Book Review: Song of Blood and Stone by L. Penelope (my first physical ARC review *squeals*)

 Hello everybody! Hows your Sunday going? I hope your weekend was filled with lots of reading (or in my case adding book compulsively to your TBR based strictly on how beautiful the cover is. I swear every time I see a new book that has a nice cover I’m like “ooh pretty... I must have it.”)

 Any who super excited to be reviewing my first physical ARC for y’all on this fine Sunday evening ;) I don’t know if you can tell but I am internally screaming because I am so excited about this you guys!! Yay my first physical ARC!! *jumps up and down- additional squealing*

Song of Blood and Stone

by L.Penelope

Rating: 3/5 stars

Published on: May 1st 2018

 Summary: A treacherous, thrilling, epic fantasy about an outcast drawn into a war between two powerful rulers. 

Orphaned and alone, Jasminda lives in a land where cold whispers of invasion and war linger on the wind. Jasminda herself is an outcast in her homeland of Elsira, where her gift of Earthsong is feared. When ruthless soldiers seek refuge in her isolated cabin, they bring with them a captive--an injured spy who threatens to steal her heart. 

Jack's mission behind enemy lines to prove that the Mantle between Elsira and Lagamiri is about to fall nearly cost him his life, but he is saved by the healing Song of a mysterious young woman. Now he must do whatever it takes to save Elsira and it's people from the True Father and he needs Jasminda's Earthsong to do it. They escape their ruthless captors and together they embark on a perilous journey to save Elsira and to uncover the secrets of The Queen Who Sleeps. 

Thrust into a hostile society, Jasminda and Jack must rely on one another even as secrets jeopardize their bond. As an ancient evil gains power, Jasminda races to unlock a mystery that promises salvation. The fates of two nations hang in the balance as Jasminda and Jack must choose between love and duty to fulfill their destinies and end the war.   

A huge thanks to St.Martins Press for an advanced copy of this book!! 

This book was a cute little fantasy-action book that I very much enjoyed devouring. It was light enough that I wasn’t extremely stressed out (which was a WELCOME relief because the books I’ve been reading lately have been beyond stressful- I don’t know why authors insist on giving me heart attacks every time I turn a page. I will not tolerate the death of any of my favorite characters! The pain is just too much to bear *sighs dramatically*) Thankfully I did not have that problem with this book, in fact it was the perfect mix of being just interesting enough that I could not stop reading it!

 The world building was quite unique (I really enjoyed the dynamics of Jasminda struggling to be accepted by her homeland as well as the magic mixed in) I mean any books with fabulous magic in it is an automatic WIN in my book (hehe). I thought the idea of Earthsong was really unique and intriguing which I appreciated (I like my book with a little uniqueness sprinkled in there) but the part for me that really stole the show for this book had to be...

 Jasminda and Jack!!! I mean I am a complete and utter lush for any type of romance or relationship in books (especially in YA I am trash for my favorite fictional couples ;) and there was definitely some insta-love going on when it came to these too...

 I mean they had some of my favorite character bonding scenes where one of them is injured and the other has to take care of them (*swoon*) I am such a sucker for those types of things!! Plus Jack was cute and sweet, and a tad smirky at times (not that I’m complaining I love a guy thats got a good smirk) The two of them were so light and enjoyable to read and I loved how their journeys where entwined and how they relied on one another to survive (nothing bonds two people together faster than a near death experience)

However a part of me thought the romance moved a little too quickly... like both Jasminda (love that name) and Jack just fell in love *snaps fingers* and it was perfect and other worldly and all that, but a part of me just could. Not. Connect. with how quickly it all happened. Jack (the cutie that he is) was a little too quick to be witty at parts and a little too kind in other parts?!? I would have preferred him to have a little more flaws just to give his character an extra layer of depth, but other than that it was an enjoyable romance to read!

Overall this book was a really fun read that was just different enough to keep me entertained! I highly recommend to those needing a good entertaining book filled with adventure and unique character traits (ooh plus totally fun magicalness!!)

What about you? Have you read Song of Blood and Stone? If so what did you think? If not have you read any adventure filled YA books lately? What about magic filled? Let me know in the comments below!

-BubblyBooks

Relationshipper Tag (aka an excuse to rant and rave about all the couples you love/hate in books!)

(This tag was originally created on Bubbly Books :)

 Sooo I am currently super swept into reading the TOG series rn (you may already know this because I cannot stop SCREAMING about how amazing it is!! Ugh the ending in Queen of Shadows and the beginning of Empire of Storms... excuse me while my heart recovers)

 Anyways... this is partially the reason why I have not been posting that much lately (kind of got sucked down the reading rabbit hole and all) but thinking about all the relationships I am currently hard core hanging on to every word right know in TOG got me thinking about all the other fictional relationships that have both mended my heart and shredded it through a meat shredder with its brutal loveliness and alas came the idea for this tag!!

Rules:

• Answer the eleven questions provided by the blogger who tagged you
• Come up with eleven new questions of your own!
• Tag 5 new bloggers!
• Mention the blogger who tagged you and have fun!!

Questions: 

1) If you could date a fictional character who would it be and why?

2) If you were to go on a date with said fictional character where would you go and what would you do?

3) A favorite “ship”/ couple you’ve read?

4) A “ship”/couple you hated?

5) A book that had the classic Hate to Love trope?

6) A book that had insta love?

7) A book with a light cutesie relationship? (to all the boys Ive loved before and the royals)
8) A book with a relationship that made you cry? (kaz and inej/ nina and matthais)
9) A book without romance (or with very little)?
10) If you could delete one “ship” from a book who would it be and why?
11) A new couple you read that you ship?  (cardan and j- cruel prince)

My Answers: 

1) If you could date a fictional character who would it be and why?

 

 Ugh this is such a hard question why did I do this to myself!! I think I would have to say either Kaidan from Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins (he’s just so sexy and ugh I am such a sucker for guys like him) and Thorne from Cress (the third Lunar Chronicles book) because he is just super cute and funny and cocky and basically everything I love in a fictional character *heart eyes*

2) If you were to go on a date with said fictional character where would you go and what would you do?

 Hmmm a date with Kai would probably be to a rock concert because he’s a drummer followed by dinner at some off the beaten path diner with the best milkshakes and burgers. However with Thorne it would probably have to be something way more elaborate and extra because our dear thorne does not do anything on a small scale... perhaps a picnic on the top of the eiffel tower or a moonlight ride in a boat along the streets of Italy (I would expect nothing less from snarky little Thorne)

3) A favorite “ship”/ couple you’ve read?

Okay so all time favorite will forever be Feyre and Rhysand from A court of mist and Fury by SJM...

but some runner ups would have to include Kell and Lila from A darker shade of magic, Rowan and Aelin from Throne of Glass, and Kestrel and Arin from The Winners Curse series all of which are beautiful and amazing... just nothing will ever surpass my original love of Feyre and Rhys *sighs*

4) A “ship”/couple you hated?

 

Adam and Blue from The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (we all knew she was just going to end up with Gansey like hello??) and Celeana and Dorian from Throne of Glass (zero passion. zero spark. an utter waste of my time and emotions hating them)

5) A book that had the classic Hate to Love trope?

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout! Omg their bickering is SO funny and I am complete and utter tray for this trope so I will without fail always fall for the most evil, rude, and sexy character in the book (guilty as charged) if you have not read this highly recommend for the bickering alone.

6) A book that had insta love?

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. Have mentioned this book before and you all know that my feelings for this book can be summed up in one word: meh. but.. there is defiantly insta love between Meghan and Prince Ash so theres that.

7) A book with a light cutesie relationship?

I must say both To all the boys I’ve loved before by Jenny Han and The Royals by Rachel Hawkins both nailed the light cutesie relationships and I LOVED both sooo much (they made my heart happy)

8) A book with a relationship that made you cry?

 

So sad. So tragic. I don’t know if I will ever get over what happened in the second book of this series!! But there is also tears of joy when it comes to Kaz and Inej because they are just so beautiful and perfect it hurts!

9) A book without romance (or with very little)?

 The Dark Days Club!! This book was actually a delight and I totally forgot how amazing it was until I saw it on my Good Reads self! The romance if rather mild (barely even there just a light little feather thrown in to keep things interesting) probably because its historical fictionally and too scandalous and the whole enchilada, however if you have not picked this book up I highly recommend. Quite a good mix of supernatural meets historicalness and all that *thumbs up*

10) If you could delete one “ship” from a book who would it be and why?

 

 The Crowns Game as well as a thousand pieces of you by Claudia Grey (hated Paul and could not even finish this book it was such a disappointment ugh) as for the crowns game I just thought the romance was fine if not a bit unnecessary (it was a tad boring really needed some more spice) and while I enjoyed the first book the second book fell flat for me and I couldn’t bring myself to finish it either (zero spice here)

11) A new couple you read that you ship?

CARDAN AND JUDE PEOPLE. CARDAN AND JUDE.

I tag: 

• Aimee @AimmeAlways 
• Mandy @Book Princess reviews
• Loretta @Laughing Listener 
• Sophie @ Blame Chocolate  
• Darque Dreamer  

(those tagged only if you want to! however I would love to read you answers!)

What about y’all? Any relationships you cannot live without or resist rereading? Any relationships you hate and wish people would just stop talking about? Let me know in the comments below!

-BubblyBooks

June Wrap Up

Okay..... so how is it July already? Like when did this even happen?!? I mean I saw other bloggers posting their june recaps and I was like, oh their way on top of it June doesn’t end for another few days and then BAM June ends and I look to see that its July 1st?!? (excuse me while I go freak out a bit)

 This officially means that I only have a little over a month before school starts up again and I don’t know how I feel about that. I mean there is less than 60 days standing between me and college *breathes in and out* and than even less reading time because I’m going to have to be out doing social things?!? What even is my life becoming?!?!

Anyways back to books....

 This month was a fairly successful reading month!! Heck ya! I needed some good books in my life and low and behold by some magical book karma they were able to find me...

Books I read this month:

     

     

• Vicious by LJ Shen (review here)- I think LJ Shen may be one of my new fav authors?!?
• Heir of Fire by SJM (YAAS QUEEN also ROWAN PPL)
• Royals by Rachel Hawkins (review here)
• Midnight Blue by LJ Shen

Books I plan to read in July:

    

       

• I Do Not Trust You by Laura J Burns (got an ARC of this via Netgalley and I am SO excited!!)
• Queen of Shadows by SJM (currently reading this and LOVING it best one so far)
• Caraval by Stephanie Garber- my sister read this after I recommend it to her and said it was amazing but alas I still have not read it so ya I should do that 
• The Gentleman Guide to Vice and Virtue (this sounds SO up my alley and I need to read it asap)
• White Cat by Holly Black- this is literally everything I love wrapped into one and Holly black is genius so I’m destined to love this (I already have it on hold at the library)

On the Blog:

• 10 Beach reads to get you excited for summer
• Review: Vicious by LJ Shen
• The Sunshine Blogger Award
• WWW Wednesday
• Blog Tour: A Cowboys Sweet heart by Crista McHugh (my first ever blog tour!! Yay!!)
• Disscussion post: why does YA not write Rom-Coms anymore?
• Book Review: Royals by rachel hawkins

I’m actually really proud of how much I was able to post this month usually it is a lot shorter list and looks a lot more depressing and all but this month I actually had time?!? What alternate universe am I living in here?!? I was even able to squeeze not one but TWO reviews as well as a discussion post *high fives self*

Other News:

• I’m finally back into the blogging routine after a two month little break and it feels AMAZING and I am so glad to be back!!
• I won TWO book giveaways this month and I am SO excited because they are both ARC’s and both sound amazing and I cannot wait to review them here!
• 
• Also I am currently binge watching Vampire Diaries and well as the Bachelorette (team Blake), and The Originals so thats probably why my reading wasn’t through the roof this month...
• 
• Also I’m thinking about doing a weekly post discussing new TV shows and movies what do you all think about that? Please share your thoughts!!
• Its SUMMER which means a whole lot a hot weather and reading
• ( this is literally me its just too darn hot to leave the house people) 
• Also I have been sucked down the rabbit hole that is SJM Throne of glass series and don’t think I left my couch at all yesterday thats how invested I was (except for snack breaks because SNACKS)

So whats summer been like for you guys? Done any traveling? Read any good books while your at it? Let me know in the comments below!!

-BubblyBooks

 

Book Review: Royals by Rachel Hawkins

Royals 

by Rachel Hawkins

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary:

Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond. 

While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.






This book surprised me in the most fabulous of ways!! First off this book was SO unbelievably fun I dont think I could stop laughing out loud at how outrageously funny this book was! It quite literally saved me from a potential book slump and for that reason alone this book deserves 5 stars!!

 I mean Daisy was the most hilarious relatable character I had read about in a long while. She was just so quick and witty and honestly I kind of stopped and thought... wait is this me? because I would totally say something that snarky?!? (well maybe not quite as often as her... but I would definitely be thinking it) 

“He just showed up like a posh vampire I accidentally invited in, then couldn't make leave.”

When I first started this book I thought it would be a cute light read but it really was so much more entertaining than all that! I felt like I was watching an episode of The Royals on E! it was so plot twisty and drama packed! 

I loved how the royal family was not what you expected it to be (especially the dashing prince Sebastian), ugh and the KILTS omg every two seconds daisy would be drenched in plaid and Miles would be in kilt as well and tons of other guys (yet he still managed to look good? like you know he’s cute when he can pull off a kilt) and I just thought it  was SO much fun!! 

 Miles was a cutie I would like to take home and cuddle up on the couch with! The way he put air fresheners in his shoes was so adorably quirky I couldn’t help but be intrigued... also I love-hate how reluctant both Daisy and Miles are towards their feelings for one another! It was infuriating yet made their cute moments sooo much more satisfying!  

 The sister relationship was also very spot on- and by that I mean the right amount of infuriating mixed with unconditional love. There were times when I wanted to punch Ellie for her ignorance and other times where I thought to myself, well they wouldn’t be sisters if there wasn’t tension... actually the whole family is quite lovable and I love how Daisy gets all her jokes from her Dad the two of them are like two peas in a pod and I love them! 

“...all that matters is the truth as you know it, and as the ones who love you know it.” 

 There wasn’t a dull moment and I quite literally devoured this book in all of two days and I’m not even sorry! This is the type of book I was missing lately in my mix of fabulous YA reads and I am SO happy I took a chance on it and decided to read it regardless of the ARCS calling my name. If you have not read this book I HIGHLY recommend you do especially if you need some cheering up because it will just make you smile uncontrollably!

Thoughts? Adding this to your TBR or no? Already read it? Gush about it with me in the comments below!

-BubblyBooks 

Discussion Post: Why does YA not write Rom-coms anymore?

So here I was sitting on the couch scrolling through GoodReads like any good bookworm knows and a thought occurred to me that for some reason was quite shocking...

 There are like no rom-coms in YA anymore?!?!

 As you can imagine this came as quite a shock to me being the obsessive romance reader I am and I came to wonder why don’t we have as many light romance reads anymore?


It seems like just yesterday all that YA consisted of was Sarah Dessen and the Pretty Little Liars series (both of which I read... gave up on PLL on book 6 or something like that) now every time I see a new YA book out for release its either lacks romance all together or is a very intense romance that literally sucks the soul out of you (not that I don’t love those but sometimes my little heart needs a break)

Any who I have a few questions on the matter...

Why are female characters never girlie anymore?

 I get it in some books girls need to kick ass and I LOVE when girls can kick some serious butt and be amazing and all that but how come girls can’t kick butt and still care about girly things like clothes, or sparkly unicorns? Also how come in order to be tuff girls in books- such as YA fantasy- can’t ever be sensitive or cry and instead shove it all deep down inside?!? You can still be tuff and be vulnerable!!! In fact I think that makes a character more complete because there’re just more real when they leave it all out there!


What happened to all the fluffy little gumdrops of books that used to make me laugh and smile in delight? Because lately its as if they all disappeared!?!

 It seems to me that all the books I have picked up that are YA seem to be revolving around some all or nothing world saving, earth shattering plot line where the fate of everything quite literally rests upon a seventeen year old girl.... and I’m over here trying to figure out how to not burn toast or dye of heat stroke? Like nope can’t relate. Don’t get me wrong I can see the appeal of this plot. Their problems are not my problems and the need to escape into a fabulous magical world and all but sometimes I just want to laugh at something so utterly hilarious because it literally could be my life, and I’m just not finding that in a lot of todays YA.


Are people truly tired of this genre? because I could definitely use some more of it...

 It saddens me to think that todays audience might not appreciate or even want a Rom-com anymore... because I believe it is an essential part of the YA reading experience! After you read an intense Fantasy or contemporary and you just want a book that makes you feel good thats when you reach for the fluffy, completely unrealistic romantic comedy at the bottom of your pile of books!! Regardless of what some people may deem as unnecessary in todays Young Adult I believe there is still an audience for these books and that we need more of them!



Examples of books that I think portray a beautifully nice modern YA rom-com:

    

Not that I don’t LOVE some of the YA currently out there (believe me there is some AMAZING stuff out there that I will literally scream at you to read- I’m looking at you Cruel Prince) for example:

(if your looking for some good non rom-com examples)

        

Rom-com like reads coming out this year that I am super psyched for: 

Anyways what are your guys thoughts? Do you think YA should have more rom-coms or are you burnt out on the subject? Let me know in the comments below I’m curious to see what you guys think!

-BubblyBooks 

Blog Tour A Cowboys SweetHeart by Crista McHugh: ARC Review/Giveaway

 A COWBOY'S SWEETHEART (Rodeo Academy #1)

 By: Crista McHugh

Published on: June 25, 2018

Rating: 4/5 stars

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD 

Summary: Pampered New York Socialite and dressage rider, Kensington Pope, has been exiled by her jet-setting parents to her aunt’s Rodeo Academy in Wyoming. She wants nothing to do with the rough and tumble students there, especially one particularly handsome cowboy, Javier. But she won’t be there for long. She has a plan in place to break out after her next international competition.

Javier Cruz takes one look at the spoiled city girl and instantly dismisses her. The school of tough knocks has already educated him on what the important things in life are, and he has bigger things on his plate. He’s counting down the days until his eighteenth birthday when he can pull his younger siblings from the foster care program and reunite his family. But as he gets to know Kensi, he sees a kindred spirit and discovers there’s more to her than meets the eye. 

Kensi begins to question her desire to flee the ranch as her relationship to Javier deepens and she learns the importance of family. But when he discovers her escape plan, will he be able to trust her again? And when tragedy comes to the ranch, will Kensi be able to step up and take her place in the family?

My Review:

A huge thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing for an advanced copy of this book!

This book was a whole lot of fun! I personally have always loved a good southern gentleman mixed in with my YA (hello has anyone else seen The Hannah Montana Movie? Because that cowboy was fine) and this book definitely did not disappoint.  I loved the classic trope of rich city girl meets struggling (but admittedly handsome) cowboy to sweep her off her feet and make her fall in love with the country. 

 Kensington was super relatable and snarky and I completely agree with her reluctance to live in the middle of nowhere and her sassy comments were quite literally my exact thoughts(even if they were a bit extreme at some times) also loved the classic family situation where her aunt and uncle were not crazy about letting her in at first but then they eventually warmed up to one another.

 Also on a different note the romance was totally cute and heartwarming *swoon* and damn where can I find myself a cowboy? 

Definitely recommend this book to those in need of a good light read with a really enjoyable romance and super light plot (perfect beach read!) lovers of the longest ride will really enjoy this!! 

About the Author:

Crista McHugh is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING author of fantasy and romance with heroines who are smart, sexy, and anything but ordinary. She also writes fantasy with a little less kissing and bit more action (outside the bedroom) as C. A. McHugh.

Growing up in small town Alabama, Crista relied on story-telling as a natural way for her to pass the time and keep her two younger sisters entertained.

She currently lives in the Tesla-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician on the occassional weekend.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she’s had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And she’s also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days)

Find Crista online at:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

Giveaway

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a Kindle Fire 7, US Only.

1 winner will win a $20 Amazon GC, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2770/?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/25/2018- Bubbly Books- Review

6/25/2018- Sophie Reads YA- Review

6/26/2018- Never Too Many To Read- Guest Post

6/26/2018- Cindy's Love of Books- Review

6/27/2018- Here's to Happy Endings- Excerpt

6/27/2018- StoreyBook Reviews- Spotlight

6/28/2018- A Gingerly Review- Excerpt

6/28/2018- BookHounds YA- Interview

6/29/2018- Demi Reads- Review

6/29/2018- The Cozy Reading Corner- Excerpt

Week Two:

7/2/2018- Books & Other Pursuits- Review

7/2/2018- The Phantom Paragrapher- Review

7/3/2018- Books a Plenty Book Reviews- Spotlight

7/3/2018- Parajunkee- Excerpt

7/4/2018- books are love- Review

7/4/2018- underneath the covers- Excerpt

7/5/2018- Two Chicks on Books- Interview

7/6/2018- The Reading Life- Spotlight

7/6/2018- Jaime's World- Spotlight

What about you guys? Read any good cowboy books? Did this one make your TBR or no? Let me know in the comments below!!