November Reading Wrap Up

WOW! The last two months have been rough, and have certainly effected my reading. I WANT to be reading more, but feel that I do not have the time, or should be prioritizing other things. Do you have any tips for re-prioritizing reading?

Quick Stats:
Number of books read: 6
Number of pages read: 1702

What I Read:

SubZero Vol 1 by Junepurrr (ARC)

Synopsis:
To save her people, Princess Clove will have to do the unthinkable – marry her greatest enemy!

The Azure and Crimson Dragons have been at war for centuries. Their kingdoms destined to continue this never-ending feud. With no end in sight, Clove agrees to leave her isolated homeland in favor of a political marriage with heir to the Crimson throne.

The cutthroat prince is the first to discover that seemingly innocent Clove is hiding a dangerous secret.

Fighting a surprising attraction to Prince Kyro, Clove discovers that achieving peace is far more dangerous than she could have ever imagined.

I am so intrigued by this world and magic system. The art style in this graphic novel is stunning. Find my review HERE.

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

Synopsis:
What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn’t matter?

Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all and, if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. But after Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer.

Now, huge hit true crime podcast Listen for the Lie and its too-good looking host, Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one who did it.

This year I have discovered that I love listening to thrillers via audiobook. I especially recommend going that route with this one. The podcast elements were very engaging to listen to. I didn’t figure it out for myself, which is always a win.

Powerful by Lauren Roberts

⚠️This is a sequel. If you have not read Powerless by Lauren Roberts proceed with caution

Synopsis:
Adena and Paedyn have always been inseparable. Fate brought them together when they were young, but friendship ensured they would always protect each other and the home they built in the slums of Loot. But now Paedyn—an Ordinary—has been selected for the Purging Trials, which means almost certain death.

Now alone in Loot, Adena must fend for herself. After attempting to steal, she’s rescued by a mysterious man from the market. Mak’s shadowy past and secretive power set him apart from the other low-level Elites of Loot. And as the pair team up to see their loved ones before the Trials, the quest tests their loyalty, their love, and their lives.

I was not expecting this to hurt so much 😭

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

Synopsis:
When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder.

Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the unravelling events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the cameras installed around the house, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman, Jack Grant.

The creepy, suspenseful atmosphere was so well done. I wish we had more closure from the ending, but I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this.

The Front Runner by Elsie Silver

Synopsis:
Stefan Dalca is infuriatingly handsome. And annoyingly persistent. We’re supposed to hate each other. But apparently he didn’t get the memo, because he’s been asking me out for years. And I always say no. Until today. Today he has something that I desperately need. Today he’s a savior, and I’m his prize.

Our time together starts out as a simple transaction. Three dates. No touching. No telling anyone. And definitely no falling in love. But with every intimate conversation, and each stolen glance, the tension between us builds. The way he looks at me gives me butterflies. And when he finally touches me? We sizzle.

Stefan makes me feel seen in a way no other person has before. He cherishes my words as passionately as my body. He makes me laugh. He makes me blush. He calls me kitten. He’s not the villain he’s been made out to be. And suddenly I find myself longing for him in a way the people closest to me wouldn’t approve of or understand.

I loved the banter between Mire and Stefan! And how hard this man falls for our stoic fmc *swoon*

Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

Synopsis:
For two former childhood friends, a blustery winter storm stirs some frosty—and scorching—memories in a delightful short story.

All newly minted pediatrician Jamie Malek wants is to borrow a roasting pan for Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, that requires her to interact with Marc—her best friend’s troublemaking brother, who’s now a tech billionaire. He’s the one who got away. She’s the one who broke his heart. Outside, a howling blizzard. Inside, a crackling fire. Suddenly, being snowbound with the man she never expected to see again might not be such a bad way to spend a winter’s night.

I really enjoyed this. It was short and sweet. Looking forward to reading more holiday romances in this novella collection available on kindle unlimited.

That’s a wrap

I am currently reading The Ritual by Shantel Tessier, and None of This is True by Lisa Jewell. I’m hoping to read more in December and get into the Christmas spirit.

Happy reading!