Quick Reviews and Updates

Hi book lovers! Since starting Tiktok, I’ve been a mess at juggling this blog, Instagram, and creating videos. I am working on it! But for now, I wanted to review some recent reads.

As usual, fantasy is my favorite escapism and has a hold on my life and my heart.

I’m glad my mom died Jeannette McCurdy

This emotional and insightful memoir examines McCurdy’s abusive relationship with her mother, child stardom, and chaotic adulthood. This memoir was super interesting, and McCurdy’s voice stands out. I recommend it for anyone who grew up watching Jeannette. 

Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews

Blood Heir’s a spinoff of the Kate Daniels’ series and checks in on the same characters 8 years later. This story follows Julie, now Aurelia Ryder, returns to Atlanta as she fights to defend her adopted family from a new threat, but the arrival of her first love changes everything.

As a fan of the Kate Daniels novel, Blood Heir was a great companion piece and offered the same witty and love character from the original series. This novel’s great at world building and explaining characters, so I recommend it for anyone wanting to get into urban fantasy or adult fantasy. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the previous novels.

Birds of California by Katie Contugo

Fiona’s a former child star, who quit acting and is living life outside the spotlight, but her TV brother, Sam, drops back into her life and tries to convince Fiona to return for the reboot of their popular show Birds of California. Fiona has no interest in the reboot, but she likes spending the extra time with Sam.

I enjoyed that this novel focused on mental health. But this book fell short for me because I wanted the author to explore more of the trauma. Especially Sam’s. Overall, it’s a good read.

After Lambana by Eliza Victoria

A fantasy graphic novel inspired by Filipino legends, After Lambana, follows Conrad and Ignacio as they step into the realm of Diwata and seek a magical cure for Conrad.

This novel was spooky but also intriguing! I definitely recommend it if you love learning about other cultures’ legends.

Graphic novel is 18+ there some graphic images

House of lies and sorrow by Emily Blackwood

Jade marries Malachi, a Fae prince, whose previous wives died under mysterious circumstances. Jade doesn’t trust Malachi, but she trusts his family even less. But the two will have to work together if they hope to survive.

This was a fun read, but the plot left me wanting more. I’ll probably continue to read this series because I have to know what Jade and Mal overcome next.

Twice upon a Quinceañera by Yamile Saied Méndez

Nadia breaks off her engagement and quits her job, which leaves her with a non-refundable venue. Nadia makes the best of her situation and decides to celebrate herself. But throwing a last-minute double quince has its challenges, and Nadia’s summer romance, Marcus, returns to her life

I loved that this novel focused on family and explored an Argentine family in Utah! I also liked that the whole family hypes Nadia up and teases her about Marcus without knowing their history.

*Thank you netgalley for the arc. All opinions are my own

The Longing of Lone Wolves Lana Pecherczyk

Clarke’s a seer who has awoken in the future where the Fae have taken over the earth, she allies with Rush, a ghostly figure who wants to break his curse. They travel together only to discover they’ll play much more important roles in this new world.

The world in this novel was probably my favorite part because it artfully blends shapeshifters, elves, faeries, vampires, and humans into this world. I hated the meet-cute moment in the beginning because it involved sexual assault, so keep that in mind before reading this one.

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I did not include every book in this review. Some of the books I read last month are getting an entirely separate review. Stay tuned!

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until next time I’ll be living in libros,

Gaby