The Promise of Rayne by Nicole Deese

4 Stars!!  🌟🌟🌟🌟 “Good character isn't produced overnight; it's grown over many seasons. In the same way you sort the good apples from the bad, the marks of poor characters are just as easy to detect.”  I absolutely loved this book!! It takes so many of my favorite characteristics and makes sort of an all in one! There is romance, family secrets, mystery, forbidden love, self discovery and faith. The characters are wholesome and give you all the good feels.  I love stories that are based around faith, forgiveness and hope without all the fluff. And I really appreciated that this felt like a realistic story from start to finish. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Search and Rescue by Lily Dodd

5 Stars!! 

This was such a fun quick read/listen. Its a short little story about a search and rescue.

Winner of the #SoundsHot Steamy Story Contest, a thrilling romantic novella brimming with raw emotional power - available in audio first! 

I was so shocked when I listened to this. I thought there is no way, short story or not- that this is going to be that good since its so short!! I was so wrong. I was pleasantly surprised with the level of the writer and the characters. I fell in love with these people so quick!! The author did a fantastic job of leading with this story- the breakdown and all the in between. So much so, that I would LOVE another FULL book in this type of setting from this author! 

I totally recommend if you're looking for a quick listen - this one was about 2.5 hours but soo soo good! I look forward to more from this author!!

Sugar and Gold by Emma Scott

5 Stars!! 

“Love and hope,” she said. “That’s life to me. Love for all the good that happens to you and the people you care about, and hope that any pain will be bearable or lessen in time.” 

Nick (Nickolai) was born with a condition that makes him special, a gift he wishes he could give away. Peoples feelings and emotions, he can see, feel and taste them- all around. He roams the US- stays moving so that he can outrun the thoughts and feelings of others. Until he meets her. 

Fiona was trapped- and in a bad relationship she never thought she would break from, until she does. Then finds a new home in Georgia. She makes a new life for herself - one that she is in charge of. She tells herself its time for her to enjoy her life....until a chance encounter with a tattooed stranger changes everything… 

I loved this book! It was very unique, with sort of like a magical realism trope feeling. The whole concept sucks you in because you want to know more about his ability and how it works. I loved the characters and the depth they had. I really enjoyed the story and honestly thought it was a brilliant way to get the reader immersed. 

This is a part 2 I think to the book How to Save A Life- also by Emma Scott. I did read it a long time ago and I know that I loved it- I just cant remember what it was about. But dont let that scare you, because this one can be read as a stand alone. 

Hold tight to your emotions, because they will be heightened in this one!! So many secrets to be revealed and twists to keep you engaged. You wont want to put it down! I love Emma Scott's writing! Highly recommend !!

The Wish Collector by Mia Sherdian

4 Stars!! 

“I believe everyone deserves grace, Clara. What you will have to ask yourself is if you should offer that grace from near or from afar. Offering grace does not mean offering your heart. That, my darlin’, must be protected at all cost.” 



This was such a fun and dreamy read. It takes place in New Orleans, and I got to read it this week while in New Orleans. That made it so worth it! Everything, all the culture and sights from the book came to life. 

Clara- a ballet dancer, gets the shot of a lifetime to work at the New Orleans Ballet. In order to follow her dream, she has to leave her father who has Alzheimer's which is very hard for her but she does it. After being in New Orleans for a while, she hears a story from her neighbor about the Weeping Wall located at Windisle Plantation. Its magic and story, consumes Clara. She goes to the wall and meets a stranger behind it all. 

Jonah, a highshot lawyer once upon a time, now lives in isolation because of something tragic that happened over 8 years ago. Consumed with guilt Jonah never leaves his home, which just so happens to be at Windisle Plantation. One day he receives a wish behind the wall, and hears a voice which turns his life - totally upside down. 



This book was so whimsical. There is a story within a story told here and it worked perfectly. There were a few different mysteries all going on at the same time which made the whole thing that much more amazing. I really enjoyed all of the mentions of New Orleans history and all the legends and tales told about it!

The Butterfly Project by Emma Scott

5 Stars!! 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I once read that you fell in love like how you fell asleep: slowly at first and then all at once.”

Zelda, is running from her past- but at the same time trying to make a future. She goes to New York to try and get her Comic Book published. It means the world to her because it is based on something very important to her. One night- she runs into a guy named Beckett, a guy who needs a second change- forgiveness and freedom of his past. 

Emma Scott - You are a Genius! This book was amazing, and so very different! I loved seeing the comic book strips through out the book and seeing how it would change, as the story developed. The characters were swoon worthy and lovable. The Butterfly Project was a story about two tortured souls- Zelda and Beckett, finding love, friendship and something neither of them would have expected. 

This was a 2019 TOP FAV- I recommend this one to the masses :P And all of Emma Scotts books!

A Wish For Us by Tillie Cole

5 Violet Blue Stars!! 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think my heart is ready to review this... 



Tillie- Tillie - Tillie cant you see... Sometimes your words just hypnotize me. I swear, I think she is a Wizard when it comes to words...



Its like she takes her time, sprinkling in all the feels... 

A Wish For Us is something that will stick with you forever. I usually give a little preview of what the book is about but Im not doing that with this one. See, I've been needing to read this for a while but, I know how Miss Coles books work. So I put it off for a while but here we are... in the aftermath and I am just so glad I went into this one blind. And for that reason, I feel like you should too. You can thank me later. 

This book wrecked me, but in a good sort of way. It captures you from the start and doesn't let up until the very end. Fair warning- you will cry... or at the very least, you will want to. You will want to snuggle up and have no distractions. You'll be transported into this story, and not want to come out. 

The writing is beautiful, and the characters are filled to the brim with depth. A lot of the story line is based on music and I am a music junkie. So that made it even better for me. And the way Cole writes about the music- took my breath away. There is also an amazing physical condition talked about in this book that I have never heard of and that made this book come alive. Im not telling you what it is- just go read it. I promise you wont be disappointed!! :P

The Bride Test by, Helen Hoang

5 Stars!!
“I only want you to be yourself with me.”


Helen Hoang is quickly becoming an auto buy author on my list of Favorites ! Her writing is amazing and her books, are super cute and adorable. They also shine a light on many topics that need to be talked about more. This is an own voices novel- in 2016 she was diagnosed with Autism herself- which inspired the Kiss Quotient and now The Bride Test.

I know most people loved the Kiss Quotient more-BUT- I am a minority and absolutely adored this one!! This book is following a couple of characters who we originally met in The Kiss Quotient. We may only see those characters for a minute- but you cant help but smile once you put the pieces together.

I don't want to say much about the plot- because to me, its such a treat to go into them blind- but I highly recommend these books!! Especially if you have any interest about autism and the autistic community. Hoang writes from experience and its like a breath of fresh air!! I cant wait to see what book 3 will be about and if we get to see all the characters we fell in love with again

Ryans Bed by Tijan

4.5 Stars!! 

"My face. My body. My heart -
it all went with her, because she was me.
My twin sister killed herself on June twenty-ninth.
We would've been eighteen the next day.” 

Mackenzie, her twin sister Willow, brother Robbie and parents, have just moved - due to her fathers new job. She doesn't know anyone or anything about the new place they now live. Mackenzie thinks she is just the normal sibling- just average, since her two siblings and parents are all extraordinary. And in Macs mind- shes less than. One day not too long after the move, Mackenzie's life is turned upside down when her twin sister Willow, commits suicide. 

Mac is the one who finds her- and she is completely void of emotion. She cant eat or think- everything seems to be falling apart around her. Then she finds herself in Ryan's Bed, a boy she barely knows. Her parents sent her and her brother to a friends, (Ryan's House) so that they could sort out all the details of the death. She ends up in his bed thinking it was his sisters- because its the only place she feels safe for whatever reason. 

I woke that morning in Ryan’s arms, I felt a little less crazy. I felt a little bit better. And I felt a little more whole.

I absolutely loved this story and the characters. Mac broke my heart the entire book because of the pain and dissociation she has with everything since losing her sister. I love Tijan - and this is one of her best yet. I love the way she writes such gripping characters. The kind you can feel along with. When the MCS are in pain you feel it too- You feel everything. 

Ryan was suchhhh a sweetheart!! I absolutely loved how amazing he was for her and how he was just everything she needed in the moment - no matter how crazy she was, he was right there helping and consoling her! Their chemistry was fabulous! 

This book was not easy to read, its about grief and what goes on in the person left behind after a suicide. There are some dark moments but also happy moments. Its filled to the brim with emotions. I overall- really enjoyed this one and Tijan continues to be one of my top Faves!

Bennett Mafia by, Tijan

4 Stars!!
“Actions matter. To be reckless with words is to be selfish, and combine that with power, and it is dangerous. Be better.”

Riley grew up with wealth but the cost wasn't cheap. She also went to boarding school, and her roommate Brooke- turned out to be a Mafia Princess. But that was in the past- opportunity for a fresh slate presents itself and Riley jumps in headfirst in hopes to escape her old life. She was willing to do anything to protect herself from what haunts her.

Tijan did it AGAIN!! I just love how she pours everything into her characters and makes the story come to life. She did her homework for sure!!! This was hardcore and a little hard to read at times. There are some pretty dark themes that are talked about but, it is a mafia book, so its to be expected. I will say that she did not hold back AT ALL for this one!

Riley was an ok main character. She did get under my skin just a little bit because at times she could be a little dramatic. And I felt like we were supposed to think she was a bad ass but she didn't really fit that mold for me... we never really got to see her in her element only talked about it. All the Bennett siblings were great. I did not know what to think of Kai at first. He is a legit MOB BOSS. He was brutal and at times you wanted to just hate him but love him at the same time. The chemistry between Kai and Riley felt sorta forced in the beginning but as the book went on I was able to look past it.

There was SO MUCH happening in this book!! I loved that the most. There was never a dull moment and things happened quickly. I hope that Tijan decides to write more off this series but for now its sadly just a stand alone. But I have a feeling we might see more of these characters later on- that's not confirmed though, just a hunch and hope that I have ! If you are a fan of Tijan- you will definitely want to add this to your TBR ;)

Under Locke by, Mariana Zapata

4 Stars!!
“And love without respect and appreciation isn’t actually anything. It’s worthless."

In Under Locke we follow MC Iris, her life has only been one hard time after another. She never really catches a break. With hopes that all of the tragedy is in the past, she decides to move to Texas to live with her half brother Sonny, who also got her a job working at a tattoo shop. That's where she meets her new boss, Dex. AKA Charlie... You know I couldn't help but think of another Charlie :P



Dex is not known for holding his tongue. Which Iris finds out real quick. He owns the shop - and is also part of a Motorcycle Club. Dropped into a new world that Iris is not used to, she is at a loss. She doesn't know if she will be able to fit in with these guys who curse about everything, and ride on two wheels.

Dex was an ASS!! At first :P Aren't they all though?? SIGH- But he does grow on you. I thought Iris was great!! I loved her personality and her character growth over the course of the book. She goes from being intimidated to holding her own with these broods in the MC. The side characters were also interesting. I wish that this would have been a series - but its still a great stand alone!!

This isn't a normal Motorcycle Club book. They don't really handle anything heavy as far as subject matter ( Drugs guns etc.) so that was a nice change. It was an actual legit MC - without the ACTION/DRAMA. There is still a ton of action and a slow burning romance which, lets face it.... Zapata is the queen of the slow-burn!!

I really enjoyed this one!! Dex had my heart by the end of the book and it left me swooning. I would totally recommend!

Letters to the Lost by, Brigid Kemmerer

5 Stars!!
“We're all united by grief, and somehow divided by the same thing.”

In Letters to the Lost, we follow Juliet and Declan. Juliet lost her mother in a hit and run accident. To cope, she starts to write letters to her by leaving them on her grave. Declan is also familiar with tragedy. One day while working community service at the Graveyard, he stumbles across a letter on a grave. He reads it and realizes he can relate- So he decides to respond to this letter with only two words- "Me Too." This starts the beginning of something more than just correspondence. It opens a gateway to healing, and leads them down the road to answers they both desperately crave.

Not exactly sure what I was expecting- I knew this was going to be a book about letters sent- but no idea to who, or why. Lets just say my heart wasn't ready!! This book was dark, deep, painful, and hopeful! Hits you right in the belly of feels.



I am pretty sure I felt every emotion- In tone- this is a very serious book. Its Ya and I love how the teenagers are represented. Their thoughts are on point. I feel that the writing was fantastic and had a true voice. It flowed smoothly and the pace was perfection. I didn't want to put it down.

The letters that were written were so thought provoking- deep and heartfelt. You feel the pain and anguish of each character which allows you to immediately connect with them. There are lots of themes going on in this book like friendship, betrayal, loss, bullying, healing. It will yank your chain- pinky promise!!



My favorite part of the book is the anonymity. Something about not knowing who you are writing to, allows one to open up completely. Their feelings are raw and really pack a punch.

“Do you believe in fate? Sometimes I want to. I want to believe that we all walk some path toward… something, and our paths intertwine for a reason. Like this, the way we’ve found each other. The way you told me the right story when I so desperately needed to hear it.”

I keep talking about the feelings- there are happy feelings too so its not all dark and depressing. We truly get to see these characters connect and go through a process. It does have a HEA- so you will finish with a huge smile on your face - so don't be scared to pick it up! Its well worth it :P