Category: A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Most Anticipated Book Releases- Sept’21

School is back in session and Fall is just around the corner. Boy, time flies when you’re reading book after book! It looks like September will be no different as there are a bunch of great releases coming out. Here are the books I am most anticipating!

#5 BOOK RELEASE

I liked the idea of the Caraval series more than I actually liked the actual stories, but I will admit to loving the lyrical language this author writes. It’s for this reason that I’m looking forward to reading a book about happy endings, or is it a book about tragedies. Hmmm, I guess I’ll have to see which direction this author takes our characters!

Synopsis:

For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings…until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.

Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.

But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game — and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy…

Click this link to purchase!* Once Upon a Broken Heart (Once Upon a Broken Heart, 1)

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase any of the books on this post through an attached link I’ll receive a small stipend.

#4 BOOK RELEASE

Ah, second chance love romances. You either love them or you hate them! I’m pretty ambivalent but when you throw a witchy theme in the pot I’m pretty sure it’s the brew that rings true! 🙂 Seriously, this book does sound pretty cute. Is it a coincidence that two witch themed romances are coming out in the same month? I think not!

Synopsis:

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.

Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Ex Hex: A Novel

#3 BOOK RELEASE

I haven’t been reading quite as much YA as I have in the past but this synopsis made me curious. It was just vague enough to peak my interest. I did also really enjoy this author’s last novel More Than Maybe, which put her on my radar.

Synopsis:

Eighteen-year-old Meg Hennessey just found out her entire childhood was a lie. So instead of taking a gap year before college to find herself, she ends up traveling north to meet what’s left of the family she never knew existed – all while questioning the ideals she grew up with.

While there, she meets Micah Allen, a former pastor’s kid whose dad ended up in prison, leaving Micah with his own complicated relationship with faith. The clock is ticking on his probation hearing and Micah, now 19, feels the pressure to forgive – even when he can’t possibly forget.

As Meg and Micah grow closer, they are confronted with the heavy flutterings of first love and all the complications it brings. Together, they must navigate the sometimes-painful process of cutting ties with childhood beliefs as they build toward something truer and straight from the heart.

Click this link to purchase!* Never Saw You Coming: A Novel

#2 BOOK RELEASE

I’ll admit, this wasn’t even on my radar until I was looking through the titles and the cover caught my eye. The synopsis is pretty adorable though so I need to give this book a look!

Synopsis:

When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman’s carefully calculated theories on love into chaos.

As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn’t believe in lasting romantic relationships–but her best friend does, and that’s what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor–and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford’s reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. But when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive’s career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding…six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope.

Click this link to purchase!* The Love Hypothesis

MOST ANTICIPATED SEPT’22 BOOK RELEASE

I have not missed reading one of Evie Dunmore’s books in this series yet. Portrait of a Scotsman is the best one yet! I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy and I loved the whole evolution of their story. What makes this authors books unique is that not only does she write great characters but you also really get a lesson on what is happening with the different levels of society of this era. This is set during the English Suffrage Movement and is a fantastic read.

Synopsis:

Going toe-to-toe with a brooding Scotsman is rather bold for a respectable suffragist, but when he happens to be one’s unexpected husband, what else is an unwilling bride to do?

London banking heiress Hattie Greenfield wanted just three things in life:

1. Acclaim as an artist.
2. A noble cause.
3. Marriage to a young lord who puts the gentle in gentleman.

Why then does this Oxford scholar find herself at the altar with the darkly attractive financier Lucian Blackstone, whose murky past and ruthless business practices strike fear in the hearts of Britain’s peerage? Trust Hattie to take an invigorating little adventure too far. Now she’s stuck with a churlish Scot who just might be the end of her ambitions….

When the daughter of his business rival all but falls into his lap, Lucian sees opportunity. As a self-made man, he has vast wealth but holds little power, and Hattie might be the key to finally setting long-harbored political plans in motion. Driven by an old desire for revenge, he has no room for his new wife’s apprehensions or romantic notions, bewitching as he finds her.

But a sudden journey to Scotland paints everything in a different light. Hattie slowly sees the real Lucian and realizes she could win everything–as long as she is prepared to lose her heart.

Click this link to purchase!* Portrait of a Scotsman (A League of Extraordinary Women)

These were my Top 5 and will by no means match your own. However, if you like the genre’s I read you may want to pick up one or two of these books. If I missed something that you want to shout to the world about, please say it in the comments below. I’d love to hear what books you can’t wait to read!

Deb

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This Chick Read: Deep (Stage Dive #4) by Kylie Scott

Ben and LIzzy have a secret friendship. They text and call each other but never take it any further despite their attraction to each other. Why? Well, Ben is the bass player for the world famous band Stage Dive, and Lizzy is his best friend and bandmates new sister in law. Who has been declared hands off, except for that one night…. When Lizzy finds herself pregnant their secret friendship is blown wide open.

Lizzy has had a crush on Ben since she was 19, when her sister started hanging out with Mal from Stage Dive. She would admit that she semi stalked him into being her text buddy and kind of friend. After she ends up pregnant Ben tries to do the right thing except he doesn’t know how. She goes on tour with them but isn’t “together” with Ben and his life hasn’t changed all that much. Except he doesn’t have any interest in one night stands anymore.

LIzzy and Ben were always just side notes to the other members of the band and their girlfriends and I’ll admit that this book felt like the author kind of kept that side note thing going. It took them too long to commit to their feelings for each other. Lizzy feels betrayed and Ben needs a friend of his to show him how he’s failed at being there for her before he figures out he needs to change his ways. It was slightly frustrating. I didn’t hate reading this novel because Kylie Scott is way too talented to leave me hanging out there too long but these two weren’t my favorite pairing of the series. The other band mates and their ladies were just too charismatic. Ben and Lizzy felt like it tried to hard to get that same reaction from the reader.

I’m kind of sad that this was the last book in the Stage Dive series and it ended on somewhat of a bummer note for me. I think I’m going to go back an re-read the other novels so that I remember how much I loved those characters. That may also give me a little more insight into Ben and LIzzy too. Although my impression is that they didn’t change all that much from their previous iterations. ❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Deep (Stage Dive Series Book 4)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: Battle Royal by Lucy Parker

Sylvie Fairchild and Dominic De Vere first met on a television cooking competition. No they weren’t both competing, Sylvie was, but Dominic was one of the judges. They loathed each other at first sight. When Sylvie opens up her bakery right across the street from Dominic’s they can’t help but be competitive, each striving to win the next big account. When Sylvie gets cast as one of the judges on the same cooking show where she met Dominic its the first time she see’s more than a few minutes of him. When the palace announces a royal engagement they end up working together to unravel a mystery. The more time Sylvie and Dominic spend together they see another surprising side to the person he/she thought they knew.

Full disclosure! I am a HUGE fan of both Lucy Parker and the British Baking Championship which their show is based off of, so I knew going in that I was going to either hate this novel or LOVE it. Lucy Parker’s writing chops wins again and I ended up falling for both of these characters. Battle Royal was “brilliant” as the British say, but it was also a ton of fun.

Sylvie Fairchild is all glitter, sparkles, and colors, and Dominic is staid, neutral, and elegant. Who would have thought that the two of them would strike a match? When they start researching a mystery about the royal house, they get glimpses of something in the other that strikes a chord in what they’ve missed through their entire lives. I really liked these two as a couple and even though they had a long journey it was totally worth the happy ending.

This novel had all of the fun themes of a fast paced story. A competition, evil characters, a historical mystery, and the behind the scenes drama of a baking show. A lot of characters had emotional journeys, not just our two main protagonists, and I really got involved in every sub plot. This novel was so much fun.

If you haven’t read Lucy Parker’s London Celebrities series, please check them out. I think I read each one a few times over the last year because they made me feel good when I needed that jolt of happiness. Battle Royal is my newest addiction and you can bet I’ll be getting a copy in every format.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this ARC through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase!* Battle Royal: A Novel

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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It’s Monday, what are you reading? (8/16/21)

This past week saw my first foray back into an office environment. Although my company has opted for a hybrid setting, two days in the office and one day at home. It was good to see everyone face to face, although really we only see people’s eyes nowadays since we’re all masked up in person, but that camaraderie is hard to replace over a Zoom call. LOL. I don’t know about you, but I must be one of the few who enjoy working at home more than I do in the office. I relish the quiet and being able to make a business call without having 20 people listen in on my phone conversation. What does this have to do with what I read this week? Well, I used my audiobook to cut out the conversation around me and finished up a fun science fiction novel. Let’s get to discussing books!

JUST FINISHED

I previously read this novel but listening to it was a lot of fun too. It’s very fast-paced and our main character is troubled but has a great heart. She grew a lot in this novel, but having read the series I know that her future also has a lot of person growth which I love. There is also a romance component to this series, which adds some sizzle, but honestly the action scenes were what I loved about these novels the most. Check it out if you haven’t read it, this series is a blast!

JUST STARTED

This novel is falls into the romantic suspense genre, which was a perfect sequé from the action-packed fantasy novel I had just finished. I’m about 40% into it and the story starts out fast which our heroine under fire. I have recently discovered Adriana Anders with the first novel in this series and really enjoy her quick and easy style of writing! This is book two so look up the first “Whiteout” if you want to jump into the series. It’s good!

You can see I’m all about the action this week! What genre of book has caught your attention this week? Is it good? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Happy Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Exposed (VIP #4) by Kristen Callihan

Brenna is out with a girlfriend having a drink and makes a confession. What she doesn’t realizes is that someone overheard her, her frenemy Rye, the bass player in the band she manages public relations. Rye approaches her and offers himself as that person who will be available for sex, comfort, and friendship. She is embarrassed and floored. After a little dithering, yes, she takes him up on his offer. This new relationship gives Rye and Brenna the chance to explore why they react to each other so strongly and that those feelings weren’t actually based on hate.

Kristen Callihan writes colorful and flawed characters. I love her novels and look forward to every release. Unfortunately Brenna and Rye, although flawed, don’t have a lot of depth and felt very two dimensional. I think part of the reason is because their union was just based on sex. She needed her itch scratched and he was doing the scratching. Their conflict was built on why they weren’t friendly with each other and well, the reason just wasn’t that interesting.

I can’t help but compare why one novel I can’t relate with and other novels I don’t have any trouble loving. It’s not the sex scenes, although this novel has a ton of them because that’s what the premise is based on so there were certainly a lot of them. I am drawn to characters who have a lot of back story which create depth. I didn’t really feel like that much time was spent on Rye and Brenna relating to each other. There is a miscommunication early on and then they just snipe at each other. Pretty soon, that’s just who they are, until wham, they are sleeping together and then in love. It’s just not enough for me this time. I hate that because I love this author!

Have you read the VIP series? If not, you really should go back and read them. Even though this was not my favorite and I really hate to end the series on a bad note, the other three are very good! Exposed, while not the best book in the world is definitely not the worst book I’ve read either and it did do one thing. It reminded me how much I love the series and want to read them again. ❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* Exposed (VIP Book 4)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: Wait for It by Jenn McKinlay

When Annabelle Martin takes her friend up on a job offer in her advertising agency in Arizona she leaves cold and dreary Boston for what she hopes will be the kickstart she needs. Moving into the guest house of recluse Nick Daire, Annabelle decides to push all his buttons and break all of his rules. She imagines him to be an elderly curmudgeon and is shocked to discover he’s young, hot, and in a wheelchair. Always a fixer she jumps in to change his world view and finds herself falling in love as well.

This had all of the plot points I love in a novel. Enemies to lovers, a feud with a co-worker, and a heroine who always comes out on top, so why didn’t I like this one more than I did? There was certainly a lot going on with the plot but in this case that probably helped move things along and kept me from getting bored. I just really didn’t feel the love between Annabelle and Nick. Yes, they were both attractive and attracted to each other, but there was just something missing for me and I can’t put my finger on it.

Let me tell you a bit about the characters. Annabelle is a graphic designer who has all the skills. Landing a job as Creative Director for her friends agency, she has to reign in her “always late” tendencies and start being a boss. When she finds that one co-worker who resents her getting the job she doesn’t fall apart or get mad, instead she quietly observes, which is good! That guy is truly rather dreadful and is an obvious villain in this novel. This plot point does allow us to see a different side of Annabelle. Not the sexy neighbor but the take charge boss who isn’t afraid of a little conflict. Annabelle shows that take charge attitude in going after her handsome neighbor as well, which is a smart move because he was never going to go there with his bad attitude. I actually thought her character was fun and bright. A great heroine in what should be a fun romance.

Nick is going through some health issues and has taken a hit to his self confidence. Having to rely on a wheelchair because he’s afraid his leg won’t hold him certainly doesn’t keep him from having sexy times with his new neighbor, but boy did he start out a grouch. As the author let’s us get to know Nick a bit we get a back story that has some rather unsavory things in it. Prior to his bad health he wasn’t a very nice guy. Without going into all of the details, I’ll just say that despite him showing remorse for his actions he doesn’t really do anything to contradict what we’ve learned. His long lost sister shows up and he doesn’t react well. The only good thing about this guy is how Annabelle makes him feel and his flashbacks to his love for his sister. OK, I think I just figured out why I didn’t connect with the book. I didn’t really buy into Annabelle’s feelings for Nick. He had his redeeming moment in the novel but it wasn’t enough for me to shelve all of his bad traits.

Jenn McKinlay is a wonderful writer and I’ve read many of her books that I have enjoyed before. This one just didn’t connect with me. It may be that it’s the perfect book for you though so please take my opinion with a grain of salt and if this sounds like your kind of novel, please pick it up and read it. I, however, can only give it a 3.0 rating.

❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalleyand the publisher for my honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Wait For It

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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It’s Monday, what are you reading? (8/9/21)

I was on vacation last week and had a chance to catch up on a lot of reading. I just finished an ARC for a book being released next month and also got in quite a bit of personal reading. It’s nice to choose my own books every once in a while! Today, I’m heading back to the office to start a hybrid office-home situation. Two days in the office is a great option but I’ll admit to being slightly nervous after spending a year and a half working from home. Wish me luck!

JUST FINISHED

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Alexa Martin’s new book Mom Jeans and Other Mistakes. This one falls firmly into the Women’s Fiction genre and is about the friendship between two women. Guys, it was so good! I really like how Alexa Martin writes, her characters feel so fleshed out. I’ll be putting out a full review on this in the next few weeks.

JUST STARTED

This is a novella from the Elder Races series by Thea Harrison. Every once in awhile she puts out stories about the two characters that started the whole series, Pia and Drago. This novel is about their moving to an alternate universe. I just started it so can’t really tell you how I feel about it yet but they are usually light-hearted and fun.

I hope everyone has a great start to their week today! I’d love to hear if you are still working from home or are back at work. What book is waiting on your nightstand for you when you finish your work day?

Happy Monday!

Deb

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This Chick Read: Devil in Disguise (The Ravenals #7) by Lisa Kleypas

Lady Merritt Sterling, widower, is running her husband’s shipping business when she meets Keri MacRae, a Scottish whiskey distiller. Their chemistry is immediate and undeniable but a lady must be careful not to tempt society’s voracious gossips. Despite that threat Merritt invites Keir to her home for dinner, but he is attacked and injured. When his life is again threatened the next day she realizes that someone is out to kill him and with the help of the Duke of Lancaster (Sebastian from the Wallflower series) they shuffle off to the safety of his estate on the coast while an investigation is underway. Devil in Disguise revealed a new favorite heroine and hero in what is one of my favorite historical romance series by this author.

Merritt is a woman who “manages” the people around her. Right from the beginning Keir see’s that managing and declares her a “wee bully” and he is charmed by her kind of toughness and is riveted by her passion. These two were engaging, fun, and very romantic falling instantly in serious like. The only hiccup being their different places in society and the fact that someone is trying to kill Keir.

As this is book #7 we do get to welcome a few of our favorite past characters into this story, which I always welcome. Funny enough, I started my love affair with Lisa Kleypas’ earlier Ravenal novels and have just gotten into the Wallflower series. Merritt’s mother is one of those previous wallflowers and it’s fun to see those characters in a different light. I had not yet read the Duke’s (and his Evie) novel but now can’t wait to dig in!

If you like historical romances you will really enjoy Lisa Kleypas and her novels and Devil in Disguise does not disappoint! This can be read as a stand alone, but I think you’ll be curious about some of these other characters and will seek them out just as I have. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Devil in Disguise (Ravenels Book 7)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

* Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: When Falcons Fall (Sebastian St. Cyr #11) by C.S. Harris

Sebastian, Viscount Devlin, and his wife Hero are in an idyllic Shropshire village to pay homage to a dead friend when the the new magistrate of that same village asks for his help. A visiting young woman was found dead in a field and having heard of Sebastian’s investigations in London the magistrate wants to make sure they do well by her. As Sebastian and Hero look into the days leading up to Emma Chance’s death they discover that her murder is not the first. As with other St. Cyr novels there are also political implications at play as Lucien Bonaparte, the estranged brother of the famed General Napolean Bonaparte is in residence at a nearby hall. Does his presence have anything to do with Emma Chance’s death?

It’s been a little while since I listened to the previous Sebastian St. Cyr novel and had forgotten how the narrator, Davina Porter, gives life to each character in the story. She imbues them with life and personality and the listener is engrossed with the implications of each character and how they are tied to the plot. This novel is no different and I found myself listening to it when I probably should’ve been doing other things. These are not light hearted novels and the mystery’s are very intricate so I like to really pay attention to each detail so I don’t miss a thing.

The reason for Sebastian and Hero being in the village was to look up the family of Sebastian’s half brother Jamie, who died in the last novel because of his similarity in looks to Sebastion. In When Falcons Fall, we learn a little bit more about who may have fathered Sebastian, as well as meeting Jamie’s twin sister and his grandmother. These glimpses towards who Sebastian may really be tied to are few and far between but oh so interesting! I know as I get closer to the truth that our journey may soon be over.

It is hard to talk about the plot in these novels because each tidbit is a reveal towards the underlying stories and not just the mystery that plays out in this book itself. I will say that the Bonaparte connection was truly interesting and as with past books where we meet famous characters (Ben Franklin) the pages bring life to what they may have been like even if in this novel it’s based only in fiction and not fact.

If you haven’t read any of the novels in this series I’d recommend starting at the beginning. Yes, each mystery is a stand alone but there are so many plot points that tie to earlier novels. I think your experience will be enhanced by how much each character has grown through the series rather than what actually happens on these pages. This novel was enjoyable on it’s own but when you think of how you feel about these characters on the whole it makes the novel go from good to great. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* When Falcons Fall (Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery)

Copyright The Reading Chick 2021 All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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It’s Monday, what are you reading? (8/2/21)

I know this has happened to all of us and it’s fun when it does. I’ve discovered a fun new author that has a LOT of books already written and I’ve gotten sucked into a fantasy series that is on Kindle Unlimited and I’m jumping from one book to the next pretty quickly. If you don’t like fantasy novels, you may not like my post this week. I’ll jump right into it!

JUST FINISHED

This is book #3 in the Air Awakens series by Elise Kova, a new author to me but one I think I’m going to be reading a lot of in the future. Our heroine Vhalla, has fought to win the heart of her Prince, uses her powers for her country, and seems to be disappointed a lot by what happens around her. I love fantasy novels with a strong heroine and while Vhalla didn’t start that way, by book #3 she was a rock. If you’re looking for a fast series, this one if full of action and great characters.

JUST STARTED

Book #4 in the Air Awakens series and one I’ll be cracking open as soon as I stop writing this post. LOL. The perfect Sunday is one where you can lose yourself to some great characters and I MUST find out where Vhalla Yarl’s journey takes her.

What books are you journeying with this week? I’d love to hear about the books you’re reading in the comments.

Happy Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads