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Onyx Storm

Onyx StormTitle: Onyx Storm
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: Empyrean #3
Genre: Romantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 527
Length: 23h 52m
Narrator: Rebecca Soler, and more
Source: Library
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

Holy crap! That ending! Why do I read these series before all the books are out?! It’s going to be torture waiting for the next book. I feel like I did after watching Avengers: Infinity War for the first time–numb, sad, and trying to be hopeful despite the crushing weight of grief. So many tears! So many! Rebecca Yarros certainly knows how to hook her readers and stomp all over their hearts.

From the instant I started reading ONYX STORM, I was hooked. I wanted to know everything and make sure my favorite characters made it out of the story alive. I loved learning more about Andarna and seeing more of the world than in previous books.

I’m excited to see where this series goes next and I’ll be on pins and needles waiting for the next book.

Additional Narrators: Teddy Hamilton, Justis Bolding, Jasmin Walker

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The Blonde Identity

The Blonde IdentityTitle: The Blonde Identity
Author: Ally Carter
Series: Blonde Identity #1
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 289
Length: 9h 1m
Narrator: Emily Ellet, Andrew Eiden
Source: Library
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

THE BLONDE IDENTITY was such a fun fast-paced fade-to-black romance. I loved both Zoe and Sawyer, their chemistry, and banter.

I loved the premise of Zoe being the non-espionage twin targeted by iffy governments and groups all while trying to get her memory back. It was action-packed with never a dull moment. The story felt like a funnier and rom-comier version of THE BLONDE IDENTITY.

I’m excited to stay in this world and read Alex’s story once THE BLONDE WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD releases later this year.

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The Soulmate

The SoulmateTitle: The Soulmate
Author: Sally Hepworth
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 327
Length: 7h 44m
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik, Jessica Douglas-Henry
Source: Owned
Reason: Book Club, BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

This is the second Hepworth book I’ve read. With both books, I really enjoyed the suspense, but I struggled with the mental health aspects. I feel like Hepworth uses diagnoses like Borderline Personality Disorder or Bipolar Disorder as a crutch to explain why her antagonists are psychotic. Also, the ending in this one wasn’t very satisfying.

Despite THE SOULMATE’s flaws, the story was intriguing. I liked the dual narrators and the back and forth between the then and the now. The suspense kept me reading because I wanted to know the whole story.

2025 Goals

I’m really happy with my reading last year. I read more in 2024 than I have ever read in a year before. I’d love to try to surpass that goal this year.

My goals for 2025 are to:

  1. Read at least 60 books.
  2. Read all of my book club books.
  3. Read all of my 2025 Book of the Month picks.
  4. Read 15 of the books on my Book of the Month backlist.

I’ll keep track of my progress on my 2025 Goals & Tracking page.