My Most Anticipated 2024 Releases (July – September)

Welcome back to this little section on the blog where every few months I will tell you which are the new books that I can’t wait to have in my hands. So, without further ado, let’s see what the upcoming months have in store for us book lovers. 

July

Business Casual by B.K. Borison (July 16th)

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell (July 23rd)

Cross the Line by Simone Soltani (July 23rd)

August

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (August 6th)

Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher (August 15th)

There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak (August 20th)

Daydream by Hannah Grace (August 27th)

September

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune (September 10th)

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (September 10th)

Graveyard Shift by M. L. Rio (September 24th)

Nothing like the movies by Lynn Painter (September 24th)

When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson (September 24th)

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (September 24th)

Obviously there are a lot more new releases coming out in the next few months but these are the ones I’m most excited for. If you want to always be updated on new releases just remember to check out our Instagram stories every first day of the month, you’ll find the aforementioned books and a lot more. Our Instagram is @booksrealwhenshared 

I hope you guys enjoyed this post. Let me know in the comments which your most anticipated releases are!

Pole Position by Rebecca J. Caffery – ARC Review

Title: Pole Position

Author: Rebecca J. Caffery

Synopsis: Red, White and Royal Blue meets Formula 1!

Kian Walker has always been the golden boy of motor sport. The four-time Championship winner has racing in his DNA – his father was a legend on the track, just don’t let him catch you comparing the two. As reckless and unreliable at home as he was behind the wheel, there’s nothing Kian wants less than to be just like his dad.

Enter Harper James. This year’s rookie called up to compete with the big boys – and Kian’s new teammate. Cocky, hot-headed and with a reputation for breaking as many hearts as he does new track records, Harper’s the opposite of Kian in every way. But when the season starts, there’s no getting away from him.

This might be one of the most dangerous sports in the world, so why then does Kian’s heart feel safer flying around the track at 220mph than when he’s anywhere near his teammate?

Rating: 3.25/5 Stars

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I’m at a point in my life where I get to know how sports work thanks to my reading preferences and not through actual knowledge from my everyday life and let me tell you, I’m not mad about it.

This sport romance is Formula 1 centered, which was nice and I would also say a novelty when it comes to this kind of genre. I know next to nothing about this sport but I think all the aspects were done pretty well and I didn’t feel like there were things that flew over my head. I especially enjoyed reading the high-stake moments when the races actually took place, it was definitely adrenaline inducing! 

But now let’s get to the characters of this novel, Kian and Harper, a four-time Championship winner and the young rookie driver who ends up in his team. The two are polar opposites in everything concerning their training, their behavior on the track, their routine, even how they celebrate their wins! But the more time they are forced to spend together, the more they get to know each other and along the way their relationship starts to shift and develop.

Overall I would say this book was an enjoyable read for sure and I enjoyed reading about Kian and Harper’s relationship, I only wish we could have seen more, especially when it comes to the emotional aspect of it. The two of them feel a physical attraction for each other, that much is obvious, and they also share some funny banter and emotional moments, but overall I felt like something was missing and some emotionally-charged scenes were too rushed for my taste.

Unfortunately I also found some of their dynamics a bit repetitive at times and since we get to see both their POVs I would have liked some more introspection on Harper’s part, especially considering all the trauma he has to unpack in order to fully trust Kian and be ready to be in a long-lasting and loving relationship.

All the remarks just mentioned are obviously personal preferences when it comes to romance and in the end I would honestly say that overall Pole Position was an entertaining read and I’m sure that lots of sports romance fans will enjoy it. Also, I don’t know if this book will turn out to be the first one in a companion series or something since there is a side-character who I think may be getting his own story… we’ll see about that, but if that’s the case, I’m so curious to see what his deal is.

Anyway, if you’re into Formula 1, you’re definitely in for a treat!

Talking at Night by Claire Daverley – Fancast

Hey everyone! This is my fancast for our May book club pick, Talking at Night by Claire Daverley.

If you want you can also check out the review and playlist for this book here on the blog.

Will – Ben Hardy

Rosie – Claudia Jessie

Josh – Levi Miller

Simon – Aaron Taylor-Johnson

That’s it for today, I hope you enjoyed this fancast!
Talk to you soon!

My June 2024 TBR

Hey everyone, it’s been a while since I last shared my monthly TBR with you all and so I thought it might be interesting to see what I plan to read during the upcoming month (and also if I actually manage to get to it lol). Let’s see which books I selected for the month of June!

Gwen & Art are Not in Love

Honestly, all the convincing I needed to pick up this book is the fact that it’s an Arthurian retelling with Heartstopper vibes. I’m gonna read this one with a friend and I’m just so excited!!

The Rom-Com Agenda

I’m always in the mood for contemporary romance books, but in the summer time I feel like this statement is more true than ever! I believe this one will be a cute romance read and it will be quick to get through, especially during a weekend getaway or something.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

This is actually my in-person book club pick for the month of June. I’m pretty excited to read it since it’s about a road trip, which is an element I enjoy to find in books, so I’m curious to see how it was developed in this story.

The Rom-Commers

June is full of great new releases, so you know I had to include at least one in my monthly TBR. I read The Bodyguard by the same author just a few months ago and I adored it, so I will definitely read this new story by hers and I really hope to like it just as much!

Seven Days in June

I feel like there’s a high possibility this book is gonna destroy me, but oh well I’m gonna read it anyway! I’m so intrigued by the plot and I’ve heard such great things about this story, I really have high hopes for this one. 

That’s all for today, these books are definitely my top priority for the month of June. I also hope to squeeze in a few more, but if I get to just these ones I will be more than happy. What are you planning to read in June? Let me know in a comment down below

Let Me Retell You: Hades & Persephone

Hey readers, today I’m back with the Let Me Retell You series and it’s time to talk about two of the most prominent figures in Greek mythology: Hades and Persephone. Their story has been told many times, let’s see some of them.

A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova

The first book in a romantasy series, A Deal with the Elf King incorporates the most well-known elements of the myth of Hades and Persephone and it also adds the element of choice, which was a nice touch that I appreciated. If you’re looking for a romance fantasy series, this might be the perfect read for you!

Persephone: Hades’ Torment by Allison Shaw

If you’re in the mood for a graphic novel, then I’ve got the perfect retelling for you! Through beautiful artwork this graphic novel depicts Hades and Persephone falling in love.

A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair

A Touch of Darkness offers the characters of Hades and Persephone in a contemporary setting, which is definitely something new and exciting. Gods in the modern world? Sign me up please! Also, this is the first book in a series completely dedicated to Hades and Persephone. 

Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone

This gothic novel is the first book in a fantasy series and it definitely offers a Hades and Persephone storyline which I think will be developed a lot more in the second volume. But the elements are there even in this one, the pull of the Lord Under and a girl who’s scared but also fascinated by this complex figure.

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

Mythology and Indian culture meet in this YA fantasy book that tells the story of a girl who becomes queen and the mystery she has to unravel in order to save everything she loves.

These are all the retellings I have for today, I hope you liked my choices and if you have others to recommend, please share them in a comment down below. 

If you like this book, then read this other one! #6

I always enjoy recommendations based on something I have already read, so here are a few reading suggestions that I hope you will enjoy!

The Charm Offensive – The True Love Experiment

Both these books have a main character featuring on a dating show to find their true love. Obviously things will not go as planned, and their love match might end up being someone they have never considered.

Twisted Games – The Bodyguard

I have decided to match these two novels because they have the same trope, which is the one featuring the relationship between a famous person and their bodyguard. In Twisted Games a princess falls for her new bodyguard and the two of them need to navigate what it means whereas in The Bodyguard we have a renowned actor and his bodyguard who fall head over heels for each other even though they both know they should keep business and pleasure separate.

The Wishing Game – Charlie and the chocolate factory/A Series of Unfortunate Events

If you have read The Wishing Game, I think you’ll get why I have decided it to match it with The Chocolate Factory. The idea of the contestants who get to go to the famous author’s island perfectly resembles what happens with Charlie and the golden ticket. 

I have also decided to pair this story with A Series of Unfortunate Events because I believe in some way these books just give off similar vibes and I truly think people would enjoy both stories. 

Season of Love – The Ride of Her Life

In Season of Love the main character Miriam inherits a Christmas tree farm from her great-aunt and so she moves there and decides to try and save it from bankruptcy, with the help of Noelle, the manager of the place and the one who feels most threatened by Miriam’s presence on the farm that she now feels like a true home. In The Ride of Her Life it’s Molly who inherits a horse farm from her late aunt. She will need to save the property with Shani’s help, the woman who took care of her aunt and who still works on the property. I think you can clearly see the similarities these two novels share and that’s why I’m pairing them together.

That’s all for today, I hope you enjoyed these recommendations.

Talk to you soon,

Let Me Retell You: Beauty and The Beast

Hey readers, today I’m back with the Let Me Retell You series and it’s time to talk about one of the most retold fairytale out there which is Beauty and the Beast.

Let’s see what retellings I have for you.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I have to start with this one because I believe it’s one of the most famous retellings of the last decade. The first book definitely has elements of the famous fairytale and if you have read the whole series you know that the story eventually takes a turn and distances itself from the original material by exploring different and original themes.

Of Curses and Kisses by Shandhya Menon

This book is a contemporary retelling set at an elite boarding school and I’m sure a lot of people would enjoy to read this classic in such a fun setting.

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

If you’re in the mood for a historical romance, I’ve got you covered! The Duchess Deal is the first book in this romance companion series by beloved author Tessa Dare and tells the story of a seamstress who makes a deal with a duke and marries him. For him it’s all all about business, but she slowly starts to get under his skin and they both realize that maybe true feelings might be involved in their marriage.

The Wish Collector by Mia Sheridan

This retelling is set in New Orleans and it’s about the story between a ballet dancer and the man she one day hears through the wall of a property everyone thinks that has been abandoned for years. If you’re in the mood for a tormented love story, this one’s for you.

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory

Lastly, but definitely not least, we have By the Book which is a retelling set in the publishing world. If you’re into books about books and retellings, this is the perfect fit for you!

These are all the retellings I have for today, I hope you liked my choices and if you have others to recommend, please share them in a comment down below. 

Talk to you soon, 

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson – Review (March 2024 Book Club)

Title: An Education in Malice

Author: S.T. Gibson

Rating: 2/5 Stars

Synopsis: Sumptuous and addictive, An Education in Malice is a dark academia tale of blood, secrets and insatiable hungers from Sunday Times bestselling author S.T. Gibson, author of the cult hit A Dowry of Blood.

Deep in the forgotten hills of Massachusetts stands Saint Perpetua’s College. Isolated and ancient, it is not a place for timid girls. Here, secrets are currency, ambition is lifeblood, and strange ceremonies welcome students into the fold.

On her first day of class, Laura Sheridan is thrust into an intense academic rivalry with the beautiful and enigmatic Carmilla. Together, they are drawn into the confidence of their demanding poetry professor, De Lafontaine, who holds her own dark obsession with Carmilla.

But as their rivalry blossoms into something far more delicious, Laura must confront her own strange hungers. Tangled in a sinister game of politics, bloodthirsty professors and dark magic, Laura and Carmilla must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice in their ruthless pursuit of knowledge.

This review contains spoilers

This month we read An Education in Malice as our book club pick and unfortunately I have to say that the overall feeling among us readers is disappointment. We were all expecting to find something more, but in the end it did not happen.

Personally, this was my first approach to S.T. Gibson and I’m sorry to say I was a bit disappointed. Maybe I had too much hype since I had heard great praises for this author, but as I said this book did not live up to them for me. I went into this novel expecting a gothic and queer dark academia story and even though some of the elements I was hoping to find were there, overall the story felt like it didn’t really have a clear direction and it felt like nothing much was happening. I got to the 80% mark of the book and one of the main plot points (Isis and whatever her deal was) hadn’t really been tackled and in the end it was basically resolved in just a few pages. The tension and threat that this character should have presented were non-existent and hers was treated as a backstory that sometimes resurfaced in the minds of the main characters.

Even in the moments that were supposed to be of suspence or surprise it all died down pretty quickly, for example the moment when Laura finds out that De Lafontaine is a vampire and she isn’t really shocked or anything, she just accepts it like she’s just been told the forecast for the upcoming week. 

Overall I got the feeling that this novel was trying to be too many things at once and it ended up not excelling in any field for me.

Moreover, there are quite a lot of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book and I was turning every page expecting to find SOMETHING. Let me tell you that there’s really only one scene where something sexual and kinky happens, that’s it. I mean, I’m okay with that since it’s not really my thing, but at this point I’m not even sure why this was included. It felt like an element included just for the sake of it and not really meaningful in any way to the overall storyline.

The characters were interesting in theory but they all fizzled out and became stereotypes of themselves, which was quite disappointing in my opinion. De Lafontaine was the controlling sire we’ve seen again and again, Carmilla the young vampire who wants her own independence, and Laura the young human who has to show everyone she’s not the innocent and pious girl everyone thinks she is. There really wasn’t much substance to any of them and it’s such a shame honestly.

If I have to give a praise to this novel, I’ll say the writing was good and fluent and even though I wasn’t enjoying the book a lot, this positive element did help me to get to end of the story.

Overall I would say this book had a lot of potential, but unfortunately the execution didn’t really deliver in my opinion.

That’s all for this review. If you want you can also check out the playlist and fancast we have created specifically for this novel and our instagram post dedicated to the book.

For the month of May we have decided to read Talking at Night which is probably gonna make us sob so bad. It gives off Normal People and One Day vibes, so yeah we’re definitely going to get the tissues ready for this one.

That’s all for today, thanks a lot for reading,

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun – ARC Review

Title: Here We Go Again

Author: Alison Cochrun

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Synopsis: The author of Kiss Her Once for Me returns with a new queer rom-com following once childhood best friends forced together to drive their former teacher across the country.

A long time ago, Logan Maletis and Rosemary Hale used to be friends. They spent their childhood summers running through the woods, rebelling against their conservative small town, and dreaming of escaping. But then an incident the summer before high school turned them into bitter rivals. After graduation, they went ten years without speaking.

Now in their thirties, Logan and Rosemary find they aren’t quite living the lives of adventure they imagined for themselves. Still in their small town and working as teachers at their alma mater, they’re both stuck in old patterns. Uptight Rosemary chooses security and stability over all else, working constantly, and her most stable relationship is with her label maker. Chaotic and impulsive Logan has a long list of misguided ex-lovers and an apathetic shrug she uses to protect herself from anything real. And as hard as they try to avoid each other—and their complicated past—they keep crashing into each other. Including with their cars.

But when their beloved former English teacher and lifelong mentor tells them he has only a few months to live, they’re forced together once and for all to fulfill his last a cross-country road trip. Stuffed into the gayest van west of the Mississippi, the three embark on a life-changing summer trip—from Washington state to the Grand Canyon, from the Gulf Coast to coastal Maine—that will chart a new future and perhaps lead them back to one another.

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

This review is spoiler-free.

Here We Go Again is a novel about a dying man’s last wish and two of his former students who decide to embark on a summer road trip and make this wish come true no matter what it takes. 

Let me say that I did enjoy the story and how it was structured, especially the road trip aspect and how very spontaneous it became from one point on (yeah since we let go of the binder, sorry Rosemary). Seeing these characters following their hearts and going to places they have always wanted to visit, being it to see a national park or to pay a visit to a special someone, was truly inspiring and it totally gave off the road trip vibe I was expecting to find in this novel. I get that it wasn’t easy to make this spontaneous choices, but I believe that this really offered every character room to grow and explore more.

The main trio works well, both in the funny moments and in the sad ones. Joe, Rosemary and Logan did have an adventurous summer and I, as the reader, could feel how at ease they all were with each other and how important it was for them to be experiencing all the things together at that precise moment. However, they all did have to get things off their chest and face some of their inner turmoil and I think the author portrayed these aspects really well. In the end I truly felt like they all went through a physical but also metaphorical journey to realize and get over things that had been burdening them for a long time, each and every one in their own way.

In all honestly the aspect that let me down was actually the romance. I read Cochrun’s previous novels and I loved them both dearly, but in this one I feel like the romance took a step back in favor of other topics. It’s not a bad thing per se, it’s just not what I was expecting and it left me definitely wanting more from these characters. Rosemary and Logan’s story arc could have been developed a bit better in my opinion, especially because their trope childhood friends to basically strangers to lovers was very cool in theory, but unfortunately in practice it did fizzle out pretty quickly.

All in all, I still found Cochrun’s lovely prose in this book which is always a merit for me since I really enjoy her writing style. Also, I would say that this novel is clearly another example of how good she is at creating complex, dynamic and realistic characters with layers and layers to discover and love. 

If you’re looking for a road trip book who offers reflections on life and how it can be both sad and happy at the same time, then you might want to give this one a try!

Thanks a lot for reading,

Reading the 3 Lowest Rated Books on My TBR #9

Hey readers! Today I’m back with a challenge featuring the three lowest books on my TBR. But firstly, let’s have a little wrap up for the three books I read for the challenge I set myself back in December.

I’m sorry to say this wasn’t a good batch, dear readers. 

I first read Y/N, which I was expecting to be an exploration of parasocial relationship and idol culture and in a way it was. But it is also a very quirky read as everyone says and in the end it did not really meet my taste.

The other two books I read where two YAs, Epically Earnest and Meet Cute Diary. Unfortunately they both bored me for different reasons and both ended up being two-star reads.

Okay, now that the wrap-up part is out of the way, we can talk about my next TBR!

Here are the books! As always, I have not taken into consideration the books with no rating or the ones which aren’t out yet, unless I do have an ARC of them that I can read.

This Blood that Binds Us is a romantasy that features vampires and it truly seems like the perfect read to get lost in, I’m very curious to read it and see if I like it enough to actually continue on with the story, since this is the first book in a series.

Then we have Scattered All Over the Earth, a science fiction book that deals with climate change in a world where Japan has been swallowed by the sea. It seems like such an interesting and hopefully eye-opening read, so I can’t wait to read it.

I’m so happy to have a contemporary romance with the friends-to-lovers trope on this list because I’m actually in the mood for it. Let’s see if I find a new go-to romance author by reading The Rom-Com Agenda!

So, these are the 3 books of this TBR. I’m definitely going to include them in my TBRs of the next few months and I really hope to enjoy them. I’ll let you know for sure!

That’s all for today, thanks a lot for reading!