Title: Cafe Con Lychee

Author: Emery Lee

Theo Mori wants to escape. Leaving Vermont for college means getting away from working at his parents’ Asian American café and dealing with their archrivals’ hopeless son Gabi who’s lost the soccer team more games than Theo can count.

Gabi Moreno is miserably stuck in the closet. Forced to play soccer to hide his love for dance and iced out by Theo, the only openly gay guy at school, Gabi’s only reprieve is his parents’ Puerto Rican bakery and his plans to take over after graduation.

But the town’s new fusion café changes everything. Between the Mori’s struggling shop and the Moreno’s plan to sell their bakery in the face of the competition, both boys find their dreams in jeopardy. Then Theo has an idea—sell photo-worthy food covertly at school to offset their losses. When he sprains his wrist and Gabi gets roped in to help, they realize they need to work together to save their parents’ shops but will the new feelings rising between them be enough to send their future plans up in smoke?

‘Sometimes bitter rivalries can brew something sweet!’

Enemies to lovers and food. My 2 favourite things combined!

Gabi and Theo are basically family business rivals but when a new cafe moves into town taking both families business, they put their issues aside and pair up to see what they can do to save the day (after a doozy of a misunderstanding, I actually cringed!)

This was such a cute read! Enemies, to friends, to bf’s!

I loved Gabi from the start. He’s a sweetheart. I didn’t actually like Theo that much at the start but he did grow on me. I know he had a lot going on but he’s just really rude to everyone!!

So we have teen drama, great writing and a story that made me hungry!!!!

This was a great little read and it’s really made want to try a boba tea as I’ve never had one!

Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Topic: 21st Century Books I Think Will Become Classics

Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James

ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
Shadowhunters by Cassandra Clare

Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Paper Princess by Erin Watt

Which books would you pick?

Title: Gods and Monsters

Series: Serpent and Dove #3

Author: Shelby Mahurin

Evil always seeks a foothold. We must not give it one.

After a heartbreaking loss, Lou, Reid, Beau, and Coco are bent on vengeance more than ever before—and none more so than Lou.

But this is no longer the Lou they thought they knew. No longer the Lou that captured a chasseur’s heart. A darkness has settled over her, and this time it will take more than love to drive it out.

Back with Lou and Reid! Well. I hope this isn’t an unpopular opinion but I can’t say I enjoyed this as much as the first 2 books in the series. It made me sad to feel this way and I upon reflection, I think this could’ve been a duology.

But anyway, although I felt the first half dragged, the 2nd half was action packed and I started to really enjoy it! I really enjoyed Lou and Reid falling back in love again….was steamy!

I don’t want to say anything about the plot but can tell you the characters really came into their own and the epilogue was so beautiful, I had a lump in my throat!

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.

Hiya!

Firstly, Happy Mothers Day! We went for a meal last night to avoid any crowds and rush!

So reading, for the majority of 22 I have been a reading machine!! I’ve read 38 books at the time of posting this which is HUGE for me.

I’m definitely a seasonal reader, I read more in the Autumn and Winter than I do in Spring or Summer but, as I’ve read more than usual, it’s kind of making me worry that I am up for a slump of epic proportions!!!! Does anyone else feel like that sometimes?

I have read quite a few books in the last few weeks! It seems a lot but I had not quite finished ASitE, Gods and Monsters and The Black Witch before my last update so they’re included here!

What I’ve Read

A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L Armentrout See my review here.

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare
See my review soon!

Death by Laura Thalassa. See my review here.

🎧 Gods and Monsters by Shelby Mahurin
See my review soon!

🎧 The Black Witch by Laurie Forest
See my review soon!

🎧 The Iron Flower by Laurie Forest
See my review soon!

📚 The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L Armentrout – See my review soon!

📚 Galatea by Madeline Miller – see my review here.

📚 Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning – see my review soon!

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Bookish Arrivals

The Roommate by Rosie Danan

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In case you missed it…..

Review – Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham
Review – Death by Laura Thalassa
Unboxing – Afterlight February 2022
Feature – April books I need!
Unboxing – Illumicrate February 2022
Review – House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas
Review – The Black Witch by Laurie Forest
Review – A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L Armentrout

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What have you read lately?

Title: Galatea

Author: Madeline Miller

In Ancient Greece, a skilled marble sculptor has been blessed by a goddess who has given his masterpiece – the most beautiful woman the town has ever seen – the gift of life. Now his wife, Galatea is expected to be obedience and humility personified, but it is not long before she learns to use her beauty as a form of manipulation. In a desperate bid by her obsessive husband to keep her under control, she is locked away under the constant supervision of doctors and nurses. But with a daughter to rescue, she is determined to break free, whatever the cost…

Galatea was made from stone by a sculptor and bought to life as his idea of a perfect woman. Only she doesn’t turn out to be ideal in his eyes.

The authors writing is so good as usual and her take on this myth was beautiful and, although short, actually heartbreaking.

I would love to read more short stories like this from her.

Title: A Shadow in the Ember

Series: Flesh and Fire #1

Author: Jennifer L Armentrout

Born shrouded in the veil of the Primals, a Maiden as the Fates promised, Seraphena Mierel’s future has never been hers. Chosen before birth to uphold the desperate deal her ancestor struck to save his people, Sera must leave behind her life and offer herself to the Primal of Death as his Consort.   

However, Sera’s real destiny is the most closely guarded secret in all of Lasania—she’s not the well protected Maiden but an assassin with one mission—one target. Make the Primal of Death fall in love, become his weakness, and then…end him. If she fails, she dooms her kingdom to a slow demise at the hands of the Rot. 

Sera has always known what she is. Chosen. Consort. Assassin. Weapon. A specter never fully formed yet drenched in blood. A monster. Until him. Until the Primal of Death’s unexpected words and deeds chase away the darkness gathering inside her. And his seductive touch ignites a passion she’s never allowed herself to feel and cannot feel for him. But Sera has never had a choice. Either way, her life is forfeit—it always has been, as she has been forever touched by Life and Death.

This was a great read, I was obsessed with this and I inhaled it! Well it took me 10 hours in one sitting but I read it all (who needs to eat?!)

Sera was the Maiden, to become the Consort of the God of Death until she was rejected and then her life changed. Now ahandmaiden that no one knows, basically shunned by her faimily, a lonely old life. Until one day she gets mixed up in something she shouldn’t!

No more about the plot but…..

Nyktos is basically just a dream man. He is just everything! He has been added to my bbf list!!! Sera was so strong and reminded me much of Poppy!

The tension between them was so hot and it was also sweet, two halves of a whole. I think I love them more than Poppy and Casteel!

I need that next book now!

Title: The Black Witch

Series: The Black Witch Chronicles #1

Author: Laurie Foster

A new Black Witch will rise…her powers vast beyond imagining.

Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner, who drove back the enemy forces and saved the Gardnerian people during the Realm War. But while she is the absolute spitting image of her famous grandmother, Elloren is utterly devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else.

When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University to embrace a destiny of her own, free from the shadow of her grandmother’s legacy. But she soon realizes that the university, which admits all manner of people—including the fire-wielding, winged Icarals, the sworn enemies of all Gardnerians—is a treacherous place for the granddaughter of the Black Witch.

As evil looms on the horizon and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, everything Elloren thought she knew will be challenged and torn away. Her best hope of survival may be among the most unlikely band of rebels…if only she can find the courage to trust those she’s been taught to fear.

I listened to the audio and can totally recommend!

So Elloren and her brothers are descended from a great mage and are sent off to Verpax University to learn. Unforts Elloren is the spitting image of her famous grandmother and appears to have no magic. Also unfortunately and absolutely disgusting is the blatant racism and treatment of fantasy races that goes on.

Elloren really annoyed me first of all. I thought she was judgemental and ignorant but actually she was naive and was just believing everything she had been told growing up. I love how she started to question things and sought out answers. Her character growth was immense.

And omg the triangle. Lukas and Yvan. I don’t normally read love triangles reads because they make me rage as I love one party but not the other! But I love both in this read so am hoping for a throuple situation!!!

Two characters that I adored and stood completely out for me were Diana and her lupine twin, Jared. Hope to see great things from them!!!

I’m not going to say much else about the storyline but the resistance plotline was fab. I really enjoyed this read so I’m onto the next!

Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.


Topic: Books With an Adjective In the Title

Thank god my son had adjectives as homework so I still knew what one was without having to Google 😂 Saying this, I did second guess some of these!!!!

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa
Tempting Destiny by Amelia Hutchins
Craving Constellations by Nicole Jacquelyn
Broken Web by Lori M Lee
Dark Prince by Michelle Hercules
The Gilded Cage by Lynette Noni
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

What books would you choose?

I made a promise to myself that I’d really cutback on my book buying this year for a few reasons:

✔ I’m running out space,
✔ My tbr has never been bigger than it is right now,
✔ I’m trying to save some money.

Unfortunately I appear to have failed at this already so get ready for posts with me buying loads of books!!!! On a serious note, I am going to try and reel myself in a bit!!!

Gossamer in the Darkness by Kristen Ashley

Amari and the Great Game by BB Alston

What books are you looking forward to?