Burn for Me ReRead by Ilona Andrews

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Overview
Burn for Me: A Hidden Legacy Novel: 1

Title: Burn for Me ReRead
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Hidden Legacy #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

It doesn’t matter how many times I reread literally anything by Ilona Andrews, I still love it the second, third, fourth, fifth time around. And Burn for Me is no exception. I honestly couldn’t put this down, even though I had a rough idea of what was going to happen (my goldfish brain forget the minutiae). There is just something about this world building and the strong women that make up this world that I absolutely loved. Plus, I always route for the Underdog, and Nevada and her family definitely qualify as the Underdogs. They have the grit, determination, and fight though to win the day. It may not happen in real life, but I love reading about characters who are able to turn things around like this.

Nevada is brilliant, beautiful and a whole lot of fun. And by beautiful, I mean on the inside (the outside I imagine is the same). I love that above all, she has a loyalty to her family and loved ones that beats everything else. Having a character that is driven by the love of family isn’t always typical in the books I read, they often feature people who are total outcasts and have no family. So the fact that Nevada’s internal confidence and power absolutely come from her mother, grandmother, sisters and cousins – too wonderful for words.

Mad Rogan is a great contrast to Nevada. Where Nevada is all about family and loyalty and love, Rogan is ridiculously about power. The fact that he has almost lost his humanity in points of this is a great opposites attract kind of counterpoint. And I love that Nevada is able to bring him back to centre a little bit – remind him that nothing in this world is worth doing unless there are people you love to share it with. I also love how Nevada’s willingness to to sacrifice herself (continuously and with enthusiasm throughout this story) is balanced out by Rogan’s need to survive and ensure her survival.

I may have read this series before, but I loved picking up all of the little hints and tips about the future. It gave me a little more insight into some of the moments and how that would feed into what is to come. I also love that, with each read through, different themes show up and different moments hold importance. For me, this read through was all about loyalty and love of family. I wonder what I will focus on the next time I have the pleasure of picking up this series.

<- More Ilona AndrewsWhite Hot ReRead ->

Image source: Amazon

The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Blacksmith Queen (The Scarred Earth Saga Book 1)

Title: The Blacksmith Queen
Author: G.A. Aiken
Series: The Scarred Earth Saga #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Medieval fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I absolutely, freaking loved this story! I couldn’t put it down, I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and I just loved absolutely everything about this story. Every time I thought that I had a bit of a grasp of what was going on, or even, what was going to happen… well, I would be thrown some kind of curveball. It was completely unpredictable, but in all the best ways. I can’t believe just how much I loved this, and how many plot points caught me completely by surprise. Which, of course, is what I absolutely loved about Aiken / Laurenston’s writing.

Keeley is, as with pretty much all of Aiken’s female leads, an absolute badass. I mean, she might not be the first female blacksmith I’ve read featured in a book. She is the first one to lay about her with a hammer and just… destroy everyone. Yet, in amongst all of her power, violence and chaos, is an amazing heart and a kind spirit. I really loved this balance, she isn’t all or nothing, but a complex character that I absolutely fell in love with. I love that, for all of the challenges that get thrown at her throughout the happenings in The Blacksmith Queen, she chooses to rally, gather those she loves around her and just… do the right thing. Even if it’s not quite the easy choice, or even the one that she wants to make.

I originally thought that I knew who the “Blacksmith Queen” was going to be, and then I thought I’d guessed wrong, then I thought I’d guessed right… I mean, the whole thing had me on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out not only who the “Blacksmith Queen” would be, but also how the prophecy, the conspiracy, everything was going to unfold. That alone would’ve pulled me in and made me intrigued. But then, there was the connection to the centaurs and the dwarves. And the machinations and dramas of two maybe-queens setting up alliances, ready to be at war with one another.

I’ve read a lot of different books with mythological creatures, but this is definitely my first centaur romance. And now I wonder why I haven’t got more of these on my shelves! Particularly centaurs the way Aiken writes them, they are just as insane and violent as all of her other characters. And just as unforgettable. I absolutely adored everything about this concept, and now I can’t wait to read more about Keeley’s asencion to the throne. Plus, the next story is about her War Monk sister, Gemma’s romance… something I also can’t wait to sink my teeth into!

<- More G.A. AikenThe Princess Knight ->

Image source: Amazon

Wed or Dead ReRead by Cynthia Eden

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Wed or Dead ReRead
Author: Cynthia Eden
In: Howl for It (Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2012

Thoughts

Kayla and Gage spend most of this novella in just a really stupid battle of chicken. I mean, ultimately it all works out for them. But, also, who gets married as part of trying to call each other’s bluff? It was seriously ridiculous and had me shaking my head throughout. Mostly in the opening volleys – I have read this before, so I knew that it would all end well, but still. Who does that?

Wed or Dead, aside from being a bit of a bonehead game of chicken, is a really lovely and easy read. I seriously enjoyed taking about an hour or so out of my reality to dive into this world and romance. I love to dive into a good novella for that hour and not think of all the responsibilities in my world. Wed or Dead was a perfect fix for this.

As much as I enjoy the briefness of a good novella, I often like to read them as a gateway into a larger series, or another world. I’m kind of disappointed that this seems to be a one off novella – there is no greater world to dive into and inhale. I mean, wouldn’t it be nice to have a greater series with all of the Hunters and Shifters finding their happily ever after? Following in the footsteps of Kayla and Gage after they have removed all of the lies and semi-united both sides of the war? Alas, that is not the case.

<- Like a Wolf with a Bone ReReadHowl for It ReRead ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
The Teller of Small Fortunes

Title: The Teller of Small Fortunes
Author: Julie Leong
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Cozy fantasy, Fantasy, Magic
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

Thoughts

I seriously enjoyed going on Tao’s journey through the country with her. Joining her on her journey to accepting herself and finding Found Family. This was such a sweet cozy fantasy that I really enjoyed reading. There was nothing intense and heart stopping about the story, and I didn’t necessarily feel like my emotions got too tangled up in the drama. But there was affection, there was love, and there was growth. Plus, there was an adventure that dealt with a whole set of challenging circumstances, and a feeling of life coming full circle at the end of the book.

I really loved this band of misfits – Mash, Silt and Kina worked so well together. They fit together so seamlessly, and beautifully. Mash is the strong, driven family man (with a bit of a past) who is completely driven by finding his daughter, and also the primary activity that drives the four on their journey. Silt is such a happy-go-lucky character and often brings almost comedic relief to the story. Kina then rounds out the group with emotion and joy. Her love of life and happiness were probably my favourite parts of the whole story and group. Tao might have been the main character, but it was the bonds between the four that truly drove the story.

One of my favourite things about this book is how Tao explains the difference between big and small fortunes. She’s a seer regardless (which becomes wonderfully apparent as the story unfolds), but the cost and the challenges of reading the different kinds of fortune is beautifully explained. I particularly love, that, as Tao’s back story comes out, the reasons for her choice of fortunes was even more powerful. There is such intricacy to this world building, right down to the rules and costs of magic, that I absolutely adored. Plus, I love the idea that even our small fortunes have the ability to give us some major changes in our lives. Ones that may or may not be needed.

There was something entirely innocent about this whole story. It was cute, sweet and worked out really well. When reading the blurb, I thought that the journey to find Mash’s daughter was going to be a little bit dark, and have some potential horrors in store. Instead, it was just as innocent as the rest of the tale. There was this almost naivety to the writing and the storyline that I really needed. And it’s a great reminder why the cozy fantasy genre works so well. There is action and intrigue that makes you want to keep reading, but it is so damn sweet and innocent, that the emotional stakes don’t totally destroy you.

<- The Keeper of Magical ThingsMore cozy fantasy ->

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So Gay For You by Leisha Hailey & Kate Moennig

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Overview
So Gay for You: Friendship, Found Family, and the Show That Started It All

Title: So Gay For You: Friendship, Found Family & The Show That Started It All
Author: Leisha Hailey & Kate Moennig
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Celebrity, LGBTQI, Memoirs
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2025

Thoughts

I’ve watched all of The L Word, except for the final season (and the reboot), so, when I saw that two of the actresses had written a memoir together, I was intrigued. And, I was definitely not disappointed. I mean, everything about this was interesting and intriguing. I enjoyed the insight into what it was like to be a part of The L Word team and how groundbreaking it was at the time. But, I also enjoyed how honestly and openly Hailey and Moennig wrote about their lives, before, after and during their hit show. I always love how insightful memoirs that are built around a TV Show (or movie) can be, and how it can provide an insight into the lives of others and different experiences.

Although I loved the insight into The L Word, mostly I just really loved the voices of Hailey and Moennig. They were smart and sassy, with a whole lot of honesty that I seriously appreciated. One woman was out before the show even came to form, the other slowly had her sexual recognition throughout her filming of The L Word. I loved how different their tales and journeys were, but how they built together. Particularly to the moments when they first met, how they felt about it, and then how they built a friendship that is the envy of all friendships. Their love for one another and honesty was enviable and I really enjoyed learning more about how other women have grown and found each other.

I read a lot of stories which feature Found Family and Soul Mates (not romantic Soul Mates, those friends who are forever). But I haven’t read many memoirs that actually feature the reality of this kind of relationship. I love how they were able to find each other in this insane world that we live in, and figure out a way to have each other’s backs. But, they aren’t romantically entangled – I love that Hailey and Moennig found each other and created their own Found Family – one in which they are accepted and beloved. That support and love is something that I think everyone deserves, and I absolutely loved reading about it.

Although I picked up So Gay For You because of my knowledge of The L Word, I love that this novel wasn’t actually all that much about it. Yes, it featured in it for a fair chunk of the book, but even then, it was just a part of a greater story. One which I really enjoyed, and would definitely enjoy reading further. Mostly though, the focus was on the beautiful friendship between these two women, and the ways in which they were able to find each other. The community that they built together and the way that their love for one another was supportive and helped them both to grow into better versions of themselves.

<- The Last Black UnicornThe Hospital by the River ->

Image source: Amazon

She’s the One by Helena Hunting

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Overview

Title: She’s the One
Author: Helena Hunting
In: Nightingale (Skye Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2022

Thoughts

She’s the One is a great little short story based on one moment in time. Yet, even though it was quite short, it kind of felt like the beginning of something else. It was both well rounded and an enjoyable read, but felt like it could be the beginning of a greater novel. I believe that it sits in with the All In series by Helena Hunting, but I’m quite happy to leave it as a standalone short story.

Nolan and Pattie meeting, flirting, and then kissing happened at quite a fast clipped pace. It was fun to jump into the journey of finding someone and flirting in those first moments. Then, there’s the build up to both agreeing to go on their first date, all with the potential complications of Nolan’s brother and the intricacies of building the start of a relationship whilst watching a hockey game together.

It was a total cliche, but I did enjoy how Nolan takes advantage of Pattie’s sort-of-ex to engage more intimately with the woman he has his eye on. It’s such an obvious ploy, but I particularly liked that he owned up to this and consistently asked Pattie for permission / checked in with her thoughts.

All in all, this was a good and simple short story that I enjoyed. I don’t know if I have any driving need to revisit these characters, but it was a quick and enjoyable departure from reality anyway.

<- NightingaleExpansion ->

Image source: Amazon

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

Title: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
Author: Lori Gottlieb
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Memoirs, Mental health, Psychology
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I’m writing this review a fair while after actually finishing the final page of this book (because adulting). But, honestly, even though it’s been a couple of weeks, I seriously can’t stop thinking about Maybe You Should Talk to Someone. I don’t know if it is how well written this book is, the relevance of the topic to my life at this point, or the unflinching honesty. But, regardless of the reason, I absolutely adored this memoir and will gladly read this again and again in the future.

Not only is Maybe You Should Talk to Someone a humorous memoir, it is also a great insight into one woman’s journey to becoming a therapist. As someone who is studying to become a counsellor, I can tell you that the majority of therapists and therapists-to-be that I spend my time with have entered the field in a somewhat convoluted manner. Gottlieb is no different, and I love how she is able to share those integral parts of her journey to working in mental health throughout the memoir. Then, she’s brutally honest about how she acted within her own therapy – and the pitfalls of ego that we all fall into. Sometimes to protect ourselves, but sometimes just because that’s what our brains do.

I really enjoyed how Gottlieb was able to intersperse the anecdotal tales she was sharing with actual therapeutic / psychological theory. It was great to read for anyone who is interested in mental health. But, as someone who wants to work more deeply in this field, it made me really question how I’m not only engaging with future clients, but how I’m engaging with my own therapist. I particularly loved how she talked about Unconditional Positive Regard and how challenging that could be in moments. Something that I will have to make sure I work towards myself in future endeavours.

My all time favourite aspect of this novel is how open and honest Gottlieb is about therapy and the therapeutic process. She doesn’t pretend that it is easy (on anyone), or that there are magical fixes. But she emphasises the growth and the change that people may experience, and shines a light on the fact that therapists of all calibres have their own challenges and sometimes are simply just humans who need a little bit of help too.

<- Bits and PiecesFrog ->

Image source: Booktopia

I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokpokki by Baek Se-hee

Book Review, ,
Overview
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki: The International bestseller: I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki Baek Sehee Bloomsbury Publishing - Bloomsbury

Title: I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki
Author: Baek Se-hee
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Memoirs, Mental health
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Reading this off of the back of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone made this a mental health memoir that had a lot to live up to. And, quite frankly, this did not live up to it. Honestly, this whole book for me was just a huge transcript of someone’s therapy. But, with all of the important parts pulled out. There was none of the honesty that a good mental health memoir should have. Rather, it felt kind of self-indulgent and as though the author still wasn’t actually ready to face up to her own shit. 

Image source: Bloomsbury

Frog: The Secret Diary of a Paramedic by Sally Gould

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Frog | Book by Sally Gould | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster AU

Title: Frog: The Secret Diary of a Paramedic
Author: Sally Gould
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Medical, Memoirs, Mental health
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2025

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this memoir, and it’s one that I actually can’t stop thinking about it. Even though it’s been a while since I turned that final page. It was intense, it was well written, and like all of the best memoirs, it was brutally honest. Honestly, I just couldn’t put this down and I love how honest Gould is not just about her journey into becoming a paramedic, but also her own mental health challenges and difficulties. One of the best medical memoirs I’ve read in a long while, and a reminder of why I like this subgenre.

In Frog, Gould talks about her first three years as a paramedic in Australia. She doesn’t give any specifics of where, but it felt like a lot of the suburban hubs that make up our wonderful country (I am intrigued as to where though, because I’m nosy). She’s honest about her drives and why she wanted to pursue this career path, but, most importantly, she’s honest about the challenges that she faced. Some of the anecdotes are kind of funny and a little bit quirky. Others, not so much. They run the gambit of difficult training officers, to somewhat insane patients and the tragic endings. If it was a pivotal moment for Gould, she has included it.

Being someone who works in the “helping professions”, I understand that the risk to mental health is higher than in other areas. I really loved how honest Gould was in her memoir about the impact that her career has had on her mental health. And also the consequences of this. I absolutely adored this, although, I read Frog at a bit of a triggering time, so some of the passages were ones that I had to put down and aside. It was incredibly intense and potent, but, again, the ability of Gould to be open and honest about difficult to talk about topics made it so much more powerful.

Everything about Frog was fantastically written. It was a wonderfully insightful memoir, and was a reminder of why I really enjoy diving into this style of book every now and then. Plus, for me, it was all that much more potent because it was an Australian woman working in a “helping profession”. I really hope that Gould writes more books in the future, because I will definitely be keen to dive into them!

<- Bits and PiecesWe Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Book of Dragons by E. Nesbit

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Book of Dragons by E Nesbit

Title: The Book of Dragons
Author: E. Nesbit
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Dragons, Fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Collection, eBook, Novel
Year: 1899

Thoughts

I honestly can’t believe that I didn’t read The Book of Dragons when I was younger! Or that I never knew that Nesbit was really an author. I would’ve absolutely inhaled these books when I was growing up, and then gone back to read it again and again and again. Luckily, as an adult, I’m still more than willing to dive into books like this and read them… again and again and again. Honestly, everything about this ticked all of my boxes as both an adult, but it also would’ve been fantastic as a preteen.

One of the things that I loved about The Book of Dragons is that it is nine (or maybe it was eight) short stories about dragons. Rather than being one long, intense tale, it is a series of smaller ones that had me smiling happily at the conclusion of each and every one. I really enjoyed that each and every story featured dragons in some shape or form, but that each and every one had a slightly different theme and message. It meant that as soon as I finished one of the stories, I couldn’t wait to see what twists and turns the next one would provide.

Although all of the stories in this book were about dragons, they were also all quintessentially English. Probably another reason why I absolutely adored this and couldn’t believe that I’ve never heard of these books before – there is something that I find so soothing and eerily familiar about English stories. And honestly, reading this just felt like a big hug and a way to return home.

After finishing The Book of Dragons, I found out a little bit more about Nesbit and her life. And honestly? It just made me love the book and her all that much more… I wonder if there is a biography out there somewhere that I can dive into about this fascinating author and enjoyable literary mind.

Image source: The Nile