February 2020 - Booked J | in the Land of Stories

Pulsing With Magic and Tension | Blog Tour, Review + Playlist: The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

6:30 AM

This might be one of my favourite blog tours I've participated in and definitely have to hype up all of my fellow hosts because, DANG. Pure fire. The Shadows Between us is a stunning release and posts like Tricia Levensellar's Guest Post on Crafting a Slytherin Romance over at Novel Knight have got me all kinds of hyped. (And, I mean, really, we...

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Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I’d Follow On Social Media (#81)

11:00 PM

This weeks TTT topic is a delight! What fictional characters would *Penn Badgley voice* YOU follow on social media? Oh, there are so many! (Which is funny because I never actually considered this topic until I saw it on the prompt list.) ...

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Did Someone Say Gender-Swapped, Sci-Fi, Cinderella Retelling?! | Review: Rogue Princess by B.R. Myers

6:30 AM

I solemnly swear that I'm not still studying the cover for Rogue Princess like it's a priceless piece of art. (It is, okay?) ...

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A Standout Memoir | Review: The Watergate Girl by Jill Wine-Banks

4:13 PM

I adore historically based memoirs. You can definitely guess why I was anxious to get my hands on a copy of The Watergate Girl. (And I'm SO glad I did.) ...

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An Unexpected Gem | Review: The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

3:38 PM

I went into The Authenticity Project expecting to love it. But, I totally underestimated how much I'd really love it. ...

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Intense and Beautifully Written Historical Fiction | Review: Remembered by Yvonne Battle-Felton

3:09 PM

We've still got a way to go re: diversity in literature, but I'm so glad to see books such as Remembered pop up. ...

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Inpisrational and Poignant | Blog Tour + Review: Mercy House by Alena Dillon

6:30 AM

Spoiler alert: Mercy House is deeply moving and an emotional journey. It is all about women. And those who help others. ...

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Captivating Prose that Moves Readers | Review: I Hope You Stay by Courtney Peppernell

6:33 PM

As intimate and moving as her previous releases, Courtney Peppernell impresses once more with I Hope You Stay. ...

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The Literary Community is on a Roll with Historical Releases! | Blog Tour + Review: Wolf by Herbert J. Stern and Alan A. Winter

7:30 AM

I'm completely consumed by all of these wonderful historical releases. Whether they are non-fiction or fiction, you have to admit we're seeing SO much greatness. Which is why I jumped at the chance to review Wolf. ...

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Top Ten Tuesday: The Last Ten Books That Gave Me a Book Hangover (#80)

11:00 PM

Nothing says 'this was a good read' quite like being so hungover, you can barely stomach looking at another book for weeks. Right? ...

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Let the Darkness Consume You | Blog Tour, Review, Playlist + Favourite Quotes: Night Spinner by Addie Thorley

6:30 AM

Can you believe that not only is today my birthday, but my tour stop for one of my favourite YA releases? HELLO, Night Spinner. It's time to let darkness consume. (Also, HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT COVER? I'm swooning. Always.) ...

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amanda lovelace

Embrace Your Own Fairy Tale | Review: Break Your Glass Slippers by Amanda Lovelace

1:24 PM

Start the new decade with Amanda Lovelace's latest: Break Your Glass Slippers. Her prose is just as magical as ever. ...

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Purely Swoon-Worthy Hilarity | Review: To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters

11:00 AM

To Have and to Hoax promised me romance and comedic value, and HOO BOY, Martha Waters sure did deliver. ...

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The Power of Women! | Blog Tour + Review: Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini

7:30 AM

Resistance Women is just as enthralling and rich with history as I'd hoped! Jenifer Chiaverini is a true gift. ...

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A Fantastic Debut and a Brilliant Voice | Review: Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

6:30 AM

Such a Fun Age was fantastic! This is another review duo for me--I read along in a physical copy and listened to the audiobook. ...

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A Lovely YA Fantasy That Really Shines in It's Second Act | Reivew: Belle Révolte by Linsey Miller

7:00 AM

Belle Révolte was one of my most anticipated upcoming 2020 release. You can't go wrong with a YA fantasy that has representation! ...

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Beautifully Written Heartbreak | Review: The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson

6:30 AM

If you've been following Booked J for years, you already know that because of my origins in reading old Lurlene McDaniel novels, I will forever adore YA contemporary novels that explore grief. The Lucky Ones is one of those novels. ...

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A Fiery Chicago Based Romance | Review: King of Lincoln Park by Martha Kennerson

5:30 AM

King of Lincoln Park had me at the fact that it takes place in Chicago. And I love knowing areas in which it takes place. ...

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Series Spotlight: Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy

10:00 AM

There's no lack of retellings when it comes to the Arthurian Legend. They are never-ending and the legend itself is a classic. Once & Future is one of many but it is also one in a billion and the big standout. All I know is that this series is one of the best spins on the legend--unique, lively, action packed and full of...

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Conflicting Thoughts and More | Review: The Roxy Letters by Mary Pauline Lowry

9:30 AM

Ah, I'm going to be real: The Roxy Letters was mostly one of those books I requested because of its cover. (And synopsis, but mostly its cover because clearly I'm shallow.) ...

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I'm EMOTIONAL of the Finale Percy Jackson and the Olympians Novel... BUT IT'S FINE | Review: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

8:30 AM

Nothing* to see here, folks. Just Jessica burning through her Rick Riordan binge read and crying about Percy Jackson. It's fine, we're fine. *Kind of a lot, TBH. ...

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Give Me ALL the Grease Vibes! | Review: Only Mostly Devestated by Sophie Gonzales

7:30 AM

I'm only mostly devastated that this book wasn't published sooner. Get ready to devour Only Mostly Devastated and blast Grease for all to hear. (Shout out to my neighbors who had to hear me singing Grease very loudly after finishing this book because I'M A BIG OLE SOFTIE, OKAY?) ...

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Intriguing and Secretive | Review: The Majesties by Tiffany Tsao

6:30 AM

Obviously The Majesties by Tiffany Tsao had me at its comparisons to Gillian Flynn AND Crazy Rich Asians. Like, could it be anymore intriguing in that alone? ...

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Book Blitz, Excerpt + Giveaway: Off Balance by Aileen Erin

6:30 AM

The second installment of Aileen Erin's Aunare Chronicles is officially here! Get ready to dive into Off Balance. ...

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Dark, Magical and Impossible to Put Down | Blog Tour, Review, Playlist, Favourite Quotes + Giveaway: Ink in the Blood by Kim Smejkal

7:30 AM

Did someone say MAGICAL TATTOOS? *Packs bags and runs to the nearest bookstore because this book is that good* (Seriously, though...) ...

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Top Ten Tuesday: Favourites for my Birthday Week (#79)

11:00 PM

Taking note from Chandler's birthday celebration, I decided for the week of my birthday I'm going to reread a few favourites. (Or, at least, attempt to.) And that week is this week! With my birthday on Saturday, I'm feeling a bit indulgent and like I want to revisit some favourites. So, this week's topic for Love Freebie is just that! ...

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A Heartfelt YA Romance About Redemption and Starting Fresh | Blog Tour, Review + Giveaway: If You Only Knew by Prerna Pickett

8:00 AM

Swoon Reads ALWAYS provides the best for us and If You Only Knew is sure to be a total hit for many readers. ...

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All the Stars and Teeh is a Charming and Undeniably Dangerous Fantasy Must-Read | Blog Tour, Review, Playlist + Giveaway: All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace

6:30 AM

Are you ready to join the crew? All the Stars and Teeth dazzled in the most vicious of ways. I'm completely smitten with this stunning debut and cannot wait to read more by Adalyn Grace in the future. ...

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Melissa de la Cruz Proves Once More Why She is a Total YA Ride or Die | Blog Tour, Review, Playlist, Favourite Quotes + Giveaway: The Queen's Assassin by Melissa de la Cruz

6:30 AM

If you think I'm forever Melissa de la Cruz trash who ADORED The Queen's Assassin... you would be absolutely correct. ...

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Eye-Catching and Mysterious | Blog Tour + Review: Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson

6:00 AM

Peter Swanson's been on my radar for a long time--Before She Knew Him was my first, but certainly not my last of his backlist! ...

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Hooks You From the Very Start | Blog Tour + Review: Home Truths by Susan Lewis

6:30 AM

Home Truths was such an interesting and engrossing read--and definitely a sign that I need to read more from Susan Lewis, ASAP! (Which I definitely said when it came to One Minute Later. ...

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My TBR I Predict Will Be 5-Star Reads (#78)

11:00 PM

There are so many books headed our way that I'm 98% sure will be 5-star reads. I hate making early predictions because sometimes I get ahead of myself and overhype something in my mind and then get letdown by it through no fault but my own. ...

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a love hate thing

A Lovely New Voice in Contemporary YA Literature | Review: A Love Hate Thing by Whitney D. Grandison

9:27 PM

A Love Hate Thing was an entertaining and a truly lovely debut novel! If you love YA contemporary romance, you'll definitely enjoy this one. ...

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abigail johnson

Emotional and Beautifully Written | Review: Every Other Weekend by Abigail Johnson

4:32 PM

Every Other Weekend packs a serious punch and brings on ALL THE FEELINGS. Bring on the tissues. ...

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Welcome, Welcome

BOOKED J was created by a group of friends who wanted nothing more than to discuss literature with the world. In the time since, Booked J has gone through a number of changes in name and content.

Presently run by Jessica, a freelance writer, singer, Goodreads Librarian and avid reader, Booked J is--somehow--still going strong. With several years of book blogging under her belt, and a desire to work with the literary community in making it more diverse, she is always open to collaborations.

You can always find Jessica obnoxiously singing show-tunes into her morning coffee. When not reading or researching true crime, she is likely running around outside with her dogs and generally making a fool of herself.

Please read our review policy before submitting any business or review inquiries/requests.

As of 2020 I no longer accept digital ARCs. This change is indefinite. If you send an email inquiring about digital review copies I will likely not respond.

It's important to note that at Booked J we are open to all genres and as our audience grows, so does our taste in literature. However, we do have a set type when it comes to our content.

Timing is everything and sometimes, due to an influx of requests or book mail, it may take a little while for us to reply/post. If you have a preferred timeline for reviews to be posted by, you can always include this in your request.

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I will likely not respond to any emails that aren't relevant to my postings. Reviews, interviews, blog tours, guest posts and still relating lifestyle posts or subscription boxes are welcome.