Reading Wrap Up

https://youtu.be/iYBUNzHioHY 🌸 March Reading Wrap-Up: 14 Books, Countless Emotions 🌸 This month was a whirlwind of narratives, each offering a unique journey through love, mystery, fantasy, and self-discovery. Here’s an in-depth look at the 14 books that captivated my attention in March, complete with detailed summaries, my personal reviews, insights from fellow readers, and Goodreads ratings. 1. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia WilliamsSet in the vibrant heart of Harlem, this lush, lyrical love story follows Ricki, a fiercely independent florist with a passion for beauty and a quiet longing to belong. Enter Ezra—a captivating, enigmatic jazz musician whose presence feels like a secret whispered across time. What unfolds is not just a romance, but a layered exploration of fate, legacy, and the magic woven into everyday Black life. Tia Williams masterfully blends magical realism with contemporary romance, creating a world that feels both grounded and dreamlike. Harlem becomes more than a setting—it’s a character of its own, full of rhythm, history, and heart. My Review:The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is because I wasn’t obsessively reaching for it every spare moment—but make no mistake, I really loved it. The writing is rich and evocative, the pacing is tender and intentional, and the emotional depth is stunning. Ricki is charming, imperfect, and incredibly relatable. Ezra? Pure romantic mystery wrapped in vintage cool. Their connection felt soulful and timeless, and I especially appreciated how the book let Harlem’s culture and Black artistic history shine without ever feeling performative or forced. This is the kind of romance that sits with you—quietly powerful and full of heart. 📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.02 2. Under the Influence by Kimberly BrownAlanis has spent years surviving—managing motherhood, grief, and the wounds left behind by a toxic relationship. When My’Elli enters her life, he brings patience, understanding, and the kind of love that doesn’t demand, but offers. This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about healing, choosing yourself, and learning how to receive love without conditions. Set against a contemporary backdrop with deeply human stakes, Under the Influence is an emotionally rich exploration of trauma, trust, and transformation. Kimberly Brown writes with honesty and heat, unafraid to let her characters be messy, vulnerable, and fully real. My Review:This one hit differently. It’s heavy on the trigger warnings and unapologetically spicy, but it’s also layered with emotional nuance. What I appreciated most was how the story didn’t end when the couple got together. It pushed further—into the “what happens after”—which made it feel more complete and grounded in real love, not just attraction. There were a few small plot holes, but they didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it. Alanis felt like someone I’ve met in real life. Her growth, though subtle, felt earned. My’Elli? A soft yet strong male lead who meets her where she is—exactly how romance should be. 📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 4.35 3. Girls Like Us by Cristina AlgerNell Flynn is an FBI agent with a complicated past—and an even messier present. When she returns home after her father’s sudden death, she’s pulled into the murder investigation of two young women. As she digs deeper, disturbing questions begin to surface—not just about the case, but about her own father, a revered local cop who might not have been as clean as he seemed. Girls Like Us is a tightly-wound, character-driven thriller that balances police procedural pacing with psychological suspense. The setting—a suffocating, wealthy Long Island town—adds tension to every conversation and clue, and Alger doesn’t shy away from commentary on corruption, power, and systemic failures. My Review:This felt like a solid, no-frills mystery that did exactly what it promised. The pacing was quick without being rushed, and the tension built gradually, giving me just enough reason to keep flipping pages. I liked Nell—she’s sharp but not overly hard-edged, and her internal conflict about her father gave the story emotional weight. The plot didn’t blow my mind, but I appreciated how grounded it was. It’s not about shocking twists—it’s about uncovering truths that are uncomfortable because they’re plausible. A great pick if you like your thrillers lean, layered, and rooted in messy family secrets. 📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 3.80 4. I Invited Her In by Adele ParksWhat starts as a friendly reunion between college besties quickly spirals into a chilling, calculated unraveling. When Melanie welcomes her old friend Abigail into her home, she believes it’s just a temporary escape for a woman going through a rough divorce. But Abigail has other plans—dark, twisted, and decades in the making. This domestic thriller leans all the way into messy dynamics: jealousy, betrayal, obsession, and long-held secrets. It’s layered in manipulation and gaslighting, and while some moments stretch believability, they deliver on shock and suspense. If you’re in it for the drama, buckle up. My Review (⚠️ Spoilers ahead!):This book was wild. What felt like a simple “old friends reconnect” plot quickly became a revenge scheme I never saw coming. Abigail discovers that Melanie’s oldest son is actually the product of a fling she had with Abigail’s college boyfriend—who also became her ex-husband—and decides to seduce that son as payback. Yes. You read that right. Was it believable? Not really. Was I mad about it? Also no. I questioned Melanie constantly—how do you let someone back into your life after 20 years without asking questions?—but that was part of the fun. I read the last 60% in one sitting because I just had to see how far it would go. Unhinged, unpredictable, and packed with “wait, what?!” moments—this book knew exactly what it was doing. 📚 StoryGraph | 💬 Fable | ⭐ Goodreads: 3.68 5. The Journal of a Thousand Years by C.J. ArcherThe fifth installment in The Glass Library series, this novel continues the adventures of Sylvia and Gabe—a couple pulled into ancient secrets, magical relics, and complicated family histories. Just as Sylvia prepares to meet

https://youtu.be/M4OHlxWA9Qk 📚 Unscripted Book Tag: My Favorites, DNFs, and Unfiltered Thoughts Hey, hey y’all! Welcome back to the blog! Today we’re keeping it chill and chatty with an old-school book tag—no script, no prompter, just me pulling titles straight from my bookshelf and giving you my honest thoughts. This post is for the readers who love unscripted conversations, impulsive book recs, and raw reflections on what’s hot (or not) on the shelf. Let’s get into it! 🔢 How Many Books Are Too Many in a Series? Honestly? I love a long series—as long as I’m invested in the characters. Some of my favorite reads are part of lengthy sagas, like: The Riley Page Series by Blake PierceA fast-paced psychological thriller series following FBI Special Agent Riley Page, whose haunted past and sharp instincts make her a force in solving grisly murders. I’m on book 12, and I’m still hooked. If you’re someone who loves character-driven crime fiction, this is one to try. 📚 StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable The Jesse Hunt Series by Blake PierceJessie Hunt is a criminal profiler with trauma in her past and danger in her present. I’m on book 24 in this series! It’s intense, thrilling, and character-centric. 📚 StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable Even though I love a long-running story, my comfort zone is around five books. It gives time for proper character growth without overstaying the welcome. Duologies and trilogies are fun, but five feels like the sweet spot. 😱 How Do I Feel About Cliffhangers? This is a two-sided coin for me: As a reader: I’m not a fan. Cliffhangers drive me wild—especially if the next book isn’t out yet. I get emotionally invested and then bam, I have to wait a year? No thank you. However, if the full series is published, I’m fine with binging my way through. As a writer: I see the appeal. A well-done cliffhanger leaves readers itching for more. But being an indie author with a smaller audience and writing across genres, I hesitate. What if readers don’t come back? What if I don’t get to the sequel right away? Cliffhangers can be powerful, but timing and audience trust matter. 📕 Hardback or Paperback? This one’s easy—paperback all the way. I know hardbacks are beautiful and sturdy, but they’re also expensive. Paperbacks are more budget-friendly, lighter, and easier to toss in a bag. I’m a practical reader, and paperbacks just fit my life better. ❤️ Current Favorite Books (Top 3) 1. Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury This book caught me off guard in the best way. I borrowed it from Libby purely because the cover intrigued me—and then I couldn’t stop reading. It’s horror meets fantasy, dual POV (past and present), and follows two girls connected to a haunted mansion. In the past, Daisy has the ability to see ghosts. In the present, Britney runs a YouTube series that investigates forgotten Black girls, leading her straight to Daisy’s chilling history. The story unfolds across timelines, revealing secrets, trauma, and a few wild twists. 📚 StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable ★ 4/5 stars | Spooky, emotional, and beautifully written. 2. Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian Chloe is a freshman in college, part of a secret clinical study for diagnosed psychopaths. She’s also planning to murder the guy who wronged her in high school. Casual, right? This book is genius in how it portrays Chloe’s detached mindset. Written in third person, the narrative mirrors her emotionless perspective. You’re reading about insane things—yet it feels like you’re checking off a grocery list. It’s thrilling in a completely fresh way. 📚 StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable ★ 5/5 stars | Sharp, twisted, and absolutely addictive. 3. Metal Slinger by L.A. Goff Bren has always dreamed of attending the annual market on land—a right of passage for young warriors like her. But things don’t go as planned. What begins as a trading mission turns into a political and magical mess involving broken treaties and hidden identities. This is a fantasy with slow-burn romance, enemies to lovers, and multiple POVs. It took me a few chapters to figure out who was narrating, but that was intentional and masterfully done. 📚 Goodreads | Amazon ★ 4.75/5 stars | Deep worldbuilding, high stakes, and incredible twists. 👎 Least Favorite Books on My Shelf 1. And Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell Laurel’s daughter disappeared ten years ago. Now, she meets a man—and his daughter looks eerily like her missing child. Sounds intriguing, right? But for me, the suspense fell flat. I didn’t feel gripped. It reminded me of books like The Silent Patient where you’re supposed to be shocked, but I felt… meh. 📚 StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable 2. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen This was one of those viral thrillers I picked up out of curiosity. The premise is that nothing is what it seems with a woman, her ex-husband, and his new fiancée. It’s supposed to be full of twists, but I didn’t connect with it. I never finished it. 📚 StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable 💘 Love Triangles: Yay or Nay? I’m Team Yes! Love triangles can be so much fun when they’re well done. I love the “Team A vs. Team B” debates and seeing characters navigate messy feelings. They can fall flat when forced, but when layered and authentic? Chef’s kiss. 📚 Most Recent DNF The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed Set during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, this coming-of-age novel follows Ashley, a wealthy Black teen coming to terms with her identity. The writing is solid, and the themes are timely—but it’s very introspective and slow, which didn’t fit my reading mood. 📚 StoryGraph | Goodreads | Fable 📖 What I’m Currently Reading A Beast of War by Ayana Gray Book three in the Beasts of Prey trilogy. Kofi and Ekon’s journey reaches its climax in this fantasy filled with monsters, divine legacies, and soul-deep character arcs. I

https://youtu.be/EK4if8CV7DQ Hey Hey Y’all. What’s up?!  Tropes are like keys to hidden doors in literature. And I am here to unlock a few of them with you. These storytelling elements have been around forever, yet they never fail to lure us back for more. Like wandering through a shadowy library filled with ancient books, there’s something comforting and thrilling about knowing where the story might go, even when it surprises us. Today, let’s chat about some of my favorite tropes in fantasy and romance, all with a touch of that dark academia vibe I know you love. 1. Age Gap Romance You know the feeling: two people from different stages of life, bound by something inexplicable. The age gap trope explores the tension between experience and expectation. It’s all about whispered conversations under towering arches and finding a connection where you least expect it. Books that come to mind are Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas for a slow-burn romance and Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Mist and Fury for a high-fantasy twist on fate and desire. These stories remind us that sometimes, the beauty lies in how much time separates—or ultimately unites—us. However, I do not like the realistic age gap! I don’t know what it is. My idea of an enjoyable age gap is Quicksilver by Callie Hart – Shadow Daddies to the Rescue! For real, I’m okay with centuries a part, but not 20 years.  2. Enemies to Lovers Ah, enemies to lovers. This trope is the literary equivalent of a thunderstorm over an old manor house. You’ve got sharp words, fierce stares, and that undeniable spark. In One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, you’ll find secrets and rivalries and I am here for it 100%. For even more tension, dive into The Cruel Prince by Holly Black or From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout. If it’s on author I will recommend, it Armentrout. She is AWESOME! These stories pulse with electricity, and when that moment of realization hits—that they’re not so different after all—it’s like lightning striking. Sometimes they take forever to get there, but when that is written well I am all in.  3. Forced Proximity Picture this: an isolated mansion, thick with mist, where two characters are stuck together—for better or worse. Forced proximity creates those deliciously awkward and emotionally charged moments that reveal who people really are. Rachel Schneider’s Metal Slinger thrusts its characters into survival mode, and you’ll see walls—literal and emotional—crumble. If you’re more into romantic comedy, The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren or It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey turn up the heat and hilarity when characters are forced to endure each other’s company. It’s the ultimate test of patience—and attraction. 4. Fake Relationship There’s something so irresistible about a fake relationship, isn’t there? It’s a masquerade of emotions where both characters and readers wonder when reality will take over the charade. In The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, you’ll find humor and heart as two people pretend they’re a couple for science’s sake. Meanwhile, Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before captures the thrill and awkwardness of high school romance with its delightful fake-dating setup. These stories feel like secret letters you stumble upon, each line blurring the line between act and affection. 5. The Quest Who doesn’t love a good quest? It’s the backbone of epic fantasy, where characters set out into the unknown and find themselves along the way. Natasha Bowen’s Skin of the Sea and Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone take us on journeys steeped in myth and destiny, blending African lore with powerful storytelling. And of course, there’s the classic The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and the expansive world of The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. These quests are more than adventures; they’re transformative experiences that stay with you long after the last page. This comes to a close second behind enemies to lovers. There is just so much you can do with a quest, so many different avenues, and even though there is a typical ARC, it’s the journey that counts. In the video, I  go on a tangent about romance. How I don’t really like romance because it’s predictable, the ARC. I recommend Robbie Renee Somebody’s Husband as a book where the journey (The Quest) is good it makes up for the fact that I know they will get together.  Why Tropes Matter Here’s the thing about tropes: they’re familiar, imperfect, and full of character. Some people call them clichés, but I’d argue that’s missing the point. Tropes give us a foundation to build on. Whether it’s enemies finding common ground or heroes answering the call of adventure, these tropes hold a kind of magic that keeps us turning the pages. Spied: A Deceptive High Novel as well as Sister Assassins: Vigilante have their share of tropes! Write in the comments which ones they are.  So, go ahead. Step into these stories. Who knows what dreams, dangers, and destinies you’ll encounter?