January 2023 Wrap-Up

💕HAPPY MONTH OF LOVE AND SMUTTY READS💕

Holy moly, what a month! The first half of January was great. Gosh, I wish it stayed that way. The second half of January was absolute chaos and I’m still trying to recover and catch up on everything. I started a new job, my dog had to go to the vet a couple times, I was running on so little sleep, and I still had to edit through all that chaos 😂 But I made it! I survived! And I even managed to get some reading done. Although, I’ve bought more books this month than I’ve read 😅 Anyway, I managed to read 4 books and listen to 2 audiobooks. I even took a trip to my local library to join their super fun reading challenge of the month. I really want to go to the library more often now because I used to go a TON and I miss it. Anyhoo, if your month has been as hectic as mine, please enjoy this picture of my dog after he had a blast playing in the snow.

✨Notice for writers and authors: If you’re in need of an editor, feel free to check out my EDITING SERVICES page and see if we’d be a good fit. I’m now booking into March and April, so apply for editing before those spots fill up 😊

My Library

We Were There Vol. 1 by Yuuki Obata

Review:

I randomly picked up this manga at my local library because it was the first volume. However, I definitely won't be continuing with this series. I didn't really feel for any of the characters, so it was hard to stay engaged with the story. I also found the speech-bubble placement all over the place, so I was a bit confused in the beginning. I hear it's a highly rated manga, but the first volume just didn't spark my interest.

2.5/5⭐

Netgalley eARCs

Unfamiliar by Haley Newsome

Review:

This was such a cozy, wholesome read 😊 I enjoyed the main storyline of Planchette trying to find ways for ghosts to move on. All the side character storylines were so precious too. I just wanted to protect all the characters from hurting, because they are just too sweet. Regarding the art, I love how everyone's eyes are so expressive and the character designs are so fun. I really want to see what happens in the next volume! Also love that the author has previously lived in Calgary 😱

4.5/5⭐

Other (e)ARCs

From HCC Frenzy

A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar

Review:

Content Warning: Death by drowning and violence.

I really love con books, so I was super excited to read this one where a con happens on the Titanic. The beginning of this book reminded me so much of the intro scenes where the main heist planner gathers their crew. This book features the POV of all four girls which I thought was pretty fun. I liked how the girls all grew closer on the Titanic and it was nice to see how they worked together to pull off the heist. I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance arc because I didn’t feel like it had a solid backstory, and it felt a little forced. I wish there wasn’t such a huge focus on the romance and I felt like that romance really did Hinnah and Violet dirty. Hinnah and Violet’s flag scene was probably the most emotional part of the book and I wish we got more of them. The ending was wraps up well, but it was pretty sad. One thing I thought was great was how Adiba includes a section at the end of the book explaining the creative liberties they took when writing this story. Overall, this was an interesting heist book, but the other stuff was a bit “meh.”

3.5/5⭐

From Tor Books

Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee

Review:

This was such a short story and I ended up finishing it in two days. I slowly got pulled into the story, and before I knew it, I couldn’t put it down. I was so attached to the characters by the end, and the relationships that grow throughout this story happen so subtly. The writing was so lyrical and reading this book is so relaxing. However, you’re so relaxed that by the end when all the emotional stuff happens, it really hits you hard. I was so sad with how it ended for one character, but overall, the ending was beautiful and left room for hope. On a side note, I thought the relationship between the roc and the rukher was portrayed beautifully. I really wish this book was longer, just because I loved it so much, but honestly it was perfect the way it’s written now. I’d highly recommend this for a quick read.

5/5⭐

Audiobooks

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Review:

I heard someone describe this as a cozy fantasy, so I had to check it out—plus it has witches 🥳 This was such a wholesome, heartfelt, and emotional read! I love the kids and all their unique personalities. I also liked Mika's relationship with the kids and Jamie and everyone at the house. There are some hard-hitting parts where Jamie and Mika deal with things from their childhood, and I thought those parts were really well written. The plot twist at the end tho! Omg. I already guessed how they'd try to solve the Edward problem, but I definitely didn't expect the character connections. This is just such a great story and I want more 😍

5/5⭐

The Grand Hotel by Scott Kenemore

Review:

I picked this audiobook on a whim, mostly because it was free and supposedly a horror story. The way that multiple stories are told reminds me a bit of Tales from 1001 Nights and I loved that. I was entranced by the idea of the hotel and enjoyed the tour! Some stories were more captivating than others, but I think every reader would find at least one story they enjoy. Some of my favorite stops on the tour were the library and the ballroom. I liked the consistent storyline of the red-haired girl and the narrator and liked the way that ended. The ending definitely surprised me because I was expecting the narrator to be someone totally different. I kind of wish it ended the way I thought it would, but the ending was satisfying regardless, and everything ties up nicely. This book also wasn’t really too scary, but each story has a little twist at the end that I wouldn’t have expected, so it held my interest for the entire audiobook.

3.5/5⭐

That’s a wrap! If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to know what you think. Leave your opinions in the comments below 😊 You can also share what books you’re currently reading! I’ll also be taking part in the Smutathon during February, hosted by @bookishly_vintage, so if you’ve got some great and deranged smut recs, please share them in the comments! The wilder, the better 😜

Happy reading bookworms!