Sophie Reads YA: September 2024

monthly summary

September Summary

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2023 New Release challenge

ARC Review: The Boyfriend Candidate (Fool Me Once #2) by Ashley Winstead

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The Boyfriend Candidate
Series: Fool Me Once #2
Author: Ashley Winstead
Published May 9th 2023 by Graydon House

Goodreads Synopsis
As a shy school librarian, Alexis Stone is comfortable keeping out of the spotlight. But when she's dumped for being too meek-in bed!-she decides she needs to change. And what better way to kick-start her new more adventurous life than with her first one-night stand?

Enter Logan, the gorgeous, foul-mouthed stranger she meets at a hotel bar. Audacious and filterless, Logan is Alexis's opposite-and boy, do opposites attract! Just as she's about to fulfill her hookup wish, the hotel catches fire in a freak lightning storm. In their rush to escape, Logan is discovered carrying her into the street, where people are waiting with cameras. Cameras Logan promptly-and shockingly-flees.

Alexis is bewildered until suddenly pictures of her and Logan escaping the fire are all over the internet. Turns out Logan is none other than Logan Arthur, the hotshot candidate challenging the Texas governor's seat. The salacious scandal is poised to sink his career-and jeopardize Alexis's job-until a solution is he and Alexis could pretend to be in a relationship until election day…in two months. What could possibly go wrong?
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

For shy librarian Alexis, she decides to get out of her comfort zone and have a one night stand after her ex dumps her for being too meek in bed. she meets the flirty and gorgeous Logan in a hotel bar and the sparks fly. He's her exact opposite, but seems perfect for her night of fun. But nature has other ideas, and when the hotel catches fire, they are forced to flee, and photos of Logan carrying Alexis out of the hotel in his arms soon take over the internet. Logan is not just a handsome stranger, but none other than Logan Arthur, the candidate for governor in Texas' upcoming election. He can't afford for a scandal to ruin his campaign, or Alexis' job, and so they agree to pretend to be in a relationship for the sake of the campaign. But will they remember it's not real, or not?

I found this book such a quick and fun read. Alexis and Logan were fantastic MCs, and they really hit it off. Thought nothing like each other, their personalities complemented each other perfectly, and brought out the best in each other. Yes their romance was initially transactional, but both of them fell hard, with Logan falling quickest. A great contemporary romance, with a dash of politics thrown in.

Dates Read:
November 12, 2023

Rating
4 Stars

Stacking the Shelves: September 28th 2024

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Review: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

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Bride
Series: None
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Published February 6th 2024 by Little, Brown Book Group

Goodreads Synopsis
A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast-again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold an historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange. Again.

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It's clear from the way he tracks Misery's every movement that he doesn't trust her. If only he knew how right he was...

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she's ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what's hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory... alone with the wolf.
Goodreads

Review
As the only daughter of a powerful Vampyre councilman, Misery Lark is forced to give up her anonymity and return to the world of Vampyres and Weres after living happily amongst the humans. As tensions between the Vampyres and Weres worsen, it's been agreed that Melody would marry the Were Alpha, Lowe Morland, in a marriage to bring peace and unity between the two sides. However neither really wants the marriage, and Melody has already once been used in the exchange, and wants her freedom. Both have ulterior motives to stay in the relationship for as long as possible, but neither expected that any real feelings would come from it, especially not when it means risking everything they've ever known.

I knew this would be different from Ali's other books, but I wasn't expecting to love it quite so much. Misery and Lowe were both fantastic characters, headstrong and passionate, and they cared deeply for those they loved. Misery's only friend, a human, goes missing, and the only clue links with the Were's and with Lower. She's willing to accept the marriage, if only to find out more about her friend, but hates her father, and the other Vampyres for forcing her into this situation. Expecting she'll probably be killed at some point by the 'viscious' Weres, she's shocked by how they protect her, albeit with reservations, as she's the wife of their Alpha. She's not fully accepted, but if Lowe is willing to marry, and stay married, to her, then the pack will follow that. Lowe has his own reasons for wanting to keep an important Vampyre close, but he's not expecting the depth of feelings that soon comes with Misery being around. Their romance was difficult, and fraught with danger, but was so perfect for the couple. I seriously hope that Ali writes more paranormal romances in the future, as this book was phenomenal!

Dates Read:
May 25, 2024

Rating
4 Stars

Charlotte Stein

Waiting On Wednesday: How to Help a Hungry Werewolf (The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures #1) by Charlotte Stein

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ARC Review: Royal Rising (Love in Laandia #3) by Holly Kerr

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Royal Rising
Series: Love in Laandia #3
Author: Holly Kerr
Published August 20th 2024 by Three Birds Press

Goodreads Synopsis
Prince Kalle does not want to be king. But will the right queen make him change his mind?

Kalle, eldest son of King Magnus of Laandia, is expected to be crowned king at his father’s untimely death.

(Hopefully not anytime soon—King Magnus is in good health. But still… sometime in the future Kalle is supposed to be king.)

Only he doesn’t want the crown.

Kalle, Laandia’s most celebrated jock (baseball, hockey, curling and now darts), is heading into another high-profile fling with a wealthy socialite. He’s the prince who will give you a good time but not the one you settle down with. In fact, Kalle would be perfectly happy staying single, keeping out of the media spotlight, and spending his days at his bar, The King’s Hat, which is managed by his best friend, Edie England.

Edie thinks Kalle would be a great king. So does (some of) Laandia. Friends with Kalle since a rocky driving lesson, Edie is the daughter of the groundskeeper at the castle and knows Kalle would make a good king. But Kalle doesn’t agree.

But King Magnus suggests Kalle should be looking for someone to share the role with. Stand beside him to rule Laandia. Be his queen.

Kalle likes that idea. But who will be his queen?

Royal Rising is the third book in the royal romance Love in Laandia series, a friends-to-lovers, low-heat, slow-burn sweet romance with late-night talking, bar fights, and a convenient power outage.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Prince Kalle was born to wear the crown, but that doesn't mean he wants it. As the oldest prince, he is next in line to the throne of Laandia, but he would rather spend his time in his pub, rather than in the throne room. And if he was to become king, he would need a strong queen by his side. The only person he would ever trust to do such an important job is his best friend and colleague, Edie, the daughter of the castle's groundskeeper, and the manager of The King's Hat. Edie has always been by his side, and he can picture her as his queen - but will he be able to convince her of that? And will he accept that he has feelings for her that are more than just platonic?

Okay, this is my favourite book in the series! Kalle and Edie are the best couple, and friends-to-lovers is an even better trope than enemies-to-lovers. I've always wanted to know just what Kalle was thinking in the previous books, as it was clear he didn't want to be the Crown Prince, and a lot of people, Kalle included, expected Odin to inherit the throne. But Odin dropped a bombshell at his wedding, and Kalle has no other choice than to accept he will be king - but his father is healthy, and there's no point in worrying. Until King Magnus falls ill, and Kalle is left to pick up the pieces. Edie really came into her own here, taking charge, and being there for the whole family, but especially for Kalle. Their relationship really developed over the course of the book, and they are the perfect couple, ready to be King and Queen when the time comes. I'm gutted I need to wait for Royal Reluctance but I know it will be well worth the wait!

Dates Read:
August 13, 2024

Rating
4 Stars

ARC Review: Royal Retelling (Love in Laandia #2) by Holly Kerr

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Royal Retelling
Series: Love in Laandia #2
Author: Holly Kerr
Published May 14th 2024 by Three Birds Press

Goodreads Synopsis
What if Prince Charming fell for the wicked step-sister?

The youngest son of the king of Laandia, Gunnar lives a charmed life, travelling the world without a thought of what’s going on in the kingdom. But when he’s called home for the royal wedding, Gunnar finds he has a big problem:

Prince Gunnar doesn’t have a date for the wedding.

And while this shouldn’t be a problem for the Playboy Prince, Gunnar has requirements: whoever he takes can’t take the attention away from the bride and groom, which would definitely happen with his jet-setting friends; and whoever he brings needs to know this is a one-time thing.

So when the town’s Sea Queen agrees to go with him, Gunnar is relieved—but her oh-so wicked stepsister, Stella, decrees it a very bad idea.

Once childhood friends, Stella now considers him more like a sworn enemy. Gunnar prefers to not think of her, because this Stella, who curses rather than curtsies, has a never-ending arsenal of insults that is a sure way to ruin his day.

But as the wedding approaches, and Gunnar spends more time with Stella, he starts to wonder that, in this fairy tale retelling, he’s picked the wrong sister.

Royal Retelling is the second in the Love in Laandia series, an enemies-to-lovers, sweet royal romcom, with sharp banter and sweet blushes, of brotherly love and royal duties and saving all the dogs in Laandia.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

For the young Prince Gunnar, he knows that he will never be king of Laandia, and he hasn't had to prove his worth to the people like his older brothers. After a rumour destroyed his relationship, and turned him into the playboy prince, Gunnar has been travelling the world and focusing on enjoying his life. But his brother is getting married, and as one of the groomsmen, he needs to come home, and find a date to be in the wedding party. The only catch: his date can't overshadow the happy couple, and they need to know that there's no chance of a relationship coming out of it. So the 'Sea Queen', and daughter of the mayor of Laandia's capital city would be perfect, right? Not when her stepsister is one of Gunnar's oldest childhood friends, who blames the entire royal family for her parents' divorce, and hates Gunnar with a passion. Stella needs to suck up her hurt feelings, and come to terms with her own guilt over the past. But as she and Gunnar are forced to spend more time together, it seems like the past might come back to bite them.

I think I liked this book even more than the first one. I always love enemies-to-lovers romances, especially when the couple has a past like Gunnar and Stella do. Stella is hiding the fact that she was the one who spread the rumour about Gunnar being a playboy, which led to his undeserved reputation. However, she feels vindicated after her father and older brother left the family to continue to serve the royal family, and she hasn't seen or spoken to them since. She was hurt and suffering, and took it out on the wrong person. When they spoke about it, I loved how understanding Gunnar was. He was definitely someone misunderstood by many, and he wanted to help, but was seen as someone unable to comprehend what was needed. He and Stella worked perfectly together, and I'm glad that Stella was proven not to be the evil stepsister, but was rather the heroine of the day!

Dates Read:
August 12, 2024

Rating
4 Stars

ARC Review: Royal Rumble (Love in Laandia #1) by Holly Kerr

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Royal Rumble
Series: Love in Laandia #1
Author: Holly Kerr
Published February 6th 2024 by Three Birds Press

Goodreads Synopsis
Prince Odin is desperate to fix his reputation. Lady Camille needs a husband. Can this arranged marriage end in true love?

Prince Odin expected to get the final rose on the reality romance TV show. But after spilling secrets on national TV, Odin is left humiliated and humbled when he’s sent home after his first date. He needs a win to show his country he’s still the People’s Prince.

Lady Camille simply needs a husband. Thanks to an inane, archaic rule, Camille needs to marry before she can rule her island nation. After six failed engagements, she’s done looking for love; she just wants someone who will leave her alone to look after her country.

An arrangement between Odin and Camille seems best for both kingdoms.

Except Odin and Camille have a past. And Odin just told the world about it on national television. Is there a way the spark between them can reignite, or will this royal rumble ruin everything?

Royal Rumble is an arranged marriage, friends-to-enemies-to lovers, closed-door, sweet romantic comedy full of missed opportunities and adorable dogs, sword fighting and snowballs.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Prince Odin of Laandia never expected he would be humiliated on national tv, and unwittingly reveals his deepest secrets in his shock. To save face, he organises for an arranged marriage to occur between himself, and his former friend and ex, Lady Camille of Saint Pierre, with the engagement being announced on the same night as his humiliation is aired. However, Camille is not excited by the marriage, as Odin broke her heart all those years ago, but in order to become prefect of her homeland, she needs to marry first, and she's already got a string of failed engagements under her belt. Odin is her final hope, but she's not about to let him forget he hurt her.

I'm going to admit that I've had this book on my NG shelf longer than I should have, and it was when the third book became available that I decided to binge them all. On one hand, I'm glad I waited because I could read all 3 in a few days, but also I wish I'd read this earlier as it was so good! Camille and Odin first met 10 years ago, when his family was visiting Saint Pierre, and they fell in love under the fireworks. Keeping in touch as pen pals, Odin soon stopped replying, breaking Camille's heart. Since then, she's been engaged 6 times, but all have fallen through as she's never been able to commit to a loveless marriage. Odin is her final hope so that she can inherit her rightful place as Prefect of the small French territory, and it hurts that she has to accept him. Odin never realised the depth of her feelings, but has always cared for her, and when he was a suitor on The Suitorette, he accidentally shared his love of Camille - naming her in the process - when he was rejected. Knowing it would be humiliating for the episode to air without something else to take attention from it, he organises the engagement, not seeing Camille until the moment it's announced, and she's pissed to say the least. The book was full of Odin and his brother's trying to work out how to solve their problems, and wooing Camille. The brother's have a really strong relationship, and it's so fun to see them in the the subsequent books continue with the camaraderie.

Dates Read:
August 10-11, 2024

Rating
4 Stars

Stacking the Shelves: September 21st 2024

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