Music Monday - Lainey Wilson "Out of Oklahoma"

Not usually a huge fan of country, but I do love Lainey Wilson’s sound. Very old-school country.

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

Title: A Study in Drowning

Author: Ava Reid

Publisher: HarperTeen 2023

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 378

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 52 Book Club - About finding identity; Library Love

Where I Got It: Library

Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny.

But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together clues about Myrddin’s legacy, dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspire against them—and the truth may bring them both to ruin.

Make no mistake, this is a very slow-moving atmospheric gothic novel featuring characters that annoyed me at times. But the underlying mystery kept me moving through to the end. And I ultimately enjoyed this novel. Effy can be very obtuse and so very young at many points through this story. I realize that this is young adult and so I gave her a pass. I did want to see Effy grow and stand up to those around her. I wanted to see her take control of her life. Thankfully she does that, even though there are many obstacles in her way. I loved the setting and the underlying magic system that runs throughout the story. I could feel the damp and the cold while reading. Just how I like my atmospheric novels. My only real issue with this book was the romance with Preston. It felt a bit forced and very very immature. I would have liked to see those two create a great academic collaboration and friendship. But this is YA fantasy, we have to have romance involved somehow. Not my favorite part.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Four Lost Cities by Annalee Newitz

Title: Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age

Author: Annalee Newitz

Publisher: WW Norton 2021

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 320

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf; Nonfiction Reader

Where I Got It: Afterword in Kansas City June 2024

In Four Lost Cities, acclaimed science journalist Annalee Newitz takes readers on an entertaining and mind-bending adventure into the deep history of urban life. Investigating across the centuries and around the world, Newitz explores the rise and fall of four ancient cities, each the center of a sophisticated civilization: the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in Central Turkey, the Roman vacation town of Pompeii on Italy’s southern coast, the medieval megacity of Angkor in Cambodia, and the indigenous metropolis Cahokia, which stood beside the Mississippi River where East St. Louis is today.

Newitz travels to all four sites and investigates the cutting-edge research in archaeology, revealing the mix of environmental changes and political turmoil that doomed these ancient settlements. Tracing the early development of urban planning, Newitz also introduces us to the often anonymous workers—slaves, women, immigrants, and manual laborers—who built these cities and created monuments that lasted millennia.

Four Lost Cities is a journey into the forgotten past, but, foreseeing a future in which the majority of people on Earth will be living in cities, it may also reveal something of our own fate.

Usually history books annoy me as they are so incredibly surface level. I get bored as I know the surface level facts about a ton of history. Thankfully, this one was focused enough to deep dive into four “lost” cities highlighting a ton of new information and discoveries. We get sections on Angkor War, Catalhoyuk, Cahokia, and Pompeii. I found each section to be very interesting and full of information that I was excited to learn. Newitz takes a much more nuanced approach to teaching about each civilization. The author focuses on a different aspect of the civilization. I was extra fascinated by the section on Cahokia. The shift in understanding from trade center to center for religious and spiritual gatherings was eye opening for me. I took my time through this book, but enjoyed every page of it.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Back to leading co-op. It went well today, but my goodness, it was humid.
I’m a bit out of sorts today we we we out of the house from 9am to 6pm. That’s a long day away for us.
Looking forward to our walk in the woods tomorrow morning.
Longing for fall weather….

Next up on the TBR pile:

Temptation by R.L. Stine

Title: Temptation

Author: R.L. Stine

Publisher: Simon Pulse 2008

Genre: YA Horror

Pages: 407

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

Where I Got It: Library

In this collection of three fan-favorite stories, the vampires of Sandy Hollow crave the summer months. Summer means plenty of beach tourists…and plenty of fresh blood after months of deprivation. But this year the Eternal Ones have decided to spice things up with a little bet: The first to seduce a hot date of the human variety, and then turn him into a fellow creature of the night, wins.
The catch? In order to successfully turn their prey, they must take only three small sips of blood on three different nights. If they take too much blood on any night, the human will die and the bet will be lost.
The setup sounds simple enough, but things quickly get complicated—especially since each vampire is just dying to quench her thirst...

I saw this book featured on an episode of The Big Door Prize and of course I had to grab it. I knew that it was going to be some cheesy young adult vampire stories. It did deliver on that. But I must say that it also didn’t have enough at all. The dialogue was terrible and kept pulling me out of the story. It really felt that these teenagers were living int he 70s, not now. I wanted to see a bit more modern language and interactions. This book was good for just some silly stories.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Ruthless Redemption by Katee Robert

Title: Ruthless Redemption (previously published as The Bastard’s Bargain) (The O’Malleys #6)

Author: Katee Robert

Publisher: Forever 2018

Genre: Romance

Pages: 352

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: None

Where I Got It: Library ebook

Spice Rating: 5

Married to the enemy.

When Keira O'Malley was a child, she used to picture her perfect wedding. The flowers. The dress. Her husband. But nothing could have prepared her for saying "I do" to Dmitri Romanov-cold, domineering, and always one step ahead of everyone else in the ever-shifting power plays of New York City. She agreed to his bargain to secure peace for her family, and she may want the bastard more than she'd ever admit, but she'll be damned if she'll make this marriage easy for him.

Dmitri knows better than to underestimate Keira for one second. Molten desire smolders between them, a dangerous addiction neither can resist. But his enemies are already on the move, and he needs every ounce of his legendary focus and control to keep them alive. Keira could just be his secret weapon-if she doesn't bring him to his knees first.

We finally get to really meet Dmitri! This was the perfect story to end the series. Once again, I was completely taken in by the MMC and his entire backstory. I really wanted him to find somebody to connect with and develop a relationship. I loved seeing Dmitri in his element and navigating the treacherous waters of his business. I loved how the Romanovs finally made peace with the O’Malleys. What I did love was Keira. She was just so so young. I wanted to see her have more identity and agency before she was married to Dmitri. Not a fan of the age and experience gap. Still a solid book to finish off the series.

The O’Malleys

#1 The Marriage Contract / Dark Succession
#2 The Wedding Pact / Heated Rivals
#3 An Indecent Proposal / Twisted Secrets
#4 Forbidden Promises / Beautiful Vengeance
#5 Undercover Attraction / Lovely Corruption
#6 The Bastard’s Bargain / Ruthless Redemption

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Rise Against "Ready to Fall"

A very old song that I rediscovered on the radio. I just really love their sound. Takes me back…

Next Up on the TBR Pile:

Life Right Now #19

As I look outside my window: The sky is cloudy, but it’s still super humid. Not the best weather today.

Right now I am: Deciding on what to make for brunch today. We have eggs and bacon, but I haven’t chosen the baked good. Maybe some blueberry scones?

Thinking and pondering: Oh I do not feel ready for school to star ton Monday. I realize that we homeschool and technically I can start whenever, but I did have us scheduled for Monday. I think that we will still start on Monday, but I need to spend some time prepping today.

On my bedside table: Dark Restraint by Katee Robert; The Nice House on the Lake Vol. 2

On my tv this week: I’ve been traveling, so not a lot of television viewing. I did catch up with The Bachelorette and Below Deck. And we discovered that Plebs had a capstone movie special.

Listening to: After finishing an audiobook on the drive home, I got back into S10 of Revolutions. I will finish it at some point, hopefully soon.

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Apple Cheddar Stuffed Chicken
Tuesday - Sesame Chicken
Wednesday - Prosciutto Provolone Fig Grilled Cheese
Thursday - Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp
Friday - Leftover
Saturday - Honey and Lime Jalapeño Chicken
Sunday - Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos

On my to do list: I need to finish putting away all the travel stuff. The laundry is half done, but needs to be sorted and put away. Beyond that, I have a kitchen to get sorted and curriculum to organize.

Happening this week:

Monday - Arthur Dentist Appointment; First Day of School
Tuesday - Home Day
Wednesday - Splashed Party; Pokemon Club
Thursday - Coop
Friday - Fontenelle Forest Hike
Saturday - Home Day
Sunday - Pool Party

What I am creating: Mostly lists…

My simple pleasures: My own bed. Really it’s so nice to be home and sleeping in my own bed.

Looking around the house: Obviously things are very cluttered right away after arriving home on Friday. I need to do a big pickup.

From the camera: Checking out our 4th SR-71. This one was a training plane.

The Nice House on the Lake Vol. 1

Title: The Nice House on the Lake Vol. 1

Author: James Tynion, Alvaro Martinez Bueno, Jordie Bellaire

Publisher: DC Comics 2022

Genre: Comics

Pages: 200

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: None

Where I Got It: Library

Everyone who was invited to the house knows Walter-well, they know him a little, anyway. Some met him in childhood; some met him months ago. And Walter’s always been a little…off. But after the hardest year of their lives, nobody was going to turn down Walter’s invitation to an astonishingly beautiful house in the woods, overlooking an enormous sylvan lake. It’s beautiful, it’s opulent, it’s private-so a week of putting up with Walter’s weird little schemes and nicknames in exchange for the vacation of a lifetime? Why not? All of them were at that moment in their lives when they could feel themselves pulling away from their other friends; wouldn’t a chance to reconnect be…nice? Collects The Nice House on the Lake #1-6.

How did I miss this series? Probably because it came from DC Comics. I’m definitely more of an Image reader. But I finally picked this one up and devoured it. This is a story that starts slow, but hooked me immediately. I desperately wanted to unravel the mystery presented with the inhabitants of the house. We get clues here and there and then the story takes a huge turn. I was absolutely floored and cannot wait to grab the next volume.

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Next up on the TBR pile:

Lovely Corruption by Katee Robert

Title: Lovely Corruption (previously published as Undercover Attraction) (The O’Malleys #5)

Author: Katee Robert

Publisher: Forever 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 336

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: None

Where I Got It: Library ebook

Spice Rating: 5

Scandal. Wealth. Power. Seduction. Welcome to the world of the O'Malleys.
Ex-cop Charlotte Finch used to think there was a clear line between right and wrong. Then her fellow officers betrayed her, and the world is no longer so black and white. Especially when it's Aiden O'Malley, one of the most dangerous men in Boston, who offers her a chance for justice. The only catch: she'll have to pretend to be his fiancvee for his plan to work.
Aiden can't afford to let anyone see the man behind the mask. To run the O'Malley empire, he has to be cool and controlled at all times. But the moment he meets Charlie, they're playing with fire. Her slightest touch is enough to send him over the edge. At first their "engagement" was a way to eliminate his enemies. Now he'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe-- even if he has to destroy his own family to do it.

Thank goodness the series redeemed itself with this volume. Aiden has always been a closed book in this series, and we finally get to peel back the layers a bit. I loved seeing him become vulnerable and start to see how his actions have affected the other families members. Charlie is a great foil for his personality and strength. We get to see how Charlie tempers Aiden’s worst tendencies and creates more of a bond with the rest of the family. On the other side of the story, we get a lot of big action sequences and suspenseful moments involving the other families. And I must say that the steamy scenes in this one were really memorable.

The O’Malleys

#1 The Marriage Contract / Dark Succession
#2 The Wedding Pact / Heated Rivals
#3 An Indecent Proposal / Twisted Secrets
#4 Forbidden Promises / Beautiful Vengeance
#5 Undercover Attraction / Lovely Corruption
#6 The Bastard’s Bargain / Ruthless Redemption

Next up on the TBR pile:

Beautiful Vengeance by Katee Robert

Title: Beautiful Vengeance (previously published as Forbidden Promises) (The O’Malleys #4)

Author: Katee Robert

Publisher: Forever 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 320

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: None

Where I Got It: Library ebook

Spice Rating: 5

Some lines should never be crossed . . . not even for love.
Sloan O'Malley just left her entire world behind-her family, her wealth, and even her real name. For the first time in her life, she's free. She can live the "normal" life she's always wanted: A life without fear. But there's nothing safe about her intensely sexy next-door neighbor.
Jude MacNamara has no room for innocence in his life. Only revenge. Still, he's never been able to walk away from the forbidden, and Sloan--who is every inch of pure, mouthwatering temptation--has forbidden written all over her. Only after it's way too late does he discover the real danger: claiming Sloan as his puts a target on her back. To protect her, Jude is willing risk everything . . . and to hell with the consequences.

Ooof this one did not land for me at all. Right away, I was annoyed by how much of a doormat Sloan was. And she doesn’t really grow much at all throughout the book. Instead we see her stumble around until she falls into bed with Jude. There’s just not enough there to really connect to her as a character. Jude isn’t much better. He’s so drive by revenge that it becomes his entire personality. Not a fan. But my biggest complaint about this book is the accidental pregnancy storyline. I absolutely hate when a virgin has sex and immediately gets pregnant. No thank you! it’s just a tired trope and one that doesn’t allow for the growth of the romance and relationship that I actually want to see.

The O’Malleys

#1 The Marriage Contract / Dark Succession
#2 The Wedding Pact / Heated Rivals
#3 An Indencent Proposal / Twisted Secrets
#4 Forbidden Promises / Beautiful Vengeance
#5 Undercover Attraction / Lovely Corruption
#6 The Bastard’s Bargain / Ruthless Redemption

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Royale Lynn feat. Danny Worsnop "Death Wish"

Really digging this collaboration.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Six by Loren Grush

Title: The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts

Author: Loren Grush

Publisher: Scribner 2023

Genre: Nonfiction - US History

Pages: 432

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Reader; Clock Reader

Where I Got It: Library

In this account of America’s first women astronauts “Grush skillfully weaves a story that, at its heart, is about desire: not a nation’s desire to conquer space, but the longing of six women to reach heights that were forbidden to them” (The New York Times).

When NASA sent astronauts to the moon in the 1960s and 1970s the agency excluded women from the corps, arguing that only military test pilots—a group then made up exclusively of men—had the right stuff. It was an era in which women were steered away from jobs in science and deemed unqualified for space flight. Eventually, though, NASA recognized its blunder and opened the application process to a wider array of hopefuls, regardless of race or gender. From a candidate pool of 8,000 six elite women were selected in 1978—Sally Ride, Judy Resnik, Anna Fisher, Kathy Sullivan, Shannon Lucid, and Rhea Seddon.

Our book club selection for August was a nonfiction pick! I was really hoping for an engaging story of six fascinating women. We got most of that, but there were a few slow parts. I loved learning about the process of these women becoming astronauts. I was very interested in the process. And I was interested in seeing how NASA adapted and changed over the decades. I was less excited to really get into the nitty gritty of each of these missions. The details started to bog down the book a bit. Overall, I did enjoy this one, but I wonder if the Young Readers version would be better.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Summer Adventures - July

Instead of a summer bucket list, we are just taking the weeks as they come. But we ended up having many adventures this month.

Stormy weather caused us to pivot to the Mahoney Activity Center for an afternoon

Saw Trolls 2 at the theater for the cheap movies series

Pool party at a friend’s house for the 4th of July

Multiple hikes around town - Glacier Creek, Heron Haven,

Exploration at the Luminarium

Multiple pool visits

Second session of swim lessons - A passed Level 2, Q did not

Playing Pokemon at club

Ice cream at Dairy Twist

Sleepover at a friend’s house!

Visited the Omaha Zoo complete with splash pad fun

Old fashioned park playdate

Video games playdate with friends

Sushi train visit

Trip to Indiana!

We popped into the Putnam Museum in Davenport on the way. (Free admission using our Morrill Hall membership pass.)

Due to a plane delay, we found ourselves in Indianapolis for an extra day. Explored the Indiana State Museum and walked along the canal. (Free admission using our Morrill Hall membership pass.)

Next up on the TBR pile:

August 2024 Life Goals

Let’s check in on July’s goals and my progress.

Read 18 Books ✓
Finish Planning Indiana Trip - Considering that I am here, I’m going to say that it’s planned. ✓
Complete Our Summer Bucket List ✓
Prep August and September Homeschool Plans ✓
Get Academic Coop Off the Ground - Still working on this one.

August Goals:

Read 18 Books
Schedule a Meeting for All of Secular Omaha
Finish Academic Co-op Lesson Plans
Plan the Boys’ Birthday Party

Next up on the TBR pile:

July 2024 Wrap-up

July TBR Pile (19/19):

Bookworms BC: The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods ✓
Friend BC: The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok ✓
Nerdy Bookish Friends BC: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett ✓
Kid Book Club: Endling by Katherine Applegate ✓
Kid Read Aloud: The Dragon in the Library by Louie Stowell ✓
Fantasy: Witch King by Martha Wells ✓
Romance: The Book of Scandal by Julia London ✓
Romance: Leather and Lark by Brynne Weaver ✓
Romance: The Gentleman’s Gambit by Evie Dunmore ✓
Romance: The Marriage Contract / Dark Succession by Katee Robert ✓
Romance: The Wedding Pact / Heated Rivals by Katee Robert ✓
Romance: An Indecent Proposal /Twisted Secrets by Katee Robert ✓
Science Fiction: Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff ✓
Science Fiction: Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff ✓
Horror: Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman ✓
Horror: The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert ✓
Comic: Glass Town by Isabel Greenberg ✓
Nonfiction: Broad Strokes by Bridget Quinn ✓
Nonfiction: Raising Critical Thinkers by Julie Bogart ✓

1,000,000 Page Goal:

Monthly Total: 7170 pages
Pages Remaining: 223,089 pages

Current Read - The Six by Loren Grush; Beautiful Vengeance by Katee Robert

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books Bought/Received (0)

UnRead Shelf Progress

Starting Number: 315
Books Read: 3
Books Acquired: 0
Books Unshelved: 2
Finishing Number: 310

August TBR Pile:

Bookworms BC: I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
Friend BC: The Six by Lauren Grush
Nerdy Bookish Friends BC: The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
Kid Book Club: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
Romance: Beautiful Vengeance by Katee Robert
Romance: Lovely Corruption by Katee Robert
Romance: Ruthless Redemption by Katee Robert

Movies Watched

Trolls
Polite Society
The Boy and the Heron

TV Shows Watched

Barry S1-2
Doctor Who
The Boys S4
The Big Door Prize S2
Hit Monkey S2
Twisted Metal S1
A Gentleman in Moscow

Comments - Another stellar month! I didn’t get to as many Unread Shelf books as I had hoped, but I did get ahead on multiple book club schedules. And the kids and I knocked out some great reads!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Something Corporate "Death Grip"

New music from Something Corporate with Andrew McMahon! It’s been way too long.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Twisted Secrets by Katee Robert

Title: Twisted Secrets (previously published as An Indecent Proposal) (The O’Malleys #3)

Author: Katee Robert

Publisher: Forever 2016

Genre: Romance

Pages: 336

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: None

Where I Got It: Library ebook

Spice Rating: 5

Greed. Ambition. Violence. Those are the "values" Olivia Rashidi learned from her Russian mob family-and the values she must leave behind for the sake of her daughter. When she meets Cillian O'Malley, she recognizes the red flag of his family name . . . yet she still can't stop herself from seeing the smoldering, tortured man. To save her family, Olivia sets out to discover Cillian's own secrets, but the real revelation is how fast-and how hard-she's falling for him.

Plagued by a violent past, Cillian is more vulnerable than anyone realizes. Anyone except Olivia, whose beauty, compassion, and pride have him at "hello," even if she's more inclined to say good-bye to an O'Malley. While his proposal of sex with no strings seems simple, what he feels for her isn't, especially after he learns that she belongs to a rival crime family. Cillian knows that there is no escape from the life, but Olivia may be worth trying-and dying-for . . .

Based on the first chapters of this book, I didn’t think I was going to like this pairing of Olivia and Cillian. Honestly I thought that Cillian was too good for her. Thankfully, these two characters have some good conversations and the reader can see their growth throughout the pages. This one was much more of the Katee Robert style that I so love. We get some good conversations. We get some spicy scenes. And we get some great action sequences. I am really enjoying this older series.

The O’Malleys

#1 The Marriage Contract / Dark Succession
#2 The Wedding Pact / Heated Rivals
#3 An Indencent Proposal / Twisted Secrets
#4 Forbidden Promises / Beautiful Vengeance
#5 Undercover Attraction / Lovely Corruption
#6 The Bastard’s Bargain / Ruthless Redemption

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #18

Right now I am: Prepping for the Homeschool Seminar I’m hosting today. Lots of people are planning on coming (like 25), we’ll see who actually shows up.

Thinking and pondering: Do I have everything for my trip to Indiana? Packing lists are such a pain sometimes.

On my bedside table: The Six by Loren Grush; Beautiful Vengeance by Katee Robert; Gargantis by Thomas Taylor

On my tv this week: Not a whole lot. We did jump back into A Gentleman in Moscow (we’re almost done). We also finished S2 of The Big Door Prize, S1 of Twisted Metal, S4 of The Boys, and S2 of Hit Monkey.

Listening to: I dove back into Revolutions S10 with my new AirPods. I’m about 60% of the way through that season.

On the menu for this week: We will be having leftovers on Monday night… and then we will be traveling, so no definite plans.

On my to do list: I have some random things I want to get down before leaving on Tuesday. Mostly they are little tasks and general clean-up items.

Happening this week:

Monday - Pool afternoon (last one of the season for us)
Tuesday - Travel Day; Pickup Alex from the airport
Wednesday - Drive to Fort Wayne
Thursday - Chill Day
Friday - Coffee with a friend; Pool afternoon
Saturday - Coffee with a friend
Sunday - Hanging out with Grandpa

What I am creating: I made a little travel kit for my Memory Planner and regular planner. I should be able to finish July’s pages while in Indiana. And work on August-September’s planner pages.

My simple pleasures: Conchitas, returning library books (that I’ve finished), time alone to just think

Looking around the house: Things are pretty picked up prior to our trip. I like coming home to a decently clean house.

From the camera: The boys experienced Sushi Train for the first time. They loved it!

The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert

Title: The Bad Ones

Author: Melissa Albert

Publisher: Flatiron Books 2024

Genre: YA Horror

Pages: 400

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 52 Book Club - Omniscient Narrator; Library Love

Where I Got It: Library

In the course of a single winter’s night, four people vanish without a trace across a small town.

Nora’s estranged best friend, Becca, is one of the lost. As Nora tries to untangle the truth of Becca’s disappearance, she discovers a darkness in her town’s past, as well as a string of coded messages Becca left for her to unravel. These clues lead Nora to a piece of local lore: a legendary goddess of forgotten origins who played a role in Nora and Becca’s own childhood games. . . .

An arresting, crossover horror fantasy threaded with dark magic, The Bad Ones is a poison-pen love letter to semi-toxic best friendship, the occult power of childhood play and artistic creation, and the razor-thin line between make-believe and belief.

Such a disappointment. I loved Albert’s Hazelwood series and was hoping for more dark fantasy. This one started very very slow and failed to go anywhere for too many pages. Once we finally kick the plot into gear, the horror doesn’t deliver like I had hoped. It’s very lackluster. And don’t get me started on the “romance” sections. I just couldn’t buy those two characters being together and didn’t care what happened to them. Overall, I found myself being extremely bored throughout this book.

Next up on the TBR pile: