Wednesday, February 21, 2024

ARC Review: The Space Between Us by Melanie Summers | Release Date: 2/29/2024



ARC Review: The Space Between Us by Melanie Summers 

Release Date: 2/29/2024

I just finished "The Space Between Us" by Melanie Summers and wow, absolutely loved!!! Summers' ability to blend laugh-out-loud humor with deeply touching moments is nothing short of masterful. The book is a blend of slow-burn romance and deep-seated emotional themes, gracefully tackling grief, family conflict, self-discovery, and professional pride/growth. The novel stands out not only for its engaging storytelling but also for its thoughtful approach to reader sensitivities, with Summers providing guidance on chapters that might be less suitable for those preferring a milder spice level. This book, with its rich character development, offers a refreshing take on romance and personal growth, earning a well-deserved 5/5 rating. Highly recommended for readers looking for a story that balances heartfelt depth with tantalizing romance, "The Space Between Us" proves to be a memorable read that leaves a lasting impression.

A heartfelt thank you to Melanie Summers and Gretz Corp for providing me with an ARC of this book!

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Thursday, February 15, 2024

Review: Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Yours TrulyYours Truly by Abby Jimenez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars




"Yours Truly" by Abby Jimenez captivated me with its endearing portrayal of social anxiety, which was handled with grace and authenticity. The letter-writing aspect of the story had me grinning from ear to ear, adding an extra layer of charm to the narrative. This book truly struck a chord with me, offering a refreshingly genuine love story that unfolds with warmth and sincerity. I appreciated how the romance developed naturally, mostly devoid of the frustrating miscommunication tropes that often plague similar novels. The characters are wonderfully relatable and likable, lending depth to the storyline. Honestly, I wouldn't change a single thing about this novel. If you're in search of a romance that is both heartwarming and authentic, with a male lead who is an absolute delight, "Yours Truly" is the perfect choice.

Favorite quote:
Imagine being the woman he picked to join him here. Having a gentle man like this one choose you to be a part of his private, insular world. To be as special as each thing he carefully surrounded himself with. How lucky that woman would be. And I wondered how Amy couldn’t have felt that way. How she could have had the love of a man like this one and not wanted it.


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Sunday, February 11, 2024

Review: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

The Bodyguard The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Definitely going to be one of my top romance reads of 2024.

"The Bodyguard" by Katherine Center is one of those books that just hits all the right notes, making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The characters, especially Hannah and Jack Stapleton, are the kind you can't help but fall in love with. They're so well-developed, showing real growth and transformation throughout the story that's both believable and deeply satisfying. And let's talk about Jack for a sec—total crush material. He's got that depth and charm that's just irresistible, pulling you deeper into their story with every page. Katherine Center's writing is, as always, a joy to dive into—uplifting, engaging, and just plain refreshing, offering the perfect balance between lighthearted moments and more profound, emotional depths without getting too spicy, which I really appreciate.

But what struck me the most was how the book, while it wraps you in a delightful rom-com package, doesn't shy away from heavier themes like grief. It's impressive how Center weaves these threads into the narrative, making "The Bodyguard" so much more than your typical love story. Seeing Hannah and Jack not only fall for each other but also become essential parts of each other's healing and growth was just beautiful. The way Hannah becomes part of Jack's family and helps him face his guilt and grief, really adds layers to the story that you don't always find in what you are expecting to just be a rom-com. It's a heartfelt read that leaves you feeling hopeful, a bit lighter, and completely enamored with Hannah, Jack, and their journey together.

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Friday, February 9, 2024

Navigating Imposter Syndrome as a New Bookstagrammer & Multi-Passionate Creative

Navigating Imposter Syndrome as a New Bookstagrammer

Witness the rapid transformation of my Instagram from a general hobby page to a full-fledged bookstagram, and how I'm navigating this exciting change.


 So, let me fill you in on the latest with my Instagram. Not too long ago (like a month ago), I decided to shake things up a bit. My page was your typical hobby-centric spot – a little bit of everything, reflecting whatever caught my fancy at the moment, mostly my Etsy shops and Procreate drawings. But, almost out of the blue, it's taken a sharp turn into bookstagram territory.

It's kind of wild how quickly it happened. Honestly, at first, I was thrown off. Here I am, someone who loves dabbling in a bit of everything, suddenly finding myself deep in the bookstagram world. And I had this moment of doubt – am I really a bookstagrammer? I mean, compared to those accounts where it's all books, all the time, I felt a bit out of place. Could I call myself a bookstagrammer when I change hobbies so often?

But then it hit me. Why can't I be a bookstagrammer? Who says that having a range of interests disqualifies me from being part of this community? I'm just as passionate about books as the next person, even if my page isn't exclusively books 24/7.

This realization was kind of a game-changer for me. I started to own this new bookstagram identity, without losing sight of my other hobbies. Sure, right now, books are taking center stage, but that doesn't mean I've lost my love for everything else. My page is a reflection of me – ever-changing, and always curious.

To anyone out there feeling like they can't fit into a specific niche because they love too many things – I get you. It's okay to have a page that's as multi-faceted as you are. Whether it's books today and something else tomorrow, what matters is that it's authentic to you.

So, here I am, rocking this new bookstagram label, trying to battle that imposter syndrome and use the label proudly and I'm excited to see where it takes me. It's a reminder that our interests can evolve, and our social media can be a canvas for that evolution.

<3 Bianca

Follow me on instagram: @fortheloveofitalll_

@biancamoodreads