A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

 

"Night Triumphant - and the Stars Eternal. If he was the sweet, terrifying darkness, I was the glittering light that only his shadows could make clear."

TW: Abusive relationship, blood, death, war, murder, rape (past, referenced)

Release Date: May 2, 2017

Genre: High fantasy, romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

A world on the brink of war

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's actions and learn what she can about the invading king threatening to bring her land to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit. One slip could bring doom not only for Feyre but for everything - and everyone - she holds dear.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre endeavors to take her place as one of the High Fae of the land, balancing her struggle to master her powers - both magical and political - and her love for her court and family. Amidst these struggles, Feyre and Rhysand must decide whom to trust among the cunning and lethal High Lords, and hunt for allies in unexpected places. 

Review:

Are you ready to feel your heart pounding out of your chest?

Are you ready to be on the edge of your seat?

Are you ready to laugh?

Are you ready to cry?

Are you ready to fight?

Are you ready to love?

A Court of Wings and Ruin had me experiencing the entire spectrum of emotions; there was laughter, there was rage, there was tears, there was pure joy. It was gut-wrenching, heart-wrenching, and had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. I thought I knew how the entirety of this book would play out; what a fool to think I could never guess what was to happen next. I was on a magical rollercoaster that I never wanted to end.

It is becoming increasingly more difficult, no, utterly impossible for me to pick a favorite book out of the series so far. I was unbelievably convinced the second book, A Court of Mist and Fury, would be my favorite. Now after finishing A Court of Wings and Ruin, I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH IS MY MOST BELOVED. I have only read three books out of five but I am wholly consumed by this book series. I cannot wait to finish them all. I will begrudgingly admit, it took me the longest time to finish this book, nearly a month! The world stupidly kept getting in the way of my reading time. Doesn't the world know that I need to disappear into my romantasy novel?

Sarah J. Maas is truly a master wordsmith. The way she wields words on the pages is a complete masterpiece. She truly has perfected the delicate balance between eternal romance, friendship, betrayal, found family, epic battle scenes, heartbreak, and more. It never gets boring, and it is never too much, the perfect harmony.

I really struggled in the beginning of the book with Feyre having to return to the Spring Court. It made me anxious: walking on eggshells, chewing on my fingernails, rocking back and forth. I was so worried, and it was a bit triggering, to see what would happen while she was in the "deceptively perfect" Spring Court. How I once was charmed and swooned by Tamlin absolutely eludes me. It was so difficult reading as Feyre pretended to be that woman again. She did it masterfully though. She played her role beautifully and for a good cause. I can only imagine how difficult that was for her but she is the embodiment of strength. Lucien had me completely outraged the time she was at the Spring Court; what happened to him and does he ever get redemption? Answer: he absolutely does. Thank goodness. I really liked Lucien in the first book but that damned Spring Court was tainting him!  

THE FOUND FAMILY IN THIS BOOK. My heart absolutely melts and swoons for the undying love between Rhysand and Feyre. However, the relationships between Rhys and his chosen family…then Feyre being adopted by said chosen family…THEN to see the budding relationship form between Feyre and her sisters, and the fleeting moment with their father…UGH. MY HEART. I cannot take it.

I absolutely adored getting to visit the different courts and meet all the different High Lords. I would love a book on all the different courts and High Lords, Sarah. Thank you so much.

Also, I know these characters are classified as "evil" but my heart absolutely WEEPS for the Suriel and the Bone Carver...even the Weaver. Every character in these books has so much DEPTH. The profundity in all of these characters she has conjured is magnificent and I am constantly in awe. 

Once again, I am was such a fool for taking this long to start this series. I never believed it could be as amazing as everyone said it was. How unbelievably wrong I was. I will never be able to make up for all that lost time that I could have been entranced by this magical world and its characters. But I will never make that grave error again. Onto the next book in the series! 

 

Quotes: 

"Remember that you are a wolf. And you cannot be caged."

"It's a rare person to face who they are and not run from it - not be broken by it."

"You do not fear. You do not falter. You do not yield."

"When you erupt, girl, make sure it is felt across worlds."

"But for my home, for Prythian and the human territory and so many others...I would clean my blades, and wash the blood from my skin. And I would do it again and again and again."

"Leave this world...a better place than how you found it."

"It is the family you make, not the one you are born into, that matters."

"The great joy and honor of my life has been to know you. To call you my family. And I am grateful - more than I can possibly say - that I was given this time with you all."

"I have no regrets in my life, but this. That we did not have time. That I did not have time with you, Nesta. I will find you in the next world - the next life. And we will have that time. I promise."

"I see all of you, Rhys. And there is not one part that I do not love with everything I am."

"Night Triumphant - and the Stars Eternal. If he was the sweet, terrifying darkness, I was the glittering light that only his shadows could make clear."

"I would have waited five hundred more years for you. A thousand years. And if this was all the time we were allowed to have...the wait was worth it."

"I didn't know how long my sisters and I lay there together, just like we had once shared that carved bed in that dilapidated cottage. Then - back then, we had kicked and twisted and fought for any bit of space, any breathing room. But that morning, as the sun rose over the world, we held tight. And did not let go."

" Be happy, Feyre."

"And will you come with me; on this adventure - and all the rest?" "Always."

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

 

"To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys."

"To the stars who listen - and the dreams that are answered."

TW: Forced sex work, sexual assault, PTSD, physical & emotional abuse, child abuse, murder, torture 

Release Date: April 22, 2016

Genre: High fantasy, romance, fiction 

Rating:

Summary:

A love born of darkness.

Feyre has undergone more trials than one human woman can carry in her heart. Though she's now been granted the powers and lifespan of the High Fae, she is haunted by her time Under the Mountain and the terrible deeds she performed to save the lives of Tamlin and his people. 

As her marriage to Tamlin approaches, Feyre's hollowness and nightmares consume her. She finds herself split into two different people: one who upholds her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court, and one who lives out her life in the Spring Court with Tamlin. 

While Feyre navigates a dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms. She might just be the key to stopping it, but only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future - and the future of a world in turmoil. 

Review:

Is it socially acceptable to finish a book then immediately start reading it all over again from the beginning? That is my immediate urge after finishing A Court of Mist and Fury. I feel this insatiable desire to immerse myself in the masterpiece that was this book all over again. However, I must advance on in this stunning series, so I will have to save that for another time.

Once again, I am absolutely kicking myself and cursing my name because I started this magnificent series so late. I really thought there was no possible way this series could be as amazing as everyone says it is but IT ABSOLUTELY IS. I knew that the second book in the series was beloved by so many readers so I had been most looking forward to reading this one and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. 

After finishing this book, I feel transformed in the best way possible. I feel as if I have been enveloped in a warm embrace from the starry-night sky. I feel safe in the dark shadows. I feel whole. I almost refused to finish the book because I did not want it to end. I didn't want to get to the last page and realize that this was not reality, not my reality. That I would have to leave this magical land of Prythian. 

My love for this book, these characters, the city of stars, this story, is wholly encompassing. This love knows no bounds. There are no words in any language to truly describe my feelings for this book.

The characters are uniquely complex, and the character development is immense (and this is only the second book). I really enjoyed Feyre in the first book, and I loved her even more in the second. I am truly adoring read as Feyre discovers her sense of self, her new powers, her independence. I have not been turned into an immortal fae and locked away by a High Lord in the Spring Court, but I do sadly know the pain of being controlled, being tamed. This hit very close to home. The strength Feyre has been able to muster, not because she has new powers from being fae, but because she is Feyre. She is ever enduring. Then to read as Feyre finds the love of her life, her mate. She is EMPOWERED by this unconditional, unyielding love, not confined by it. It is truly awe-inspiring.

The Inner Circle is utterly exceptional. Mor, Azriel, Cassian, Amren...they are so unique and so special. They are family. I felt like I was a part of this beautiful friendship while reading this book. Without even knowing, these characters made me feel like I was part of this beautiful friendship, of this family.  The Inner Circle made me feel so valued, protected, and seen. This story is emboldened by the sense of found family. 

Rhysand, sweet Rhysand. I did not know that such a beautiful being and soul existed, even on paper. Even in the imagination. I fell in love with Rhysand very early on in the book but chapter 54 completely melted my heart. I am just a puddle of indescribable feelings and emotions after reading chapter 54. 

*Smoking hot chapters: 48 and 55*

Sarah J. Maas truly transforms words on a page into a beautiful masterpiece but does it in such an effortless manner. There is such a delicate balance between all the elements: character development, battles, romance, etc. It feels like a symphony, marrying the music between the lively, upbeat tempos to the slower, more melodic and romantic tones, to the final crescendo with speed and excitement that has the audience rising to their feet for a standing ovation.

I did not want to see this book end at all, but I cannot wait to continue my adventure with Feyre. 

Quotes:

"To the huntress who remembered to reach back for those less fortunate."

"And I realized - I realized how badly I'd been treated before, if my standards had become so low. If the freedom I'd been granted felt like a privilege and not an inherent right."

"I was not a pet, not a doll, not an animal. I was a survivor, and I was strong. I would not be weak, or helpless again. I would not, could not be broken. Tamed." 

"No one was my master - but I might be master of everything, if I wished. If I dared." 

"I was not prey any longer, I decided as I eased up to that door. And I was not a mouse. I was a wolf."

"I'll say this once - and only once. You can be a pawn, be someone's reward, and spend the rest of your immortal life bowing and scraping and pretending you're less than him, than Ianthe, than any of us. If you want to pick that road, then fine. A shame, but it's your choice. But I know you - more than you realize, I think - and I don't believe for one damn minute that you're remotely fine with being a pretty trophy for someone who sat on his ass for nearly fifty years then sat on his ass while you were shredded apart."  

"I once lived in a place where the opinion of others mattered. It suffocated me, nearly broke me. So you'll understand me, Feyre, when I say that I know what you feel, and I know what they tried to do to you, and that with enough courage, you can say hell with a reputation. You do what you love, what you need."

"A queen who owned her body, her life, her destiny, and never apologized for it."

"There are good days and hard days for me - even now. Don't let the hard days win."

"He thinks he'll be remembered as the villain in the story. But I forgot to tell him that the villain is usually the person who locks up the maiden and throws away the key. He was the one who let me out."

"I wonder if some part of me knew what was waiting for me. That I would never be a gentle grower of things, or someone who burned like fire - but that I would be quiet and enduring and as faceted as the night. That I would have beauty, for those who knew where to look, and if people didn't bother to look, but to only fear it...then I didn't particularly care for them, anyway. I wonder if, even in my despair and hopelessness, I was never truly alone. I wonder if I was looking for this place - looking for you all."

"To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys." "To the stars who listen - and the dreams that answered." 

"I was his and he was mine, and we were the beginning and middle and end. We were a song that had been sung from the very first ember of light in the world." 

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

 

"Because your human joy fascinates me - the way you experience things, in your life span, so wildly and deeply and all at once, is...entrancing. I'm drawn to it, even when I know I shouldn't be, even when  I try not to be."

TW: emotional abuse, kidnapping, drugging, murder, physical abuse, torture, violence

Release Date: May 2015

Genre: High fantasy, romance, fiction 

Rating:

Summary: 

When ninteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.

At least, he's not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it or doom Tamlin - and his world - forever. 

Review:

I finally caved.

I gave in to temptation, and I thank my lucky stars that I did. 

I finished the first book: A Court of Thorns and Roses. 

One of the first things I noticed when joining bookstagram was that the ACOTAR series was a beloved staple in the bookish community. I was actually shocked to find out the first book came out in 2015! It has been around for a considerable amount of time but has such a cult following. 

Admittedly, I can be quite a hipster. I'm not proud of it in the slightest. I can find myself very standoffish to anything that is popular or trending. The subconscious thought behind it is that I don't want to have such high expectations only find myself utterly disappointed. That leaves me in a position where I miss out, a lot. But there has to be a reason this book is so well-loved and such a classic, right?

 

I completely understand it now and I curse myself for not giving in to this temptation much sooner. 

From the first page, I was absolutely entranced by Sarah J. Maas with her intricate, and imaginative writing style as well as her magical storytelling, and this is only book one! The world building in this first book is one of the best I have ever read. I find that when you are creating an entire world for the reader, it can be a bit dry or slow but Sarah did this in such a masterful way. I was fully immersed in this magnificent world. It was so hard to put the book down once I was fully sucked in. Then having to return to reality? Such a disappointment! Give me a land of handsome fae men and magical powers, thank you! As for the handsome fae men, I absolutely loved Tamlin, Lucien, and Rhysand. They were all such wholly different, unique characters that I thoroughly enjoyed their interaction with each other as well as our main character, Feyre.

Feyre is, by far, one of the best female leads in a book that I have read thus far. I connected with her so deeply. I really loved getting to know her in the human world and also in Prythian. I cannot wait to go on more adventures with Feyre. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Amarantha is a wretched, foul creature but she truly is a bad bitch. Suffice to say, no matter the alignment of the character, I absolutely loved them because they were so multi-dimensional and well-thought out. 

This beautiful world, the multi-faceted characters and thrilling adventure had me utterly consumed. Thorns and roses wrapped themselves around my heart and I never want to go back. We must only progress forward! I will be picking up the next book in this series, A Court of Mist and Fury, and I absolutely cannot wait! 

If you were like me and were hesitating to pick up this book and to start this series, DO NOT BE A FOOL LIKE ME. This is your sign to get started! You will not be disappointed! 

Quotes: 

"Because your human joy fascinates me - the way you experience things, in your life span, so wildly and deeply and all at once, is...entrancing. I'm drawn to it, even when I know I shouldn't be, even when I try not to be."

"Don't feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy."

"Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don't feel anything at all." 

"We need hope, or else we cannot endure." 

"He brought his lips to my ear. "I would have been gentle with you, though." I shuddered as I closed my eyes. Every inch of my body went taught as his words echoed through me. "I would have had you moaning my name throughout it all. And I would have taken a very, very long time, Feyre."

 "Because when the legends get written, I didn't want to be remembered for standing on the sidelines. I want my future offspring to know that I was there, and that I fought against her at the end, even if I couldn't do anything useful." 

"Because," he went on, his eyes locked with mine, "I didn't want you to fight alone. Or die alone."

"Because I'd want someone to hold my hand until the end, and awhile after that. That's something everyone deserves, human or faerie."

"I love you," he whispered, and kissed my brow. "Thorns and all." 

Safety in Numbers by Sophie Penhaligon

 

"Sweetheart, I've had a guardian angel since the day you walked into my life. My elevator angel. My fiery one. My Seraphina."

TW: car accidents, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, loss, disability 

Release Date: January 3, 2022

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

Sometimes you have to lose it all in order to find yourself.

When a tragic accident leaves mathematician Seraphina Ellis broken and despairing, she is convinced that she will live out the remainder of her life in lonely solitude. Determined to conceal her disability from her co-workers, she hides away in her desolate cubicle, crossing off the days of her life, unfulfilled and defeated.

A chance meeting with irascible but mesmerizing billionaire scientist and CEO Milo Grant provides her with the job of her dreams, and the chance of escape from cubicle land. But Grant is haunted by his own monsters and is increasingly interested in more than just her mathematical magic. 

Review:

I knew it had to go downhill at some point. The last few books I had read were such hits. I thought to myself, how did I get so lucky? But as we all know: what goes up, must come down. 

I was hoping for a story that maturely and accurately discussed trauma, PTSD, and disabilities...with a side of sexiness (especially since the love-interest is her BOSS). I'll get to the point: this story was very one-note, very superficial, and very shallow. There was so much conversation of deep-seated trauma that was never explored. This book feels like it was written by a pack of men that just gave me the ick. It was such a good concept that was never developed and fell flat. 

Milo is this billionaire CEO who is known for being a horrible boss. In fact, he is verbally abusive and manipulative with his team. This is totally acceptable though because he has trauma. Wonderful! I am so glad we clarified that he is damaged and that is why his behavior is acceptable, even to the head of HR who watches all this happen. Whew. Milo is also extremely possessive with Serpahina, yuck. Both Milo and Seraphina are exceptionally co-dependent, it is very unhealthy. The male gaze is strong with this one. The romance and sex scenes felt so masculine and very cringey. The blurbs about her being completely waxed and hairless? How sexy, how seductive. Wrong. This felt so unnecessary and written by someone who does not appreciate or understand the female form, hairless or not.

I liked the ending that briefly touched on Seraphina's experience at the Morley house. I was more intrigued by Robbie and Molly's story and relationship. However, the mentality that "what you are going through is not THAT bad. It could always be worse. You could be like Billy and be completely paralyzed. So don't feel sorry for yourself, feel sorry for someone who has it worse." HORRIBLE. WRONG. NO.

Please, just save yourself the trouble. Don't read it. Ever. I feel like I have wasted so much energy finishing this book and having to write a review on it. 

Quotes:

"You have me Seraphina," he rasped. "You definitely have me."

"He was fighting monsters the same way I was. They were just different monsters."

"My lost boy is no longer lost."

"Sweetheart, I've had a guardian angel since the day you walked into my life. My elevator angel. My fiery one. My Seraphina."

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

 

"You have no idea, do you? The lengths I'd go if you'd let me. What I'd do to make you happy."

TW: disordered eating, mental health, toxic friendships, near-death experiences, death of a parent, slut-shaming

Release Date: November 22, 2022

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

He's the one thing she couldn't plan for.

Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. It looks like everything is going according to plan when she gets a full scholarship to the University of California, Maple Hills, and lands a place on their competitive figure skating team.

Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.

Nate's focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team - including Anastasia, who clearly can't stand him.

But when Anastasia's skating partner faces an uncertain future, she may have to look to Nate to take her shot.

Sparks fly, but Anastasia isn't worried...because she could never like a hockey player, right? 

Review:

DEVOURED. RAVAGED. DEMOLISHED. 

I absolutely DEVOURED this book in less than 48 hours. I ate this shit up, licked my fingers clean, and left no crumbs. 

SCRUMPTIOUS. MOUTHWATERING. DELECTABLE.

This book was utterly SCCRUMPTIOUS. I had seen it all over Bookstagram and knew I needed to read it at some point. I was entirely underprepared for how magnificent it would be. 

 I had never read a proper sports romance novel and this definitely delivered. The ice skater x hockey player trope is so fantastic. This very much gives me Cutting Edge vibes. I'm so hooked. I need to read more of this trope! 

The chemistry between Anastasia and Nate is astounding. Their connection leaps off the pages! I know a lot of people did not like Anastasia at first but she is exactly what I expected when her character was first introduced. I really appreciated getting to know the depth of Anastasia, know her deepest-darkest thoughts, and watch her interactions/budding relationships with other characters. On the flip side, can I get an order Nate Hawkins to-go please? Thank you! He is the perfect book boyfriend. Nate is ABSOLUTELY written by a woman. 

"It's not porn. It's a romance book that happens to have a little bit of sex in it." You're damn right, Anastasia. HOWEVER, for a book that is set on the ice, the smutty parts in this book were STEAMING HOT. SPICY. MUY CALIENTE. Chef's kiss. While there was quite a healthy dose of smut in this book, it was more than just the physicality of these scenes. Both of our protagonists are very physical, sex positive people. There were many soft moments during sex that allowed good insight to the characters and their relationship with each other. While also being just damn right delectable. 

I was fully prepared for a cheesy, smutty romance (which it definitely was) but in the most delicious ways while also having our main protagonists tackle some really tough experiences together. This book touched on some very mature topics while also demonstrating very healthy, communicative relationships.

An abundance of amazing side characters: Lola, all the hockey players, the coaches, Nate's sister and Anastasia's parents. I felt like I was part of their little family, this little community. It was so funny and so amazing to read. Russ, one of the hockey players, is getting his own spin-off novel called Wildfire (set to come out late 2023). Anastasia's relationship, specifically, with Henry was so heartwarming. Henry is such a great character, I hope he gets his own spin-off novel too! Also, how amazing Anastasia's family is and how great her parents are with Nathan. So precious.

This book was phenomenal from start to finish. This easily gets 5 out of 5 bunnies without-a-doubt. We have your enemies-to-lovers, reverse grumpy x sunshine, sports romance, spicy, showcases healthy relationships, and down right hilarious. If you haven't read this yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? I highly recommend you pick this up. It will not disappoint! 

*Also the playlist provided at the beginning of the book is FIRE. It is so good. 

Quotes: 

"Looking at her makes me want to be the funniest guy in the room, so I can be the one to make her laugh."

"You have no idea, do you? The lengths I'd go to if you'd let me. What I'd do to make you happy."

"Of course, I know you really well, Anastasia. You're my favorite subject."

"Don't give me that shit. I've seen what you have on your smutty bookshelf."

"You're my favorite," I whisper, leaning in to kiss her flushed cheek. "Even if I had crab hands?" "Even if you had crab hands, Anastasia."

"Let it all out. You're safe. I'm here."

"She's taught me communicating doesn't mean everything is perfect, it doesn't mean we don't disagree. It means we work through the imperfect bit together, and if we don't agree, we at least know why the other feels that way, even if it's not going to change our minds. We're still individuals, but we're individuals together, and I never knew relationships could be like this."

"Falling in love with Nathan Hawkins was not something I could have planned. No planner, iPad, or freaking sticker chart could have prepared me for my future. My imagination isn't capable of dreaming up this level of happiness." 

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

 

"You've found a very peaceful place here. A special place. You've planted something, and now its blossoming. Very nice. A good spot to rest. My thanks to you for letting an old-timer shade under the branches of what you've grown."

Release Date: February 2022 

Genre: Fantasy

Rating:

Summary: 

After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time. The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But rivals old and new stand in the way of success-not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea of what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, a flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed up, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

Review:

This book is the embodiment of warmth. Warmth from a fuzzy blanket, a freshly brewed cup of coffee, pastries out of the oven, a big hug. 

I have fallen absolutely head over heels, so deeply in love with this book and its characters. From start to finish, it was the perfect escape from reality to this comforting, slice-of-life story. 

This book is not about epic battles and bloodshed. Those are stories from a time long ago. This is about re-writing your storybook. "Things don't have to stay as what they started out as." This book is about discovering your family, choosing your family. It is about finding home. All beautiful themes nestled between scrumptious descriptions of aromatic coffee and mouthwatering pastries.

Fun fact, when I am not reading and posting bookstagram content, I am a gamer. I won't spend too much time discussing gaming (as that is for an entirely different Instagram account of mine) but for 14 years, I played World of Warcraft. I grew up playing this magical game. I have since stopped playing the game but I have such fond memories. Legends & lattes immediately conjured those nostalgic memories. It felt like no time had passed at all. I really appreciate this book for transporting me to such a wonderful time in my life that I was always worried I'd never get to experience again. 

When reading this book, I always made sure to be accompanied by a warm beverage, tavern ambience music in the background, and dim-lighting. It really set the perfect scene for reading this beautiful story. I highly recommend. 

This book is comfort. It is warmth. It is peace. It is home. I urge you to take a break out of your busy schedule, pull up a cozy seat, and disappear into this wholesome tale. 

Quotes: 

"Things don't have to stay as what they started out as."

"After twenty-two years of adventuring, Viv had reached her limit of blood and mud and bullshit. An orc's life was strength and violence and a sudden, sharp end-but she'd be damned if she'd let hers finish that way. It was time for something new."

"People just sat around drinking it from these little ceramic cups, and I had to try it, and...it was like drinking the feeling of being peaceful. Being peaceful in your mind. Well, not if you have too much, then it's something else."

"Well, shit. Milky bean water. I'll be damned." 

"The combined aromas of hot cinnamon, ground coffee, and sweet cardamom intoxicated her, and as she brewed and smiled and served and chatted, a deep contentment welled up. It was a glowing warmth she'd never experienced before, and she liked it. She liked it a great deal." 

"She was smiling, and for the first time, the building, the city, this place...felt like hers. A place she'd still be tomorrow, the week after, next season, next year...home."

"You've found a very peaceful place here. A special place. You've planted something, and now its blossoming. Very nice. A good spot to rest. My thanks to you for letting an old-timer shade under the branches of what you've grown."

"What flames could not consume, never shall be extinguished."

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne

"You're the thousand-dollar dress on the rack in this thrift store and I can't believe no one's picked you up yet." 

Release Date: April 13, 2021 

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

Ruthie Midona has worked the front desk at Providence Retirement Villa for years, living on-site at the beck and call of the wealthy residents-and the rare tortoises that roam the manicured lawns. She has her routine, and not much ever changes. Until she lays eyes on Teddy Prescot, the son of Providence's new owner and her new neighbor. Tall, tattooed, and with the most magical hair on Earth (just ask him), Teddy's in town saving up money to pursue his dream of opening a tattoo shop. He's the definition of risky, and Ruthie's dazzled at first sight-until he mistakes her for a little old lady. 

Luckily, Ruthie has the perfect revenge for Teddy's insulting first impression. Her most eccentric residents have just placed (yet another!) ad seeking a personal assistant to torment. The Parlonis are ninety-year-old, miniature menaces, and not one of their assistants has lasted a week. Ruthie knows a quitter when she sees one and is more than happy to offer up Teddy.

To Ruthie's surprise, Teddy proves to be the ultimate hire, charming his way through the entire villa and into her heart with his joyful, never-serious outlook on life. But with the future of Providence hanging in the balance, and Teddy's family's plans threatening to shatter Ruthie's safe little universe, will Teddy be there when it really counts? 

Review: 

Let me tell you, I was starting to question my judgement. I was starting to think, am I too picky? Should I be lowering my expectations and standards for books? Why am I having such a hard time falling in love with them? Second First Impressions swept me off my feet and had me mesmerized. This book made me realize that you must be patient while you're waiting for "the one." I am melting. My heart is an ooey-gooey mess filled with an abundance of warmth and love. This book was utter perfection and had me captivated from the start. 

This was another book I picked up on a whim while strolling through Barnes & Nobles (with no intention of picking up this book at all). I had picked this up alongside Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert in a fantastic buy one, get one 50% off. We love books and books that are a great deal! 

I was immediately drawn in by two things: tortoises and bad boys. What a combination. The premise and setting of this book are so unique and very niche. I adore books that bring me into someone's special little world. Sally Thorne was able to do just that, I felt intrinsically connected to the little world of Providence Retirement Villa. I also feel that this would be a phenomenal book to turn into a movie BUT ONLY IF IT IS WELL DONE. We will need Sally Thorne on set but I also volunteer my services to help with casting, directing, and production. Count me in. 

I do not even know where to begin with this review as I loved everything in this book from the first to the very last page. This was perfection. How many other words can I come up with for perfection? Flawless, sublime, magnificent, exquisite, immaculate. I am also writing this review with Taylor Swift's Lover playing on repeat because this song gives me the same vibes as Second First Impressions. Highly recommend. 

Ruthie Midona and Teddy Prescott are POLAR opposites who have this undeniable, electrifying chemistry...even if their first impressions of each other were not very good. Their connection literally leaps off the pages and into your heart. There is instant chemistry, but this is a SLOW BURN, baby. I am here for it, let me wait, let me stew, let me yearn. They are enemies, friends, then lovers. My absolute favorite. I will say that after this slow burn when Ruthie and Teddy finally were able to consummate their affections, that was a bit lackluster for me after waiting for so long. HOWEVER, Ruthie is fairly underdeveloped and inexperienced when it comes to relationships and especially intimacy. Once I remembered Ruthie's significant lack of experience and her previous poor encounter, the writing for the sex makes complete sense. This was not an experienced woman having sex. This is sheltered, young woman who was essentially experiencing her first time all over again...but the right way this time! That made me realize how precious this moment was and how carefully selected the writing was. I would have also loved Teddy's perspective of their first time together, especially since Teddy has the experience when it comes to sex but not to intimacy, not to romance. That would have been such a treat but I will be happy with Ruthie's perspective. 

The character development throughout this book from several characters! WOW! Applause, simply applause. I feel like I went on a journey with so many characters, even the antagonists of the book. I tend to prefer books that have flawed characters who experience development throughout the book. These flaws really humanize them and connect you to who they are but then you also get to grow with them throughout their story. This book is about never judging a book by its cover, growth, self-discovery. It is a book that features love but also shows love in many different forms of relationships. Melanie and Ruthie's new budding friendship, Ruthie's strained relationship with her parents, and Ruthie's relationship with Renata and Aggie. There were so many characters and so many storylines in this book and I was invested in every single one of them. I would have loved more insight into Teddy's relationship with his sisters, specifically Rose. I won't be too greedy though. I am very happy with how things ended, well...technically, the beginning of Teddy's relationship with his sister, Rose. 

I absolutely adored Renata and Aggie throughout the entire book. There were so many moments that made me laugh out loud, especially with Renata's quirks. The ultimate shock, they were LOVERS, not SISTERS! The LGBTQIA+ representation, I am here for it. I had a feelin toward the middle of the book that our beloved Parloni ladies were a lot closer than we had originally suspected but the reveal was even better. Such a sweet, heartfelt moment. 

Absolutely love the addition of the tortoises. As I work in veterinary medicine, the nods to the tortoises, sanctuaries, and Ruthie wanting to be a veterinarian, it really made me feel more connected to the characters and the story. It was so quirky and very adorable. Now that I am typing up this review, it does have me pondering: is the tortoise also a symbol of "slow and steady wins the race" in regard to Ruthie? Food for thought. 

I was looking at some reviews of Second First Impressions after I read it. I try not to read them before because I really do not like to have any pre-determined impressions or opinions of a book. It seems that there is a 50/50 divide of people who really love this book and people who hated this book. A lot of people seemed to feel that Ruthie was too boring, the romance was slow, there wasn't enough passion. I felt it was so refreshing. This book was such a breath of fresh air and really gave me the sense of coming home. It was such a sweet, tangible romance that I can grasp between my fingers and feel so deeply in my heart. The main character does not always need to be this super quirky, charming, fiery personality and the romance does not always need to be so passionate right away and the characters cannot keep their hands to themselves. I loved that it was quite the opposite of what I have been reading. It was very precious and very special. I did read someone stating that Ruthie and this book truly were the embodiment of the color beige, as if that is an insult. Beige truly is such a wonderful neutral color that can be so refreshing and looks wonderful with many colors, many different phases of life. Not everyone is a red, a neon green, or a hot pink, it is okay to be beige and to love being beige. 

Quotes: 

"You're the thousand-dollar dress on the rack in this thrift store and I can't believe non one's picked you up yet."

"Brown-eyed sublime being. She of soft, deep cardigan pockets. Bubble-bath taker. Pool jumper. Cheese provider. Sunset glower. Heaven sent."

"It hurts that you don't know you're lovely, exactly how you are. You don't need to change. You don't need to put on a dress, like it's going to fix something. You don't have anything that needs fixing."

"Don't seduce Ruthie if you don't plan on sticking around, because she's a tender treasure that must be protected at all costs."

"I always thought that love would feel like something gentle, but this isn't. I feel a clawing, desperate need to hold his heart in my hand and to fend off anything that might damage it."