Hello & Happy Fall! It’s been a while, but I’m back with book reviews. We can call this my Q3 Check-in… & let’s ignore the fact that there was no second-quarter post 😬

Once upon a time, I posted 3 times a week 🤯 … Anyway, on to the books.

After reading through my last few posts, I realized I forgot to mention Fourth Wing at the end of 2023. So I looped it in here with Iron Flame.

Wreck the Halls
Tessa Bailey
★★★/5
Romance

Let’s be real- we read Bailey for the smut & spice. I felt like I cringed my way through this one, though. Honestly, I can’t remember much about it except the dumb names of the main characters. I don’t love reading Christmas stories outside of the holiday season, but that’s on me. (And the library, if we’re being honest.)

It passed the time just fine and there were cute moments, but this one wasn’t my cup of tea and I likely won’t be recommending it when someone asks for a holiday romance.

Buy it on BookShop

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Fourth Wing & Iron Flame
Rebecca Yarros
★★★★★/5 each
High Fantasy Romance

I don’t know why I didn’t scoop up Fourth Wing when it was first released, but I can officially call myself a fan of this series. I love that the characters are in their twenties- not their teens. I love the progression of enemies to equals. I love how Xaden treats Violet in the first book. I love the story of redemption, forgiveness, second chances, wrong first impressions, etc. throughout this series. The first book is 🔥 as far as spice goes. The second is less so, but I love the story arc. OBVIOUSLY, I love the dragons.

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I was waiting to be devastated by the forboding twist at the end of Iron Flame. Don’t get my wrong, I’m not very pleased with Riorson, but I’m more curious than anything to see how it all shakes out. I also have no clue what’s going on with Violet’s future. I mean, I’ve read online theories about her signet, but I don’t have a solid prediction. (I’m trying to be a little vague so I don’t spoil the story for people who haven’t read it… but if you haven’t read it, YOU SHOULD.) Anyway, I’m ready for Onyx Storm to be released, lol.

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Practice Makes Perfect
Sarah Adams
★★★★★/5
Romance

This is the second book in Adams’ When in Rome series. (I reviewed the first one last time.) I really loved Annie, and I really loved Will. I liked their stark differences and their willingness to get past the surface and really get to know one another. They both could’ve communicated just a little more, but I think that is almost every single romance novel- lol.

Annie was sweet & kind. Will was intimidating & kind. And it made for a really cute and swoony union. I liked Amelia and Noah, too, last time around. I’m excited for the next sister’s romance.

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Everyone on This Train is a Suspect
Benjamin Stevenson
★★★★/5
Mystery

I’m a sucker for a locked-room mystery and I really enjoyed Stevenson’s first in this series. Turns out his second one was right on track. (Pun intended- because it’s set on a train.)
This time Ernest is a small fish in a big pond of publish authors. I figured out one of the twists early on, but there were plenty of cases that I did not crack. I loved getting some recurring characters from the first book- especially his love interest. THe ending was a little forced for me, but it was kind of on brand for this author and these stories, so I’ll get over it.

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Okay… we’re 5 books in and I have just as many to go. Everyone still here? Anyone need a potty break?

We’ll pick this up next time with another batch of reviews.

-Aud