April 2020 - Booked J | in the Land of Stories

archive: 2020

A Hilarious, Queer and Sex Positive Coming of Age Story | Review: Love is for Losers by Wibke Brueggeman

5:00 AM

Another day, another delightful YA contemporary! Love Is for Losers is another novel I wish I'd had growing up. (And, yes, it definitely had me at its comparisons to Sex Education.) ...

archive: 2020

Margaret Rogerson Officially Owns Me: This Book Was EVERYTHING | Review: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

8:00 AM

This. Was. So. Magical. And honesty? Sorcery of Thorns just might be one of my favourite fantasy standalones of all time. Come to think of it, I don't think I've been this smitten with a standalone as such since The Midnight Dance. ...

archive: 2020

An Unfortunately Lackluster and Tedious End to the Wake Trilogy | Review: Gone by Lisa McMann

7:30 AM

All progress in terms of intrigue, and development, throughout Fade has left the building. While Lisa McMann is totally still my girl, Gone was not my cup of tea. ...

archive: 2020

A Fun and Youthful Read That is Perfect for the Beach | Review: Meet Me at Midnight by Jessica Pennington

9:00 AM

Summer is nearly here--and Meet Me at Midnight is here to give you all the beachy, love-hate vibes! ...

archive: 2020

Engrossingly Magical | Review: The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi

6:30 AM

The highly anticipated sequel to The Gilded Wolves is months away, but I promise the wait is worth it. The Silvered Serpents is thoroughly captivating and imaginative. ...

archive: 2020

Compelling and Full of Darkness | Review: My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

5:03 PM

From a psychological standpoint, this book was bound to be nearly perfect (in a bleak, horrifying kind of way) for me to begin with. And, just like that, My Dark Vanessa compelled me to read on. ...

american dirt

A Longtime Favourite Author, A Six Month Debate on Whether or Not I Should Post This Review | Review: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

4:35 PM

It's no secret that Jeanine Cummins single handedly inspired me to write true crime with A Rip in Heaven. If you've been a reader on my blog at any point in the last decade, you already know my fondness for that work of non-fiction. American Dirt, is, however, another story entirely--and has rightfully stirred up controversy. In an effort to not talk over...

archive: 2020

Fade Was Everything I Wanted the Wake Trilogy to Be | Review: Fade by Lisa McMann

9:00 AM

When I was in high school, I apparently had no idea how to read book series in order a good chunk of the time. Wake is the perfect example of that: I'd only read the second installment, Fade. And this was just as electrifying and engaging as I remembered. ...

!jessica talks

Top Ten Tuesday: Titles That Would Make Good Band Names (#89)

11:00 PM

When something combines my two great loves into one topic!! We have decided to stan this weeks topic for ever. For real, though, the world may be in a massive dumpster fire mode, but at least Top Ten Tuesday is here to bring us a little joy. And I'm always down for a little creativity. ...

archive: 2020

A Ruthlessly Delightful Sequel | Review: Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan

10:00 PM

While I didn't adore Wicked Saints, I was still intrigued by where any sequel could go. Ruthless Gods solidified my interest in the world that Emily A. Duncan has established within Something Dark and Holy. ...

archive: 2020

Stunning Debut, Alert! A Deeply Moving Novel of Life | Review: The Love Story of Missy Carmichael by Beth Morrey

4:30 PM

Get ready for a flood of emotion: The Love Story of Missy Carmichael will surely move you to tears and leave its mark on readers for a lifetime. ...

a good neighborhood

A Masterful and Beautifully Written Piece of Fiction | Review: A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler

8:30 AM

Another bright-side to an otherwise bleak year: A Good Neighborhood is truly a stunning novel. 2020 might be sending in the clowns and punching as all, but at least the literary world is feeding us. Right? ...

archive: 2020

A Fast and Indulgent Read With Serious Heart | Review: In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

6:30 AM

Although I've had Famous in Love on my shelves for years, In Five Years was actually my first experience completing a novel by Rebecca Serle. And all I can say is swoon. ...

archive: 2020

Unexpected, A Little Bizarre and So Very Fun | Review: Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore

5:00 AM

Okay, so, Oona Out of Order was absolutely NOT what I was expecting. And, honestly? I'm here for it. Completely. ...

anika scott

An Enjoyable, and Beautifully Written Piece of Historical Fiction | Blog Tour + Review: The German Heiress by Anika Scott

6:00 AM

Looking for your next engrossing historical fiction novel? Look no further than Anika Scott's The German Heiress! ...

archive: 2020

Beautifully Written Tale of an Icy Mystery and Sisters | Review: Frozen Beauty by Lexa Hillyer

6:30 AM

Frozen Beauty is a stunning and poignant novel about loss, sisterhood and coming of age in tragedy. ...

archive: 2020

An Intriguing, Fast Paced Plot That Gets a Little Confusing | Review: Wake by Lisa McMann

5:30 AM

Quarantine's got me binge-reading old favourites and series that I've wanted to get to for a long time. That's right: it's time to FINALLY dive into Wake by Lisa McMann. (Side note: I read the second book back in the day. Don't ask me why I only read the middle book in the trilogy. High school Jessica had no clue, I guess?) ...

andie j. christopher

Totally Swoon-Worthy! | Review: Not That Kind of Guy by Andie J. Christopher

5:00 AM

Looking for a charming new romance to read this spring? Want to beat the quarantine blues? Get ready for Not That Kind of Guy! ...

!jessica talks

Top Ten Tuesday: Series I Enjoyed but Rarely Talk About (#88)

11:00 PM

Look! It's a miracle! I didn't change this weeks topic! (Well, not really.) As we continue to stay at home and self quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19, things have the tendency to look bleak or scary. To combat these feelings, it's always a good idea to stay connected and share with each other the things that we love. Which is why...

all your twisted secrets

An Enthralling and Secretive Mystery from a Debut Author | Review: All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban

5:30 AM

A little bit And Then There Were None, a little bit The Breakfast Club, a little bit Dangerous Girls. A whole of intrigue and secrets. ...

archive: 2020

The Perfectly Entertaining Prequel to the CW's Nancy Drew | Review: Nancy Drew: The Curse by Micol Ostow

9:00 AM

It's no secret that I'm a massive Nancy Drew fan and I've been digging the CW's modern, chilling take on the classic characters. So, obviously I've been anticipating its prequel novel. And, uh, update? It is as fun and thrilling as the show. ...

best of 2020

Charming, Romantic and Funny--Lauren Layne at Her Finest! | Review: Marriage on Madison Avenue by Lauren Layne

8:00 AM

Epic friendships? Check. Best friends falling in love? Check. Fake engagement turned real? CHECK, CHECK, CHECK. Lauren Layne serves up another charming, dishy, fun and romantic story with Marriage on Madison Avenue. ...

archive: 2020

Love on Lexington Avenue is SO SOFT and Fun | Review: Love on Lexington Avenue by Lauren Layne

7:30 AM

The second installment of Lauren Layne's Central Park Pact series is just as light, fun and romantic as the first! Love on Lexington Avenue is so heart warming and I'm officially soft. ...

archive: 2020

Electrifying and in Desperate Need of a Sequel! | Review: The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson

6:30 AM

Am I in a fragile state because the fourth book still hasn't been released? YOU BET. The Shadow Cabinet has sent me into a massive book hangover but it's fine. WE'RE FINE. ...

archive: 2020

A Fun Story of Unlikely Friendships and Romance | Review: Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne

1:00 PM

Your girl finally has been able to sink her teeth in some more of Lauren Layne's work. Naturally, I had to start with the Central Park Pact series. How could I not?! ...

archive: 2020

Engaging, Thrilling and Completely Underrated | Review: The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

10:00 AM

Seriously, how is the Shades of London series SO FREAKING GOOD? I'm hooked. I'm seriously hooked. ...

archive: 2020

Witness the Beginning of One of the Most Underrated YA Series of the Last Decade | Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

9:00 AM

At this point, I'm not sure if we're ever going to see the fourth installment in the Shades of London series--but, I FELT LIKE A REREAD. So here we are. And, spoiler alert? I loved The Name of the Star SO MUCH MORE the second time than I did the first and am pretty sure I've upgraded this to one of my all-time...

andrew neiderman

The Final Installment of the Casteel Family Saga Takes Us Back to the Beginning | Review: Web of Dreams by V.C. Andrews

7:30 AM

Web of Dreams could have been an enthralling and tragic tale. Unfortunately, it remains one of the more disappointing offerings of the Casteel series. ...

archive: 2020

Book Blitz + Giveaway: Kind of Famous by Mary Ann Marlowe

7:00 AM

Did I want to join in on the fun of celebrating Kind of Famous' release because of its cover and the fact that the main character's last name is Beckett? (Aka, MY last name?) AND because she ran a fan site for her favourite band, like I did circa 2003-2008? YEP. Also, it sounds like SO much fun and I definitely need it...

andrew neiderman

One of the Weakest Links in the Casteel Family Saga | Review: Gates of Paradise by V.C. Andrews

5:30 AM

I had high hopes for Gates of Paradise, but, to put it bluntly, it was basically just Diet-Heaven/Dark Angel/Fallen Hearts with a little bit of Dollanganger all condensed into one novel. And, of course, it's a damn shame to kill off Heaven Casteel after everything she went through. ...

all eyes on her

Perfect for a Rainy Day: Intriguing and Suspenseful | Review: All Eyes on Her by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

8:00 AM

It was only fitting that I devoured All Eyes on Her on the rainiest day (so far) of our quarantine. Talk about setting the tone! ...

archive: 2020

A Highly Engaging and Informative Read for Young Feminst and Aspiring Politicians | Review: In Good Hands by Stephanie MacKendrick

6:00 AM

Massive thank you to my friends over at Storygram Tours and Kids Can Press for sending a review copy of In Good Hands my way for the Instagram tour! This was definitely a book I wish I had growing up! ...

archive: 2020

Gotham High is a Delightfully Fresh and Indulgent Spin on Your Favourite DC Characters | Review: Gotham High by Melissa de la Cruz and Illustrated by Thomas Pitilli

6:00 AM

You know those books and graphic novels you cannot believe you've managed to snag? And you just kind of stare at them for hours on end before feeling like someone needs to pinch you? That's me with Gotham High. So, extra thank yous to my friends at DC Comics for sending me a free copy of this book! Spoiler alert: Gotham High is...

!jessica talks

Top Ten Tuesday: Upcoming Releases I Am Eager to Read (#87)

11:00 PM

What's that? No, of course not. That's not me changing the topic for TTT again. (I'm the worst, I KNOW.) Books I Bought/Borrowed Because was not sparking much for me that I haven't fairly recently discussed, so I'm just going to tackle the topic of upcoming releases that I'm keen on reading! Let's hope I have some free time to respond to comments--I've...

archive: 2020

Look Out for this Gem and Get Hyped | Review: Look by Zan Romanoff

6:00 AM

It's time to get serious and have a good look at how we present ourselves. And how we really are. Look is a can't-miss gem of a novel that you desperately need to be reading. ...

archive: 2020

Fallen Hearts is Written Like a Delightfully Awful Soap Opera | Review: Fallen Hearts by V.C. Andrews

6:00 AM

Written in part by V.C. Andrews, before her death, and completed by the V.C. Andrews ghost-writer, Andrew Neiderman, Fallen Hearts proves to be a solid third installment to the messy Casteel series. ...

andrea rothman

Original and Charming | Blog Tour: The DNA of You and Me by Andrea Rothman

6:00 AM

The DNA of You and Me has been on my radar since its initial publication last year. Naturally, I was beyond ecstatic to be invited to participate in the blog tour in honor of the novel now being available in paperback! So, how did this romance live up to my expectations? ...

Pages

Welcome, Welcome

Archive

Popular

Featured

Translate