Hi Friends! I read a ton of books for my last round up of March. I read 8 books and DNF’d 2. 5 of the 8 books were backlist titles for me and I am so happy to have read them. Still really behind on reviews so I am just giving my thoughts, let me know if you have any questions or comments on any of these books!
A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn – 4 Stars This was the fifth book in the Veronica Speedwell series and I think this one could be my least favorite in the series. I still enjoyed it and gave it 4 stars but I think it is the least memorable. Veronica and Stoker are tasked with helping the Royal family and this is during the height of the Ripper murders so this book dealt a lot with that. A bit darker in tone then the others as well.
Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews – 4 Stars I finally got to book 4 in this series or book 1 in the new part of this series. We started following the middle sister in this book and I still love Ilona Andrews writing, her books are always so well written and the world building is great! This is an urban fantasy/paranormal romance that follows a family as the deal with other magical houses and the politics that go with having magic. Highly recommend this series!
Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews – 4 Stars This is the next book in the series and I am now caught up for when the next one comes out later this year. We are still following the same sister in this one and I am curious as to where the next one will go.
Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez – 4 Stars After pretty much hating the authors first two books I was not going to pick this one up but I kept seeing so many good things about that I decided on a whim to get it. I am so glad I picked this one up. It still has her style of dealing with heavy topics but I liked how it was handled in this one, definitely check out content warnings for this one. The relationship between the two characters was so good and I could not put this one down! Highly recommend!
Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron – 4 Stars I am a sucker for a Jane Austen retelling and even though Emma is one of my least favorites I still enjoyed this one. Kamila is good at setting up her friends and throwing parties but not taken too seriously and this was a theme throughout the entire book. Loved seeing all the parallels and also the changes that were made. Not sure if I missed the Miss Bates character or not.
The Other Side of Midnight by Simone St. James – 5 Stars Simone St. James could be one of my top 5 favorite authors and her books rarely disappoint! This one follows a medium who can find lost things and is contacted by a man to look into the death of another medium when a seance goes wrong. I love how all of her older books take place in England just after WWI and deal with the paranormal. We also get a character from a previous book in this one and I always enjoy visiting past characters.
Silence For The Dead by Simone St. James – 5 Stars This book is one of my favorites, it is set in a house that is being used for a home for soldiers who are suffering from trauma from the war. I loved following the stories of the men who were living there and the nurses who took care of them. I also really liked the setting for this one an dit added a lot to the story.
Lost Among The Living by Simone St. James – 4 Stars This one was on track to probably be my favorite of her older books as I really liked the characters in this one. This one had the strongest romance in it and I lobed it. However, I was left wanting more info with part of the plot. I felt like the supernatural aspect wasn’t explained enough and it was just very vague but overall it was still great!
A Curse In Ash by Julie Zantopoulos – DNF I really wanted to like this one because I have been following the authors youtube channel for years! This one is a fantasy series that follows a witch who is working with the police while also dealing with fae politics. It was pretty easy to follow but I just felt everything felt very YA to me and I am just not enjoying books following characters in their teens or early twenties. I might try this one again at some point not sure yet.
The Shaadi Set-Up – DNF I got about 30% into this one and I just did not care at all! I was also annoyed that the main character is in a relationship and trying to make it work while having very mature thoughts about her ex who suddenly shows up in her life again. Not for me.
BeckyBookstore 