affect the review in any way. My opinions are, as always, my own.*

Twelve-year-old Gracie Freeman is living a normal life, but she is haunted by the fact that she is actually a character from a story, an unpublished fairy tale she’s never read. When she was a baby, her parents learned that she was supposed to die in the story, and with the help of a magic book, took her out of the story, and into the outside world, where she could be safe.

But Gracie longs to know what the story says about her. Despite her mother’s warnings, Gracie seeks out the story’s author, setting in motion a chain of events that draws herself, her mother, and other former storybook characters back into the forgotten tale. Inside the story, Gracie struggles to navigate the blurred boundary between who she really is and the surprising things the author wrote about her. As the story moves toward its deadly climax, Gracie realizes she’ll have to face a dark truth and figure out her own fairy tale ending.

Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories

15 de October de 201915 de October de 2019 Joana @ BookneedersLeave a comment

04082017-IMG_6808

Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories edited by Stephenie Perkins
Series: N/A
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Published May 17th, 2016
Genres: Anthologies, YA, Romance
Pages: 388
Format: Paperback
Buy: Book Depository | Amazon

Maybe it’s the long, lazy days, or maybe it’s the heat making everyone a little bit crazy. Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time for love to bloom. Summer Days & Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.

Featuring stories by Leigh Bardugo, Francesca Lia Block, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Brandy Colbert, Tim Federle, Lev Grossman, Nina LaCour, Stephanie Perkins, Veronica Roth, Jon Skovron, and Jennifer E. Smith.