Emily Wilde´s encyclopaedia of fairies by Heather Hawcett

Series: Emily Wilde (#1)

Format: 336 pages, Paperback

Published: January 19, 2023 by Orbit

Historical fantasy/own

This was delightful! I am very happy I tried it.

Our world, but with fairies. Emily is putting together an Encyclopedia and goes on a trip to an island far way. A cold Island with elusive fairies. And Fae who suddenly steal more people then they used to.

Then her annoying rival Wendell shows up too, and so easily befriends everyone! While she just want to write her paper!

There is some tension there that is more than just anger at a rival, so just let it go Emily.

I liked the Island and its people, Think Iceland ;)

But trouble is coming, why are so many stolen? I cant say more.

I really enjoyed it. It was like a warm blanket

Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other people.

So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily's research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries--lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart.

Carole´s Wednesday: The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers

 

Author: Angie Fox

Title: The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers

Series: Demon Slayer #2

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, UF

Format: ebook

Pages: 294

Published: April 28, 2009

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Demon slaying powers should come with an instruction book ... Seriously. Why does a new hair dryer have a twelve-page how-to manual, but when it comes to ancient demon-fighting hocus-pocus, my biker witch granny gives me just half a dozen switch stars and a rah-rah speech? Oh, and a talking terrier, but that's another story. It's not like my job as a preschool teacher prepared me for this kind of thing.

So I've decided to write my own manual, The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers, because no one tells me anything. Dimitri my "protector" may be one stud of a shape-shifting griffin, but he always thinks he can handle everything by himself. Only he's no match for the soul-stealing succubi taking over Las Vegas. If I can't figure out how to save him—and Sin City—there'll be hell to pay.

Review:

Yayyy for the TBR challenge making me dig through the archives of books I've meant to read but just forgot. This is a slight stretch to the prompt for this month, but it works ;)

We are back with Lizzy. She wanted a nice quiet life as a preschool teacher, but she has demon slaying powers that she needs to learn how to use. This should've come with an instruction book...maybe she'll just write it herself. While still training and learning, another task pops up. Soul-stealing succubi are taking over Las Vegas. With her friends, she will have to save Sin City and her uncle AND her protector, Dimitri. 

I really should've done a quick read of book 1. It has been SO long since I read it. I don't really remember a lot. The book did fine as a standalone I guess, but (if I remember right) there is a lot from book 1 that is important to know. 

Awwwwww that puppers of hers! I forgot how adorable he was. 

Her granny made me chuckle. 

Lizzy was sweet. 

Love our gang of biker witches. So fresh! So cool!

I wanted more of Dimitri because I barely remember him. 

But yes, this was okay. I'm glad I finally got to read this. However, I really should've done at least a quick scan read of book 1 to refresh my memory of these characters and what happened. 

I think I would've appreciated this more if I remembered more. I was confused a lot. 

3 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Pirate!!!! Lizzy is lovely

Least Favorite Character(s): The uncle

 Challenge(s):

- TBR #9 (Friend squad)

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

9/16/2025 What would you do if you won the lottery?

How much are we talking about here? Enough to quit my job and live well the rest of my life? I could like temp now and then when they need someone...or not.

And buy books! Not think just buy. I also wanna build a tower to read in and see the sea ;) Oh and buy a summer cottage by the sea.

Buy better things.

9/23/2025 Which fictional character do you wish were a real person?

9/30/2025 If you could live in a different country for a year, which country would you choose?

10/7/2025 What's a movie or TV show that you'd recommend to everyone?

10/14/2025 Has a book ever ignited a hobby/passion in you?

10/21/2025 What’s something you rebelled against as a kid?

10/28/2025 What was your favorite Halloween (or cosplay) costume? *Bonus for photos!

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

The innocent sleep by Seanan MCGuire

 

Series: October Daye (#18)

Format: 419 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published: August 27, 2024 by DAW

UF/own

Did we really need Tybalt´s view? Eh, maybe not. I would honestly just had a new book and not the same story just from this pov. Sure it brought more to the story, the plight of the Cat Sidhe and everyone else not worthy.

Right, same story as in book 17 but here Tybalt is not under the illusion as the rest of the Fae and he must find his wife and set the world right.

It was still good.

For one bright, shining moment, Tybalt, King of Cats, had everything he had ever wanted. He was soon to set his crown aside; he had married the woman he loved; he was going to be a father. After centuries of searching for a family of his own, he had finally found a way to construct the life of his dreams, and was looking forward to a period of peace—or at least as much peace as is ever in the offing for the husband of a hero.

Alas for Tybalt and his domestic aspirations, fate—and Titania—had other ideas. His perfect world had been complete for only a moment when it was ripped away, to be replaced by hers. Titania, Faerie’s Summer Queen, Mother of Illusions and enemy of so many he holds dear, has seized control of the Kingdom, remaking it in her own image. An image which does not include meddlesome shapeshifters getting in her way. Tybalt quickly finds himself banished from her reality, along with the Undersea and the rest of the Court of Cats.

To protect his people and his future, Tybalt must find the woman he loves in a world designed to keep her from him, convince her that he’s not a stranger trying to ruin her life for no apparent reason, and get her to unmake the illusion she’s been firmly enmeshed in. And he’ll have to do it all while she doesn’t know him, and every unrecognizing look is a knife to his heart.

For Tybalt, King of Cats, the happily ever after was just the beginning.

The Housemaid´s secret by Freida McFadden

Series: The Housemaid (#2)

Format: 352 pages, Paperback

Published: July 11, 2023 by Hachette Mobius

Thriller/Library

It did start a bit slower. I am also happy that I read it because I remember reading some reviews that said it was alike book 1. It was not!

McFadden managed to surprise me again with her twists and turns. Bravo. Some dark stuff going on here.

Millie has a new job, but something is wrong. The wife hides in a bedroom. The husband seems caring, but there is blood. And Millie does solve problems....

Again, I can not say much, because twists and turns! It gets really dark for Millie this time around.

Good book. Now I wonder about that next one. Will she really manage to surprise me again?

It's hard to find an employer who doesn't ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing fancy meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want. It's almost perfect. But I still haven't met Mrs Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I'm sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I'm doing laundry. And one day I can't help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything...

That's when I make a promise. After all, I've done this before. I can protect Mrs. Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe. Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to pay. It's simply a question of how far I'm willing to go...

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

9/9/2025 What’s your favorite room in your house?

I do not know if I have a favorite room, I like all rooms equally. But if I have to choose I guess the bedroom cos there you read and relax. But...I mean our terrace is just outside our house, but still apart so I would like to choose that too. It is always so warm and lovely there.

9/16/2025 What would you do if you won the lottery?

9/23/2025 Which fictional character do you wish were a real person?

9/30/2025 If you could live in a different country for a year, which country would you choose?

10/7/2025 What's a movie or TV show that you'd recommend to everyone?

10/14/2025 Has a book ever ignited a hobby/passion in you?

10/21/2025 What’s something you rebelled against as a kid?

10/28/2025 What was your favorite Halloween (or cosplay) costume? *Bonus for photos!

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Carole's Monday. Secret, lies and fireflies

Author: Angie Fox

Narrator: Hollie Jackson

Title: Secrets, Lies, and Fireflies

Series: Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #14

Genre: Paranormal, Cozy Mystery

Format: Audiobook 

Published: August 5, 2025

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Verity’s grandmother returns to help Verity and Frankie solve a mystery that reveals a shocking family secret, as well as the heartwarming history of Verity’s home. This is one family reunion you don’t want to miss!

Review:

I love, love, love this series. I'm sad I'm all caught up and now have to wait for the next one???? WHAT!?!?!?! EEE. 

We are back with Verity and the gang. Things have found a nice calmness. However, things are about to be shook up when a fire breaks out at the library and Verity's grandmother's ghost returns. She is back to help Verity and Frankie with this mystery that is tied to a family secret. 

First off..........where did my beloved narrator go?! She IS Verity and all the other characters. I am so bummed she did not read this one. I should look it up and see why we has to switch. Don't get me wrong.......I did warm up to this narrator but it just wasn't the same. 

Besides my world being tilted because of the change of the narrator.......I enjoyed this one a lot. Verity will be face-to-face with her grandma who she loved so much. However, she has been scared that she disappointed her since the family house had to be stripped away when Verity had zero money years and years ago. Some things have been replaced but she has had a lot of guilt on her shoulders losing some of her grandma's things. I loved that Verity got this chance to finally get a chance to talk to her grandma and let go of this guilt.

I also loved watching Verity grow more. There were times she was acting so selfish in this book, but I get it. If my grandma came back from the light....I wouldn't want her to go back either. However, grandma staying wasn't going to help anyone. 

Frankie!!! I love him. My heart broke when he was all, "This is the only home I've ever had!" OMG. Some nice growth and emotional break throughs for this boy. 

And Lucy. They true MVP!!!!!

I love them all!!!!

Ooo and the mystery was so good. I don't want to spoil anything! 

All-in-all, I enjoyed this one and the series is still as good as book 1. Some ups and some less ups (hehe), but all good overall. I can't wait for the next book! I hope and pray our old narrator comes back, but this new one did okay overall. 4 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Lucy!!! And I do love Ellis a lot

Least Favorite Character(s): Our baddie and that lawyer fella!

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #40

- Cloak & Dagger #25

How to become a Dark Lord or Die trying

Series: Dark Lord Davi (#1)

Format: 392 pages, Paperback

Published: May 21, 2024 by Orbit

Fantasy/own

I do hate a groundhog type of book, luckily, most of that is over with already. Davi has been doing this for 1000 years! And just said F it all, I am going evil.

Davi came from our world, fell into a fantasy world and was told she was their saviour, but for the last 1000 years she has been killed by different Dark Lords and everything has started again. Yeah I would be fed up with it too.

It is written with humour, very dark too, and there is lots of talk about suicide and other dark things. She has been been brutally murdered and tortured for a 1000 years.

She gathers a horde and sets out to become a Dark Lord....things will get tricky...

I liked it, and I do want the next one to see how it all ends. Because, I mean, will she go and kill all humans? That is the path of the Dark Lord. We will see.

Groundhog Day meets Guardians of the Galaxy in Django Wexler’s laugh-out-loud fantasy tale about a young woman who, tired of defending humanity from the Dark Lord, decides to become the Dark Lord herself.

Davi has done this all before. She’s tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she’s rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she’s killed quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. But she’s been defeated every time.

This time? She’s done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that’s who she needs to be. It’s Davi’s turn to play on the winning side

Audio: Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell

Author John Wiswell

Narrated by Christian Black, Elizabeth Klett

Publication date Jun 17, 2025 by Tantor

Running time 14 hrs

Historical fiction/fantasy

Heracles never really gets to be the big hero here. He is mostly a broken man, suffering from PTSD and walking around doing his heroic things. But instead of doing it with violence he finds that even monsters needs to be saved.

It is narrated via him and her. His voice is always so calm, always praying to Hera. Then there is Hera who is more modern, and I frankly liked that. She is angry with her husband, and with Heracles who is always praying.

So...yes stuff happens. He falls apart and goes to kill monsters, but he is too broken for that even. So instead he builds himself a new family without even realising.

As for Hera, I could not hate her at all, I mean obvi, dang woman! But she is so broken too by actions that she did not mean to happen. I liked her, she had quite the mouth and she was so frustrated all the time,

Good narration, that calm male voice and a more highstrung female one.

Heracles, hero of Greece, dedicates all his feats to Hera, goddess of family. Heracles’ mother raised him to revere Hera, as her attempt to avoid the goddess’ wrath. Unbeknownst to Heracles, he is yet another child Hera’s husband, Zeus, had out of wedlock.

Hera loathes every minute of Heracles’ devotion. She finally snaps and sends the Furies to make Heracles kill himself. But the moment Heracles goes mad, his children playfully ambush him, and he slays them instead. When the madness fades, Heracles’s wife, Megara, convinces him to seek revenge. Together they’ll hunt the Furies and learn which god did this.

Believing Hera is the only god he can still trust, Heracles prays to Hera, who is wracked with guilt over killing his children. To mislead Heracles, Hera sends him on monster-slaying quests, but he is too traumatized to enact more violence. Instead, Heracles cares for the Nemean lion, cures the illness of the Lernaean hydra, and bonds with Crete’s giant bull.

Hera struggles with her role in Heracles life as Heracles begins to heal psychologically by connecting with the monsters—while also amassing an army that could lay siege to Olympos.

TMST is back

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

9/2/2025 Which books are you looking forward to reading this Fall? (Sep-Nov)

We are back! Eh....ok I have NO idea as usual if anything new is out. I have been working on my TBR pile so I will continue with that.

These are the ones highest on my TBR at the moment

9/9/2025 What’s your favorite room in your house?

9/16/2025 What would you do if you won the lottery?

9/23/2025 Which fictional character do you wish were a real person?

9/30/2025 If you could live in a different country for a year, which country would you choose?

10/7/2025 What's a movie or TV show that you'd recommend to everyone?

10/14/2025 Has a book ever ignited a hobby/passion in you?

10/21/2025 What’s something you rebelled against as a kid?

10/28/2025 What was your favorite Halloween (or cosplay) costume? *Bonus for photos!

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Best of August

 

Here are the best of the bests for August!!!! 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

"Best book of the month. Delightful!"

Carole -  The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig

"What's funny is that I did a lot of re-reads in August! Lots of books I read eons ago. This one has a special place in my heart."

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

"Best movie for the month. Maybe even for the year. So good."

Blodeuedd - Civil War (2024)

"Movie I watched. Felt real."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - The Lady's Companion (s1)

"This series was so fun!"

Carole - Outlander (s1 - 2)

"Late as always....but I'm getting addicted to this!"

Best Cover of the Month:

B's pick: Always great covers

C's pick: Look at those trees!

The fragile threads of power by V.E.Schwab

Series: Threads of Power (#1), The Shades of Magic Universe

Format: 640 pages, Paperback

Published: September 28, 2023 by Titan Books

Fantasy/own

Are these worlds falling apart or coming together? Who knows.

7 years later. It does jump back and forth a bit. And there are a few players involved. Kosika who became queen at 7 in White London, and who wants the magic to flow. And there are ghosts lingering in that world.

Kell who lost his magic 7 years ago and Delilah who spent 7 years at seas with him. I really want him to get his magic back.

King Rhy who is trying to keep Red London from falling apart as people want him dead and blame hin for the lack of magic.

And then there is Tes who can fix broken magical things....

Lots going on. I have no idea how they will save these messy worlds. Oh you do need to have read the previous series to keep up!

Byt yes I enjoyed it.

Edit: Aug ....I am surprised that I said that I enjoyed it, because now I only feel negative towards it and I will def not read more.  I am very confused now

Once, there were four worlds, nestled like pages in a book, each pulsing with fantastical power, and connected by a single city: London. Until the magic grew too fast, and forced the worlds to seal the doors between them in a desperate gamble to protect their own. The few magicians who could still open the doors grew more rare as time passed and now, only three Antari are known in recent memory—Kell Maresh of Red London, Delilah Bard of Grey London, and Holland Vosijk, of White London.

But barely a glimpse of them have been seen in the last seven years — and a new Antari named Kosika has appeared in White London, taking the throne in Holland's absence," it continues. "The young queen is willing to feed her city with blood, including her own — but her growing religious fervor has the potential to drown them instead. And back in Red London, King Rhy Maresh is threatened by a rising rebellion, one determined to correct the balance of power by razing the throne entirely.

Amidst this tapestry of old friends and new enemies, a girl with an unusual magical ability comes into possession of a device that could change the fate of all four worlds," the description concludes. "Her name is Tes, and she's the only one who can bring them together — or unravel it all.

Audio: Consort´s dragon by Eve Langlais

Narrated by: Heather Wilds

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Release date: 07-10-25 by Tantor Media

Fantasy romance

Ok I admit, I thought this was book 1! Ooops. I started listening and it went so well too, but after a while I asked myself that it seems that there was a lot of backstory. I mean the story flowed and all, and I could just jump in like that and I did not feel lost. But I wondered , and yes realised that this is book 3.

So no, I do not know all of Avera´s journey. I only know she was on a dragon island, got kidnapped and is brought to an emperor. And that she sometimes thought of someone named Griffon. At least it seems that that romance was really slowburn and something happens first in this one.

So yes my mistake paid off. It worked! Thank you Langlais. Well done. But also, this is a series, so much happened before. You really must listen in order.

Because there is an ancient evil. There are dragons waking. There is an Emperor who is good? Bad? There is a princess whose country was stolen, and her pirate king.

I enjoyed it. I was sort of just swept away.

Really good narrating. She kept me on track which was needed considering. 

When Avera is captured by the Emperor of Merisu, her quest to reclaim her throne and prevent an evil entity from escaping its magical prison fails.

Or so she thinks.

Emperor Titus claims he wants to be Avera's ally, but can she trust him? The rumors of his depravity and tyranny appear to be false. The man she meets is courteous, handsome, and seemingly beloved by his people. Would marrying him be so bad?

Along with his offer to make her his consort, he's been teasing her with dragon lore. He believes hatching the eggs she retrieved is their best option. Avera isn't convinced, though. She's seen the catastrophic damage caused by a single dragon in Verlora. Freeing four more dragons could lead to wide-scale catastrophe. At the same time, the mighty beasts might be the only hope they have to preserve their way of life—if they can convince them to help.

Time is running out, and as secrets become exposed, hard decisions must be made. Will Avera make the ultimate sacrifice to save the world?

Wind and truth by Brandon Sanderson

Series: The Stormlight Archive (#5), The Cosmere (#26)

Format: 1344 pages, Hardcover

Published: December 6, 2024 by Tor Books

Fantasy/own

I do not think I can even write a review. The Book was HUGE. And heavy. But read an ebook, no, that would make it even longer.

It really could have been two books, just saying.

Ok...I mean how!? So many people, so much happening. The world is doomed. The dark gathering power.

It is book 5, but every book is a mammoth, so yeah this is not a series to jump blindly into. The epicness is overwhelming.

I can not even write a review. I need a Cosmere map too. Obviously need to be read in order.

Dalinar Kholin challenged the evil god Odium to a contest of champions with the future of Roshar on the line. The Knights Radiant have only ten days to prepare―and the sudden ascension of the crafty and ruthless Taravangian to take Odium’s place has thrown everything into disarray.

Desperate fighting continues simultaneously worldwide―Adolin in Azimir, Sigzil and Venli at the Shattered Plains, and Jasnah at Thaylen City. The former assassin, Szeth, must cleanse his homeland of Shinovar from the dark influence of the Unmade. He is accompanied by Kaladin, who faces a new battle helping Szeth fight his own demons . . . and who must do the same for the insane Herald of the Almighty, Ishar.

At the same time, Shallan, Renarin, and Rlain work to unravel the mystery behind the Unmade Ba-Ado-Mishram and her involvement in the enslavement of the singer race and in the ancient Knights Radiants killing their spren. And Dalinar and Navani seek an edge against Odium’s champion that can be found only in the Spiritual Realm, where memory and possibility combine in chaos. The fate of the entire Cosmere hangs in the balance.

Carole´s Monday: Co-wrecker

 

Author: Meghan Quinn

Narrator: Dan Stevens

Title: Co-Wrecker 

Series: Binghamton #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Comedy

Format: Audiobook 

Published: March 17, 2017

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

 What do ice cream and Sadie Montgomery have in common? They're both ice cold, but one taste is never enough.

I wanted to be friends — I would have even settled for her seeing me as anything but a nerd — but there was no getting through. So just like any hard-headed, red-blooded man out there, I made up my mind.

I’d make my coworker fall for me.

I’d like to say it was simple, but like every other epic love story, all it took was one drunken night and a lot of naked courage to get the girl. For a moment, at least.

Love with a coworker is never simple, especially since Sadie’s trying to keep us on the low. Not to mention her persistent ex-boyfriend who won’t leave her alone. But I’ve never been good at giving up, and I don’t plan to start now.

The whole thing is a recipe for a rocky road, but I plan to eat the whole gallon, no matter how bad the brain freeze.

Review:

Picked this up because a member of my Twitch community had redeemed a "Pick what Carole reads next" and they said to pick any Meghan Quinn book. I've read one Xmas book in the past (I think it was a short story) so I didn't mind trying another one. I randomly found this on Audible so why not? Free is free babbyyyyyy!

Sadly....I will need to pick a different Meghan Quinn book. There is potential in her writing! It's there I can feel it! However, this was NOT the one for me. 

DNF at about 25% of the book. I just couldn't do it anymore. 

*looks at other reviews on Goodreads* I think I might be in the minority here. Whoops. 

Sadie is a jerk. 

Andrew is a weirdo. 

The scene that really was the downfall for my enjoyment, was the scene when Sadie was training Andrew. RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM, Sadie was all "Yeah I have to train this annoying guy." Like...it wasn't that Andrew just overheard or walked in at an awkward moment. She said it RIGHT in front of him and not even whispering it. WOW. F off Sadie. 

Andrew fell and like motor boated her. Creepy weirdo. 

No thanks. 

Nothing about their behaviors were cute or funny. She needs therapy. He needs to realize he isn't funny or charming. 

DNF for me. 

I will try a different Meghan Quinn book. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #38

Audio: Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

By: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Narrated by: Em Eldridge

Series: Assistant to the Villain, Book 3

Length: 15 hrs and 24 mins

Release date: 08-05-25

Publisher: Tantor Media

Category: Fantasy

The craziness continues. The villain, who is not really the villain the country believes him to be. And his trusted assistant turned accomplice. Who is now known as the wicked woman with a price on her head. Like hello, what has Evi ever done?!

Magic is disappearing. King Benedict is a despot, hello! Can´t everyone see he is the real villain? I mean sure Tristan pushes some guys overboard here, but hey they deserved it.

There is a lot going on. There is a traitor among them. The valiant guard keeps finding them, and getting closer. There is a dragon, monsters, magic, family you would rather be without, family you make. Danger, prophecies, and a frog who used to be a prince. Lots to take in.

And here they finally get closer too! Tristan and Evi are meant to be, but he keeps fighting it.

That ending though, wow, intense. I did not expect that.

Great narrating. I like all her voices for people, and she has a new flow to it all. It works really well in audio

REWARD Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate). Frequently seen with a grumpy frog (crowned, judgmental). Answers to "Evie" or "Stop that."

Evie Sage didn't mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom's most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised "light paperwork and occasional beheadings," and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.

Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire―or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.

Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again . . . neither was falling for The Villain.

More than a best friend by Emma Alban

Series: Mischief & Matchmaking (#1)

Format: 370 pages, Paperback

Published: January 11, 2024 by Penguin Books

Historical romance/library

I liked this one, it was fun, it had some drama, and at the same time it just had this vibe.

Beth has her first season and she needs to find a husband, or her mother and her will be destitute.

Gwen has had many seasons, and finding a man, eh, she would rather have fun with her friends. Her dad is fun too, a widower with an eye for the ladies, and drinks.

Gwen and Beth becomes friends, and well after a while they will also realise that they like each other more than friends. What I liked here is that the author kept it real. Sure we wish we could change the past, but there still places in the world were it was illegal. So yes they can not be publicly with each other, it is forbidden. But maybe they could find a way to still be together?

So the question is, should Beth marry to save her and her mother (or should they find a husband for her still young mother?). Or should she just forget it all and find a way to get true love?

This is a romance, there is a HEA. Love always finds a way. I enjoyed this a lot. Light and fun.

Love is more than just a game for two. It’s 1857, and anxious debutante Beth has just one season to snag a wealthy husband, or she and her mother will be out on the street.

Gwen, on the other hand, is on her fourth season and counting, with absolutely no intention of finding a husband, possibly ever. She has plenty of security as the only daughter of a rakish earl, from whom she’s inherited her penchant for drinking too much and dancing ‘til dawn.

Beth and Gwen are enchanted with each other on sight. And it doesn’t take long for Gwen to hatch her latest scheme: rather than join the husband hunt, they should set up Gwen’s father and Beth’s newly-widowed mother.

They had a fling years ago, after all…