Review: Ember Eternal

 

Book 1

Fox is a thief with morals—she steals from those who can afford it and only a little at that. She has no choice. Fox and her three closest companions entered into indentured servitude to the Lady, a mysterious noble with widespread political power by questionable means, in order to pay off familial debts. While searching for an easy mark in town, Fox helps a royal bodyguard fend off a would-be assassin’s attack on a prince’s life.

But what started off as protecting the prince out of good conscience has now unwittingly embroiled this thief in a vast world of politics, high stakes, and romance. - summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really loved this slow burn fantasy novel. I loved the relationship between Fox and Wren. I loved Wren's moments with the guard - fully of snark and chemistry. I loved the library in the palace. This story unfolds slowly, but it's also very cozy. Plus, there was action and danger. And there was a mean girl. I'm curious about the magic and what it means for Fox.  I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes. It's the perfect book to curl up and read with a large mug of tea. 

Cover Thoughts: Cool

Source: My Library

Why I read this: I like Chloe Neill's writing. I've read several of her books.

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your romance/fantasy readers! Highly recommended. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Reads of 2025

 This week is ALL about our favorite reads of 2025. I have so many favorites.

I already shared my 5 star middle grade reads - here.

I have a LOT of five-star reads last year. In trying to keep this list shorter, I left off a bunch that I really did love. 

Here are my top Teen and Adult Reads:

Teen:

Adult:

Did you read any of these too? Did you enjoy them?

Top Ten Tuesday: 5 Star Reads

 This week's topic is modern classics. I'm changing the topic to be my last 5 star reads.

Have you read any of these? Did you also enjoy them?

Review: Falling Like Leaves

 

Ellis has a lot of expectations for her senior year, but moving from Manhattan to Bramble Falls, Connecticut is not one of them. Yet in the wake of her parents' separation, that's exactly where she and her mother are headed.

Bramble Falls might be charming, but it's also full of distractions. Like local barista Cooper Barnett, Ellis's one-time best friend—and first kiss—who has not only majorly glowed up but wants nothing to do with Ellis.

Then there's the Falling Leaves Festival, a month-long tourist attraction run by Ellis's aunt—celebrating everything autumn. The festival seems nice and all, but Ellis doesn't have time to be roped into her aunt's enthusiastic planning. Dragged to each event, she can't stop bumping into Cooper, the one person she's hoping to avoid.

But the longer she stays in Bramble Falls, the harder it is to pretend she's not falling for this town and the people in it. As her return to Manhattan gets pushed further and further out, Ellis is forced to confront exactly what she wants for her future—and what that means for her present. - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I adored this book. So many things to love:

Small town Charm

Second Chance Romance

Work/Life Balance

Great BFF (loved the dead body comments)

The cookies - it really made me want to bake

All the Fall Festival Activities

I didn't want this book to end; it's just magical.

Goodreads says it's the first in a series and I REALLY want that to be true.

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Why I Read This: First the cover and 2nd- Jessica Burkhart recommended it.

Source: My Library (but I did get an ARC for review the same week)

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your teen romance collection - especially since there aren't that many fall romance books.

Hand This To: Fans of PSL and Gilmore Girls 

I went to a Taylor Swift party at the local bookstore and bedazzled the leaves in the trees:

Cute right?

Picture Book Wednesday: Cookie Time

Kat and Ari love cookie time; they just put the cookies in the oven. Now they have to wait. Waiting is hard. So, they create a time machine. But it doesn't work the way they expect...

This book is adorable.

1. Who doesn't love cookie time?

2. Waiting is hard

3. Time travel will be cool

4. The ending is hilarious

Share this with everyone. 

* This book was sent for review

Review: Serge and Roscoe

 

Serge is retiring in three days. Roscoe is new to search and rescue, but he's in training. 

They are called up because of a forest fire. The two dogs are forced to be partners. Serge wants to get through the next few days. Roscoe wants to be the best and help everyone, even if that means breaking some rules.

Once they touch down on the fire, they learn a family is missing. Roscoe can smell the family and he heads towards them. He doesn't wait for Serge or their handler. Nothing goes as it's supposed to. Can they find the missing people and survive?

My Thoughts: This took me a minute to get into. While I really did love this book, there were two things that jarred me out of reading. First, the dogs talk to each other - like humans. Second, I didn't like the way Serge reprimanded Roscoe. But I really did enjoy the story. There was so much action and danger that I kept turning the pages because I needed to see what happened. This book did make me cry. * The ending was sweet. 

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My Library

Why I read it: I love dog stories and survival stories

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries

Hand it to: Kids who want action stories or animal stories. 

* Spoiler: Nothing bad happens to the dogs.

Picture Book Wednesday: I'm Sorry You Got Mad

This one took forever to get to the library. I've been waiting for this one.

And it did not disappoint.

Jack's teacher is making him write an apology. But he's having a hard time making it believable. He goes through several notes for Zoe before he writes a true apology. 

This is a cute story - even though Jack's struggling, it's great to watch his thought process. The ending is adorable. I love how Jack decided not to care what the other boys thought. I love how the notes made up the book's text. This is a clever story that showcases the change in emotions. 

A must have book for school and public libraries

Mini Review: The Favorites

 

I love books about figure skating, so ice dancing isn't a huge leap.

I'm not a fan of Wuthering Heights and toxic relationships - however, this was a really hard book to put down. The short chapters interspersed with interviews from a documentary was like catnip. I had to know what happened. 

Usually, I read a book because I connect to the characters - but this was one of those books where you just didn't like anyone. But that didn't bother me. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Best books of 2024

This week's topic is favorite books you've read this year. And I know it's supposed to be narrowed down to 10 books, but that's impossible. And it doesn't include picture books or board books. 

So here are my 5 star reads from this year. Buckle Up, it's a LONG list! 

I did Middle Grade yesterday, so check that out.

Holiday:

Graphic Novel:

Kids;

YA:

Adult:

 

Nonfiction:

 

 

Upcoming:

I read more thrillers than I thought this year....

Did you read any of these? Did you have a favorite from my list too?