Tag Archive for: Utah Author

, ,

Something Wilder

Something WilderTitle: Something Wilder
Author: Christina Lauren
Genre: Romance, Thriller
Spice: 2.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 376
Length: 9h 27m
Narrator: Patti Murin, Jon Root
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I adored SOMETHING WILDER. I thought it was a fun adventurous, suspenseful, and mildly spicy romance. I loved both Lily and Leo. I loved their stories and that they got a second chance to be together. I thought it was fun that the story was set in my home state. I think this is my favorite Christina Lauren book I’ve read so far.

,

Every Beat After

Every Beat AfterTitle: Every Beat After
Author: Sara B. Larson
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Spice: 1 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 384
Length: 12h 25m
Narrator: Lauren Pope
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I adored everything about EVERY BEAT AFTER. I haven’t cried this much reading a book for a while. There’s so much emotion packed in this heart-wrenching / -warming romance. The story’s definitely not for the faint of heart (pun intended) as the characters battle fear, anxiety, grief, guilt, shame, betrayal, redemption, and forgiveness. Larson’s masterful execution of the messy-mates-to-lovers (iykyk) trope had me staying up late to finish Liv and Hunter’s story. I saw the big twist coming a mile away but it didn’t lessen the impact and cheapen the story for me. It actually made it sweeter and did a great job bringing the two together in the end.

, ,

The Immortal Throne

The Immortal ThroneTitle: The Immortal Throne
Author: Bree Despain
Series: Into the Dark #3
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
Spice: 0.5 / 5
Format: Kindle
Pages: 344
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I don’t know why I waited so long to read THE IMMORTAL THRONE. I knew I’d love it and I did, more than I thought I would. This was a fantastic conclusion to the trilogy. I loved that some things were left open, but most of the major things were resolved. I loved getting to spend time in both the Underrealm and Skyrealm. I loved LOVED LOVED all the mythology that went into this trilogy (and all the Star Wars references since I know Bree is a huge fan).

The Unselected Journals Of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1

The Unselected Journals Of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1Title: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1
Author: Beth Brower
Series: Emma M. Lion #1
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Audio
Pages: 107
Length: 3h 15m
Narrator: Genevieve Gaunt
Reason Read: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’m glad I decided to follow my book club’s recommendation and start the Emma M. Lion series. I really enjoyed the format as it made for an interesting read. I also love the Victorian era England setting. The characters are so much. I especially love Emma’s feistiness and penchant to do what she wants in a time when it was frowned upon. I’m excited to see what happens in volume 2.

,

Tress Of The Emerald Sea

Tress Of The Emerald SeaTitle: Tress of the Emerald Sea
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Audio
Pages: 369
Length: 12h 27m
Narrator: Michael Kramer
Reason Read: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’m glad I had a chance to read TRESS OF THE EMERALD SEA, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. I enjoyed the book, but I didn’t love it. Part of the issue for me was Hoid, the narrator. I didn’t like his way of telling the story. I’m not a huge fan of 4th-wall-breaking, unless it’s in movies or TV shows, because it usually takes me out of the story and I want to be immersed.

I did like Tress and most of the other characters. I also liked the overall story of her defying the king’s order to not leave her little island to search for her lost love and travel through the dangerous spore oceans. I also liked the ending and the fact that Sanderson left it open so he can write more stories about Tress and her planet.

After doing some research, I’ve now realized that this book is part of Sanderson’s Cosmere universe. While TRESS OF THE EMERALD SEA is a standalone novel, it has connections and some shared characters to his other series and books.