Welcome to a new series on my blog where I talk about all books every Thursday. I read over 100 books last year and have many opinions. So, I decided to do monthly wrap-ups with little summaries and whether or not I recommend the books. Let's get it started with January. I read 17 books: 16 were Ebooks (Kindle Unlimited aka KU) and a physical copy. Before we get started each summary under the book will state if they're an Ebook or physical copies. Please take notes of lingo: FMC: Female Main Character, MMC: Male Main Character and tropes are themes of the plots.
I started the month reading the Campus Games series by Stephanie Alves. The series is an interconnected standalone. I liked the series as a whole, but if I had to pick only one book it would have to be, Spin The Bottle. The series follows 4 friends throughout college, however, I would say Would You Rather and Truth or Dare find their matches outside of college. Although, yes it does take place during college, if that makes sense. But nonetheless, let’s get into it.
Never Have I Ever | Stephanie Alves | 3 ⭐️
This is my least favorite book of the series because I felt they jumped straight into the plot instead of getting to know each other. I felt like the beginning of the story was rushed. The only reason why I continued the series was because I was interested in the friends and I wanted to know their stories. The tropes you'll find are 'Spicy’ Lessons and ‘Spicy’ Bucket List. Recommend?: No, I believe other books in the series are better. However, it’s not a “bad” book, I just preferred the other ones. I wouldn't even say a maybe either. You also don't have to read the first book to understand other books in the series. Read?: Ebook, KU.
Spin The Bottle | Stephanie Alves | 4.5 ⭐️
I absolutely loved this book. It’s about a basketball player and a plus-size model. They both have difficult backgrounds and/or pasts. This couple made my heart melt. I related to this book more than I would’ve liked to admit. It just hit a little close to home in some aspects. The trope is ‘friends with benefits.” Recommend?: Yes, just check for trigger warnings. Read?: Ebook, KU.
Would You Rather | Stephanie Alves | 4.25 ⭐️
I enjoyed this book due to their meet cute. The main trope is ‘fake dating’ between an uprising actress and a model. Recommend?: Yes. Read?: Ebook, KU.
Truth Or Dare | Stephanie Alves | 4 ⭐️
I had high hopes for this book because of the FMC. She was portrayed as a straightforward no bullshit type of person, but there were so many shy moments and miscommunication. They are childhood friends to lovers. So because of that, it felt off. Recommend?: Maybe. Read?: Eboook, KU.
Better Than The Movies | Lynn Painter | 3.75⭐️
The way this book was being hyped all over social media was crazy to me. Barnes & Nobles had this book for $5 when you buy something from their cafe. I will however say that I did enjoy the book to a certain extent. I found the FMC extremely annoying. I constantly kept rolling my eyes. The MMC was a sweetheart. BTTM was definitely a YA, (Young Adult) book. I can see high schoolers enjoying this book. Recommend?: Yes, if you’re into YA Books. Read?: Physical Copy.
Fight Vol 1 | Sloane St James | 3.75 ⭐️
Major trigger warnings! This book talks about cults and death. The FMC is a paramedic and he is a hotshot firefighter. I enjoyed the book, but personally, I felt like the miscommunication was what ruined it for me. There’s miscommunication where it makes sense or you can understand it, but I hate it when they simply walk away instead of facing the problem. This is the first book in the series out of 3 and I’m still trying to decide if I want to continue them. Recommend?: Maybe, if you don’t mind the miscommunication. Read?: Ebook, KU.
One word: Yearning! The FMC inherited a tulip farm and the MMC owns and runs his family business next door. They are childhood friends to lovers and there’s fake dating involved. Fake dating evolves into a marriage of convenience. The MMC is also a single father because he has custody of this niece. I loved the MMC and how he showed his feelings towards the FMC. Recommend?: Yes. Read?: Ebook, KU.
My Dark Romeo | Parker S Huntington x L.J Shen | 4 ⭐️
This is an arranged marriage even though it came upon as blackmail? The MMC is a billionaire and the FMC is an heiress, they have banter along with the MMC's friends. I enjoyed the book, however something was missing. I don't know how to explain it and in some parts of the story, they were both annoying. Recommend?: Yes. Read?: Ebook, KU.
A Proposal They Can’t Refuse | Natalie Cana | 3.5 ⭐️
This a childhood's friends to enemies to lovers? The grandfathers of the two main characters arrange the marriage so their businesses can be saved. The FMC was annoying af, there was miscommunication throughout the book, which is why I gave it a 3.5. It’s the first book in the series, but as of now, I’m not interested in continuing the series. As for the MMC, I actually enjoyed him. Recommend?: Maybe. Read?: Ebook, KU.
The Predator | Runyx | 3.25 ⭐️
I don’t know what I was expecting from this popular TikTok book, but it was not it. I thought the book was okay. At some point I was confused. I loved both characters though, but I’m still debating if I want to continue the series. Part of me wants to reread it and see it from a different perspective. With that being said, ratings and recommendations will probably change or stay the same.
His Tesoro | Emilia Rossi | 4.75 ⭐️
I loooooved this book. It’s mafia romance and arranged marriage, between the couple. However, the FMC has a disability where her bones ache, and can’t walk sometimes. The MMC is a hardass but comes around and loves her. I really enjoyed this book, excited for the second book to come out next month. Recommend? Yes! Read?: Ebook, KU.
Beautiful Beast | Neva Altaj | 4 ⭐️
I read the Imperfect Mafia series last year and this is like the second generation of those books. I liked the book I thought it was cute even though there’s kidnapping and a sense of Beauty and the Beast in a way. I also liked how the characters from the other series intertwine with this one. Feel in love? Maybe more like Stockholm syndrome. Recommend?: Yes. Read? Ebook, KU.
Bourbon & Lies | Victoria Wilder | 4.25⭐️
The book had a secret identity (Witness Protection Program) with a retired cop who now helps his family with their bourbon business. I got the ick from some of their spicy scenes which is why I gave it 4.25 stars. However, I did enjoy this book and the secrecy behind it. Although, at some point, the MMC made me mad for being nosy. Recommend? Yes! Read?: Ebook, KU.
I found this indie author on TikTok and scored when her books were on Kindle Unlimited. I love this series as a whole. My one and only complaint is that I had to continue the series. I wouldn’t necessarily say it was left with cliffhangers, but it was. I had to read the next book, to find out what had happened. My biggest complaint, to be honest. I loved all the books and their storylines, banter, and the sibling's dynamic. The four books follow four siblings and their father in Bratva life. The fifth book won't be available until the summer, so the series is not completed. The women in the series were completely badass, didn’t dislike any one of them. The banter between the siblings had me laughing. They constantly sparred and loved that too. Definitely kept me entertained.
The FMC was a total badass and I loved her. This book was arranged marriage between two mafias. She’s the youngest and only daughter, so the banter is there between the siblings. The book ranks 3rd because I didn’t feel the “love” and it jumped straight to the plot. I felt the MMC fell in love because of her fighting and how smart she was. As for the FMC, she constantly stated how she loved that he had two different colored eyes. Recommend?: Yes. Read?: Ebook, KU.
Bratva Prince | TJ Maguire | 3.25 ⭐️
I liked the book, but I felt like their love story was solely based on physical attraction and how ‘small’ she was. Mafia Man x Cartel Woman, he was intrigued, maybe infatuated which is how they came to be. Oh, and they also kept her captive for plot reasons. Recommend?: Maybe, if you’re interested in the whole series. Read?: Ebook, KU.
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Bratva Knight | TJ Maguire | 4.25 ⭐️
When I tell you this book had the potential to be a 5-star read for me. The only reason the book didn’t get 5 stars is because it was confusing as hell on where it was taking place. There was a lot of going back and forth between New York and Las Vegas and I didn’t know when they were. Other than that, loved it. If a book makes me cry; 5 stars automatically. This book broke my heart and made me cry. I made me feel sad towards both characters at some point. I did related to part of the story, spoiler alert the FMC has a miscarriage, and well yeah. The book has a secret romance and it’s a best friend’s brother. Recommend?: Yes Read?: Ebook, KU
Bratva Butcher | TJ Maguire | 4 ⭐️
The book is about the father who lost his wife years back and started to fall in love with someone new. He has complicated feelings regarding it, but overall I liked the main character's dynamic and banter. There is a miscommunication trope, but it also makes sense as to why it happened. I loved the book I definitely would say my 2nd favorite book in the series.?: Yes Read?: ebook, KU.
Remember these are only my opinions and you can always form your own. I would heavily say to PLEASE check trigger warnings before reading any of the books, especially the mafia ones.
Lizzeth
