Falling For Mr. October(Apple Ridge,#1)

 

 

  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

Thank you to author,Angela Casella for EARC. All opinions are my own. 

 

 

 09.02.26

 

🍂

"My heart is full of you," I say, chocked up by emotion. "Being here...with you...its meant the world to me.I felt like i was drowning, and you reminded me that i can swim." 

 

 🍂

 

 

Everyone loves Mr. October...except for his fake girlfriend.

 
Bianca 

 
I thought I was having the worst day of my life, but the nightmare continues when I come home and find surprise houseguests. Without telling me, my grandmother invited her former best friend, Nonna Francesca, to stay with us for the entire month of October and help run our yearly pumpkin patch. 

Worse, she brought her grandson, Giovanni, a thirty-something Italian playboy who calls me Doctor Death because I'm a former hospice nurse. (At least he gave me a promotion?) We played together when we were kids, but that was years ago, before our grandmothers had a falling out. 

My brother is suspicious of Giovanni, my grandmother fawns over him as if she didn't already have four adoring grandchildren, and he charms every other person he meets, including our next-door neighbor, Vanessa.
She uses her sway to get Giovanni crowned as our town's "Mr. October." 

The prize? A series of fall-themed dates Vanessa expects to go on with Giovanni. 

He's not interested, but he's such a people pleaser he doesn't know how to say no. So he begs me to pretend we're dating...

 
Giovanni

 
I was happy for the excuse to escape Maine, but Apple Ridge isn't much of an escape anymore. Not like when I used to come here growing up. 

My grandmother's showing her age more every day, and Bianca and her brother are nothing like the fun-loving kids I remember. 

But Bianca surprises me by agreeing to pose as my fake girlfriend in exchange for some help with her seniors' group. 

Soon, we're experiencing the best Apple Ridge has to offer, and I'm stunned to realize that the life I've been looking for was waiting here all along.

 🌷

 
Such a heartwarming story! I couldn’t get enough of Bianca and Giovanni’s story; the connection between the two of them had me smiling. I liked the way that Bianca and Giovanni’s relationship developed, how their friendship grew into romance. I adored the fact that he cooked for her; who doesn’t want a guy who knows how to cook and wants to cook your favorites? As a reader, you can’t help but fall in love with Giovanni and Bianca. The two of them fit perfectly together. I adored the way they looked out and wanted to take care of each other. 

I loved how devoted they were and the bond that Bianca and Giovanni had with their families. It’s a lot like the bond that I have with my family. That’s one of my favorite things about Angela’s book: the bond between the characters, the way that everyone will come together to help. Even the minor characters stood out. I loved most of the characters at Apple Ridge. I was engaged from beginning to end, and it felt as if I were in Apple Ridge and part of its activities. While reading Falling For Mr. October, I wished that Apple Ridge was a real place so that I could go there. That’s another thing I love about Angela’s books: she makes the town feel so real- like home. 

I discovered Angela Casella last year. It didn't take me long to fall in love with her stories. Although I loved the books in Babes Of Brewing series, I loved this one even more; at least as of right now. The fall vibes in this book have me ready for the fall! I chose the sweet version instead of the spicy one, and I loved it as much as the spicy ones I read in previous series. I can't wait to read Emily and Miles' story next.

Barbie:Dreamscape.

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

4.5★   

Step out of the box and into the unexpected in this high-stakes, fantasy-infused Barbie young adult novel, from the premier voice in teen fiction.

 
Out of the box. Into the unexpected. 

Barbie’s life is perfect. She lives in a pink-hued paradise called Heartland where everything is in order and everyone has a role to play, thanks to the mysterious and all-powerful beings who will soon assign her a Fate at graduation from the enchanted Swancrest Academy. She’s worked hard to earn a good one. Her years of endless studying and acing every challenge are about to pay off. But when the unthinkable happens and Barbie is left Fateless—the first in Heartland’s history—her carefully ordered world shatters. 

Shaken and uncertain, Barbie must confront a future she never one with no clear path forward at all. Yet when a mysterious necklace begins to pulse with hidden power, she is drawn beyond Heartland’s protective mists into a daring journey across extraordinary lands. From sun-drenched shores to treacherous, ever-shifting landscapes, to shadowed forests steeped in secrets and magic, each realm will test Barbie’s courage, sharpen her wits, and awaken strengths she never knew she possessed—all while drawing her ever closer to a buried truth that could change her world forever.
A richly imagined coming-of-age tale from the premier voice in teen fiction, this is a story about defying expectations, rewriting the rules, and discovering that the greatest possibilities lie in stepping out of the box…and into the unexpected.

 🌷

 
This is the book that brought me back to my childhood. It brought me back when I first discovered Barbie and played with her. I remembered my own adventures with Barbie. As an adult I still own two unopened collector Barbies on my bookshelf. I started reading Barbie: Dreamscape while in line at a book festival for a book signing with Alex Aster and read half of the book by the time I was up front; I couldn’t put this book down. I’ve been excited since Alex announced it on her social media. Barbie: Dreamscape is so much more than I expected it to be; filled with so much magic, action. 

I loved reading from Barbie’s perspective and going on the journey along with her. This story was portrayed beautifully; especially the way Alex portrayed all of Barbie’s emotions and brought her to life. I felt all her emotions, all her fear, but also hope. I rooted for Barbie from the start.  Barbie: Dreamscape is YA and very easy to read, and I enjoyed reading something different. This was unlike any book that I have read before. 

Thank you, Alex; for writing this book. There is part of me that didn’t want to reach the end, because I didn’t want this story to end. If you played with Barbie as a kid, I would highly recommend checking this book out.

A Love Like Candle Light ( Wayward Hollow,#3)

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

Thank you to author,Hailey Frost for letting me be part of her ARC Team!  

Welcome to Wayward Hollow - Where new beginnings come with an unwanted thrill 

When my husband doesn’t show up for one of the biggest nights of my career, I make two life-changing decisions:
File for divorce. Move to a tiny town called Wayward Hollow for a fresh start. 

Honestly? Great plan in theory. 

Less great in practice once my dog digs up human bones in the backyard of my very new, and apparently very haunted house. 

Now I’m stuck dealing with flickering lights, slamming doors, a town-wide betting pool over the nature of the bones in my backyard, and Erik —the ridiculously handsome sheriff who keeps showing up every time my life spirals into chaos.
Erik is juggling a case that’s haunted him for years and complicated feelings about his family. The more time I spend with him, the bigger the feeling he may be impossible to stay away from. 

But between ghost stories, late nights, new friends, autumn festivals, and whatever is definitely haunting my house, Wayward Hollow is starting to feel less like an escape…and more like home.

  🌷

 
I’ve been waiting for the next Wayward Hollow since I finished reading A Love Like Christmas Time last November. I adore Wayward Hollow and am so happy that I discovered Hailey and the series last year. Wayward Hollow gives me such a warm feeling with every book that I read. I should know by now that I will fall in love with the characters and the story. Kylie and Erik, I loved them from the start, and the moment that I started reading their story, I knew that I was in trouble. I wanted to see where their story would lead them. 

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the romance between Erik and Kylie and the way those two connected. They belonged together. The way that those took care of one another, and there was no jealousy, no miscommunication, and it just melted my heart, and had me smiling. I’m excited to see what the future holds for two of them and hope they'll make an appearance in the next book. As I said before, I love the community in this series and the way Kylie seemed to fit right in. 

Of course, I loved the paranormal aspects of the book, and this time they were even more intriguing due to the added mystery. I’m so glad that I got the chance to read this story! Of course, I loved all the banter between all the characters. I’m excited to read Kieran’s story next!

Mutual Discord.

 

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

   Thank you to publisher, Berkley  for providing with Earc via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.  

A girl’s girl influencer gets a serious reality check when she discovers she’s fallen for her best friend’s boyfriend in this forbidden friends-to-lovers romance.

 
Sofia Mendoza has had enough. She’s done watching male co-workers steal credit for her talent, and now she’s going to do something about it. No one knows she’s the brains behind a popular video series highlighting and celebrating women in history who’ve been erased from their own inventions and discoveries. Her family and friends still think she has a successful corporate job and if they discover she is supporting herself by creating social media content, they’d be stunned. 

Keeping her online persona a secret is lonely, but when she sparks a virtual friendship with an anonymous follower—A—first in her comment section with his insightful perspective, then in their private video chats, where he proves to be witty and catfish level good looking, the chemistry between them ignites. 

But when her old friend, Caitlin, arrives for a visit, Sofia’s lies threaten to unravel. A is Alex Castillo, her best friend’s boyfriend. Alex doesn’t reveal that he knows her, and Sofia realizes he may be keeping secrets, too. With their friendship now in real life, can they keep their attraction in check?

   🌷

 
I can’t begin to explain my feelings. I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to describe how I feel about this story. Sofia and Alex, the love story that you won’t be able to get out of your mind. From the moment that those two met, I rooted for the two of them. They had so much chemistry, and their connection went beyond friendship; even if they wouldn’t admit it. As complex as their love story was, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the characters and their story. 

I enjoyed reading about diversity in this book and the way Liana intertwined Puerto Rican culture. I loved Sofia’s family and the way they included him and made him feel welcome, as if he were part of the family. I loved reading it from Sofiia’s perspective, and all the emotions that she felt; I felt them all while reading the book. Sometimes I did wonder what Alex’s thoughts were during it all. I liked that the story was not just a love story, but it dealt with other real-life issues. It made the story feel much more real. 

Sofia wasn’t sure of herself, and I loved how Alex reassured her. I loved seeing how much Sofia grew from the beginning to the end of the book. I didn’t want this book to end, but I also couldn’t turn pages fast enough. I could keep on taking about this book, but you will have pick up a copy to find out for yourself.

Crimson Storm(Star Touched:Witch Blade,#3)

 

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

A cursed sea. A crew of liars. And an ending that will wreck you.

 
After Jade unleashes her forbidden lightning magic to save her classmates from a brutal attack at Blaze Academy, there's no more hiding what she is. Now, every powerful force in the supernatural world wants to control her, capture her, or kill her. 

So she flees the island on a stolen ship into dangerous seas with Logan Ashford—the man she loves, who would kill for her and rewrite time for her. They’re also joined by Logan’s ex-girlfriend Callie, Jade’s roommate Evie, and Kieran Cross, the school’s deadliest weapons instructor who’s getting dangerously close to Evie. 

But while the monsters in the water are deadly, the secrets on the ship are worse. And when an ancient trial forces hidden truths into the open, what Jade discovers will shatter the crew, break her heart, and change the course of her fate forever.

   🌷

 
Considering how many years I’ve been reading Michelle’s books, I shouldn’t be surprised. Yet again, she found a way to surprise me. Michelle has a way to keep her readers on the edge of their seats, and just when you think you know what’s coming next, she surprises you with another unexpected twist. There is a reason that she is one of my favorite authors. I do feel that Witch Blade is one of the darker series. From the moment that I picked up Crimson Storm, I couldn’t pull away and stayed up late, reading. 

I loved that it was multiple perspectives, giving the story so much more depth. Each character was different and viewed everything differently, so it was interesting to see it from their perspective. I was anxious that Jade didn’t tell Evie about Oliver. I was afraid that if Evie found out, it wouldn’t end well for Jade. I love Jade, and while I understood why she did it, I didn’t always agree with her choices. Jade has come a long way since the first book; she is much more determined and confident in herself and her powers. After that ending, I’m curious to see what awaits Jade next. 

The descriptions in this book were outstanding; I could see it all in my mind as I read. I think this series would make an amazing movie or TV show. I loved the way that Michelle intertwined her twists in this one; some surprised me more than others. The minute that I turned the last page, I wanted to read the next one. Witch Blade has become one of my favorite series by her, and I cannot wait for more!