Tag: well met

October TBR and September Wrap Up

I can’t believe it’s actually October. We’re even halfway through the month. As much as I want 2020 to be over, wow is this second half going by quick.

Even though we’re halfway through the month, I wanted to share with you my TBR, and go over what I read in September and August!

[ Related: My Top 10 Book Releases of October 2020 ]

September Wrap Up

I got hit pretty hard with a reading slump in August, and it carried through September as well. Despite that, I did read some pretty good books. Here are all of the books I read last month:

read more for my thoughts on these books, and my october TBR!

Well Played by Jen DeLuca – A Ren Faire Romance (Well Met #2, ARC Review)

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for giving me an earc in exchange for an honest review!

Overall: 3.75/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot and Themes: 3/5
Awesomeness Factor: 2.5/5
Review in a Nutshell: If you’re looking for something quick and cute, Well Played might be the book for you.

// Content Warning: Mature Content, Catfishing //

Release Date: 9/22/2020
Publisher: Berkley
Page Count: 336
Premise:

Well Played is the sequel to Well Met, following Stacey, who decides after a night of too much wine to message her no-strings attached summer fling who has left for the year. While he’s traveling, they grow closer through emails and texts. But, when he, and the annual Ren Faire, comes back the next summer, she realizes the man she was messaging (and falling for) is not who she thought.

Keep reading for all of my thoughts on Well Played!

[ Related: My Top 10 September 2020 Book Releases! ]

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20 Most Anticipated Book Releases of 2020 (And 120+ More!) (Recommendation Nation)

20 Book Releases of 2020

I feel like every year, there are just more and more new releases that I’m dying to read.

2020 has some impressive books lined up, and I would love to talk about all of them, but that would take days. Instead, I’ve decided to highlight my 20 most anticipated 2020 releases, and throw in an extra 140 amazing releases separated in lists so that you can check all of them out on your own!

Speaking of separate lists- I tried to organize these… somewhat. There are 4 different sections of releases:
New Series– the book is the first in a soon-to-be series
Sequels & Prequels– the book is a continuation of a series that has at least one book in it already
Standalones– the book has little to no affiliation with a series and can be read alone
The Untitled Section– can include any of those types of books above, but all of these books don’t have titles. I don’t know why I felt that needed a category, but I wanted to make one.

[ Related: 19 Best Debut Novels of 2019 (Recommendation Nation) ]

New Series

All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace

Release Date: 2/4/2020
Series: All The Stars and Teeth #1
Genre: YA Fantasy (Pirates)
Publisher: Imprint
Page Count: 384
When Princess Amora’s demonstration to prove her mastery of soul magic goes awry, she strikes a deal with a pirate, Bastian. In return for helping her prove she is fit for the throne, she must help him reclaim the magic that was stolen from him. I’ve been so excited for this book for years now, and I can’t wait to finally read it! Also, it comes out on my birthday, so I can tell this year is gonna be a good one.

The Queen’s Assassin by Melissa de la Cruz

Release Date: 2/4/2020
Series: Queen’s Secret #1
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons
Page Count: 384
Caledon is the Queen’s only assassin, and the kingdom’s deadliest weapon. Shadow dreams of becoming an assassin like him, training to join the Guild, while also learning to control her magic that is forbidden in the kingdom. When an attack brings the two of them together, they must team up to hunt down Renovia’s newest threat.

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: 3/3/2020
Series: The Last Hours #1
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Page Count: 544
Yet another new series in Cassandra Clare’s world of Shadowhunters. Chain of Gold takes place in Edwardian London, following the children of Will and Tessa Herondale- James and Lucie- as well as Cordelia Carstairs, whose name may sound familiar if you’ve read the The Dark Artifices series.

Read more for all of my most anticipated releases of 2020!! Trust me, you don’t want to miss them!

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19 Best Debut Novels of 2019 (Recommendation Nation)

I honestly can’t even think about the fact that 2019 is almost over. What happened?! I’m not ready for 2020. At all.

2019 was a mixed year, full of both bad things and good things, but one thing that significantly brightened it was all of the amazing debut novels that were released. Reading debut novels is one of my favorite ways to discover new authors, and 2019 brought in a lot of amazing new authors. So, naturally, I wanted to highlight some of my favorites.

Now, this will be split into 2 sections. The first will include all of my favorite debut novels I’ve read that were released this year, and the second section will include 2019 debuts that I really wish I got to read, but unfortunately haven’t had the chance (yet).

Also, if you’re looking for a list of my top non-debut 2019 releases, stay tuned!! I should have that out to you guys soon. To make sure you don’t miss it, click the button (or enter your email) in the sidebar to follow my blog!

[ Related: Top 18 Best 2018 Releases ]

* these are in no particular order *

Books I’m Dying To Read

19. There Will Come A Darkness by Katy Rose Pool

Release Date: 9/3/2019
Series: The Age of Darkness #1
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 496
Purchase: Indiebound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

A multi-POV fantasy following five main characters: an exiled prince, a killer, a leader, a gambler, and a dying girl. The Seven Prophets guided humanity, until they disappeared, leaving behind one final prophecy that speaks of an Age of Darkness, and a new Prophet who could save them all, or destroy everything.

If you’re looking for some new books to read, keep reading for all of my recommendations!

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Well Met by Jen DeLuca – Not Your Typical Fairytale Romance (ARC Review)

Caitsbooks Reviews: Well Met by Jen DeLuca - 5 Stars

*Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own. Quotes are from the ARC and are subject to change upon publication.*

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Well Met is just pure fun. This book is adorable, entertaining, and full of heart. 

“I didn’t choose the wench life. The wench life chose me.”

[ Related: 12 Summer Romances (6 YA + 6 Adult) ]

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// Content Warning: Insecurities around not being enough, depression//

“Birthday wishes were allowed to be lofty. I blew out the candles and let those wishes fly away with the wisps of smoke. The ones that were meant to be would come back.” 

Release Date: 9/3/2019
Publisher: Berkley
Page Count: 336
Premise:

When Emily’s sister got in an accident, she dropped everything to help her and her niece. So when said niece needs an adult to volunteer with her at the Renaissance Faire, she agrees. However, what she didn’t expect was to make an enemy of the man running it, Simon, so quick. He has no patience for Emily and is quick with a critique, but once they get on Faire grounds, he changes completely. He turns into a suave pirate and flirts constantly with Emily’s character, but is it real, or is it just the characters they have to play?

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