Y'all let me just say, that according to my GoodReads schedule, I am 6 books ahead of schedule!
So, let's check out my January Reads & see the Stars & Reviews!
THESE ARE NOT RANKED - THIS IS THE READING ORDER!
Odd Man Rush (East Coast #2) THREE & A HALF STARS So, when I started this I didn't realize that this was the second book in the series, but it is also written to be read as a stand alone. Let me also say, this book was insane, I had no clue what I was reading when I started it. Warning, it is a FFM, which was wild, it was an intense relationship, but I didn't hate it. While this is a "hockey" romance, the hockey was really not in this storyline hardly at all, it was just the job that wasn't really relevant.
Throttled (Dirty Air, #1) FIVE STARS First time I've ever read a F1 racing book and wow. Prior to reading this books I would literally say that F1 is not a sport, but I am a changed woman, I have a new love that is right up there next to hockey romances.
Collided (Dirty Air, #2) FOUR STARS We love a good "Friends to Lovers" trope, it was very evident that they would end up together. I really liked the length of this friendship, that it started with a prologue, then jumped around in time a little bit, then into the epilogue. Because of the time jumps, there was a lot of growth in both the characters, which I loved.
Wrecked (Dirty Air, #4) FOUR STARS Overall, this series just represents so many people from a variety of background, with realistic, unforeseen circumstances that cold happen to anyone. I really don't cry often when reading a book, but wow I balled through this one. I think a lot of it has to do with the anxiety and depression that the man male suffered through and just completely understanding those feelings so much. There were a few moments when I was just screaming and silently pleading with the characters to communicate, but it made the story that much more intense. How the story ended up is the only reason it got four stars, it was teetering on three, but the rawness of the man male and the honesty and self deprecation made it better (I know that probably sounded weird.) The extended epilogue was also my favorite part of the book.
Redeemed (Dirty Air, #4) FIVE STARS This book literally wrecked me, wow. I haven't read a disabilities story that hit quite like this one did, the depression, anxiety, fear that was prevalent throughout this story, then the redemption. The self-discovery, the self-love, the fight to step out of the darkness. This books puts the "racing" storyline on a pause, but it didn't make me mad, it made me happy. I truly loved reading through this one, even though the main character, Santi, wasn't one of my favorites represented in the first three books.
King of Greed (Kings of Sin, #3) FOUR STARS WE LOVE A MAN WHO FIGHTS FOR HIS MARRIAGE. It took him years, which was super crappy, but when he finally fought for that marriage it was with everything.
House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, #1) FOUR STARS I was not a fan of this book the first time around. But round two, this book just differently.
House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City, #2) FOUR & A HALF STARS Dude, no words. This already got a whole post dedicated to it. And with CC3 coming out, there is so much going on that I cannot wait to see what is going to happen.
Crave (Crave, #1) ONE STAR This is not my favorite book, I tried reading this in 2023 and DNF'd it, this time around I started it over and tried it again. This book is just incredibly childish book to me, and FALLING IN LOVE within FIVE days, I cannot, it's way too unrealistic, and then to throw around the word mate. This was just too much. The enjoyable parts of this book series were the commentary, like the texting and literally saying very Gen-Z statements out loud. This is said in the most cringe worthy kind of way. I can say though, I am not a quitter. I refuse to not finish a series, I literally almost never DNF, so I will finish this series in 2024 and I genuinely hope that the series gets better.
Scarred (Never After,#2) FOUR STARS So, I got about 50% into this book when physically reading it, then decided when it got added to Audible to audio it. THE AUDIO IS GOOD. I started the whole book over and it just HITS different. The Lion King is my favorite movie of all time and this retelling is just way too good.
Rhapsodic (The Bargainer, #1) FOUR STARS Wowza, this series has been on my radar for a hot minute. I know I said that I wasn't going to be starting any new series anytime soon, but it is on audible AND the next 2 books are too AND I did NOT have to use a credit. Yes, they are free with the plus account right now. Also, the narrator is just SO good to listen to, obsessed with both of them, it just added to the story so much and brought it up a whole level.
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