Books · Monthly Tags

January 2021 – Monthly Book Wrap Up

January 2021 - Monthly Book Wrap Up

Welcome to the January Book Wrap Up!

I can’t believe that January is gone and it’s time for a January Wrap Up. To be quite honest, it doesn’t feel like 2020 is over yet. I don’t feel like we are now in a new year. However, I’m quite excited to see what February has to bring.

Rating Stats

I read 7 books in total. I ended up giving 1 5-star rating, 5 4-star ratings and 1 3-star rating.

Books I read in January:

~ To read my book reviews – click on the book titles! 🙂

1. Last One to Die by Cynthia Murphy – ★★★★★

A girl moves to London, and some girls she meets end up attacked and murdered. When she realises that they all look a lot like her, she knows she’s in danger as well.

If you love YA thrillers, with horror elements and supernatural moments, don’t miss this one. This trope is now on my books. It might even be my favorite genre if my next reads are good as well. Cynthia Murphy as an author is also now on my list. I will make sure to read the next book she writes! I couldn’t recommend it enough!

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK | Amazon US

2. Our Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent – ★★★★

Three brothers, and one of them is now dead. Through the years they were all rivals, and now we get to know their secrets, and why one of them was murdered.

Our Little Cruelties is the perfect thriller to make you wonder how dysfunctional your family is. It is gripping and dark from the very first pages, and keeps this atmosphere until the very end. I loved it and I definitely suggest you pick it up.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK | Amazon US

3. Keeper by Jessica Moor – ★★★★

When a body of a woman is found dead in a river, the police assumes it’s a suicide. But the women from the refuge center where she worked think it’s a murder. A thriller about a crime investigation, and domestic violence victims.

Beautiful fast-paced thriller that you can’t put down, with amazing plot twists and topics so unfortunately common and infuriating! I definitely recommend it, you won’t be able to forget Keeper easily.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK | Amazon US

4. The Push by Ashley Audrain – ★★★★

When Blythe has her first child, she hopes history won’t repeat itself and she gives Violet all the love! But something is not right and Blythe is the only one that can notice. When even her husband doesn’t believe her, and awful things start happening, her whole life is in jeopardy. Blythe will try anything to save her marriage, and get Violet to love her…

I stayed up all night, flipping pages and I loved that! The short chapters and the many plot twists are what made The Push unputdownable for me. The Push was a very interesting and dark psychological thriller. Extremely fast-paced and full of plot twists. If you are looking for something to keep you on your toes, look no further.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK | Amazon US

5. The Glass House by Eve Chase – ★★★

The Glass House tells a lovely tale about how secrets can connect two completely different families. And also how fate can reunite them. Written in two different timelines and different characters, we slowly uncover all the secrets people have kept over the years.

The Glass House was a very good book, and I enjoyed it a lot. However, it lacked some mystery elements, which was the main reason I picked it up. I still enjoyed the family drama and secrets element, but it lacked suspense, and I could predict all the plot twists. The writing was beautiful though, and it kept me entertained until I finished it.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK | Amazon US

6. Badass Habits by Jen Sincero – ★★★★

If you want to form new badass habits, or replace your old bad habits, this is definitely the book you need! Through a step-by-step guide over 21 days, you will be in a completely different mindset and will be ready to tackle anything coming your way.

I only went in with the intention to start drinking water more consistently, and I managed to achieve so much more! I feel like a completely different person and a much healthier one.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK | Amazon US

7. We Played With Fire by Catherine Barter – ★★★★

Maggie has witnessed impossible things. But no one believes her, and now her family has taken her away to spend the winter upstate in a remote, freezing farmhouse.

Bored and angry, Maggie and her younger sister Kate start to play tricks: rapping on the floorboards above their parents’ bedroom, cracking their toes under the table, and telling tales about noises in the night. Then the house starts to make sounds of its own. Neither Maggie nor Kate can explain it, but it seems as though someone – or something – is trying to speak to them…

The perfect eerie book to give you the shivers and transport you to a 19th century. Imagine an old house full of candles and knocking sounds coming out of nowhere. If you love horror and ghost stories of the past, pick up We Played With Fire today!

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK | Amazon US

And that is my January Wrap up! How was your January Wrap Up? How many books did you read? Let me know! I love reading your comments! 

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Books · Monthly Tags

November 2019 – Monthly Book Wrap Up

november 2019 monthly book wrap up book books blog blogging reading goodreads netgalley diary of difference

Welcome to the November Book Wrap Up!

I can’t believe it’s December already! I am so excited for Christmas, and the New Year, and all the bright and shiny lights! Everyone is in a happy spirit, and I think that November and December are my favourite months in the year. 

November was busy for me. I was off for a week, but didn’t manage to read too much. Hopefully, I am going to read more books in December.

I read 5 books in total. I ended up giving two 5-star ratings and three 4-star ratings. Quite a positive month, it seems 🙂

Books I read in November:

~ To read my review – click on the book titles! 🙂

november 2019 monthly book wrap up book books blog blogging reading goodreads netgalley diary of difference

1. I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Abbey Clancy – ★★

I was so lucky to be able to be part of the blog tour for I’ll Be Home for Christmas. It is amazing for a start of the Christmas mood. Be prepared for some drama, a bit of romance and get ready to choose sides.

Purchase Links:
| Amazon UK |Amazon US |

2. Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano – ★★

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano is one of the few books that instantly captures your heart, then shatters it into hundred pieces and teaches you many life lessons at the same time. This is now a favorite of mine and I will keep it in my heart forever!

Purchase Links:
| Amazon UK |Amazon US |

3. The Temple House Vanishing by Rachel Donohue – ★★

Twenty-five years ago, a sixteen-year-old schoolgirl and her charismatic teacher disappeared without trace…

The Temple House Vanishing left me with a tiny scar in my soul after reading it. It is intriguing and mysterious, it is real and delusional. The next time when I mention a special mystery, with a cruel end – this will be the first book that pops in my mind.

Purchase Links:
 Amazon UK 

4. Death in the Dojo by Sue Leather –

I remember reading The Death in the Dojo a few years ago. I still remember the story and the feelings it brought me. This is a story about a mystery, about karate and the love between a daughter and her dad. I need to just say that this book has and always will have a special place in my heart. 

Purchase Links:
| Amazon UK |Amazon US |

5. Her Crown of Fire (Molten Crown, #1) by Renee April –

Her Crown of Fire is the first book of the Molten Crown series.

Rose Evermore is a girl trying to survive high-school. But she suddenly has dreams that can predict the future and she seems to be able to control fire.

Curious about the power she possesses, she finds herself in the fantasy realm of Lotheria with her best friend Tyson. When she arrives, she is welcomed as a fire mage at the academy, while Tyson is forced to hide in order to survive.

With a lot of plot twists and new power discoveries, Rose and Tyson are in trouble and have to find a way back home.

I enjoyed this book, and I loved the characters.

Purchase Links:
| Amazon UK |Amazon US |

And that is my November Wrap up! How did your November go? How many books did you read? Let me know! I love reading your comments! 

Social Media:
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Books · Monthly Tags

October 2019 – Monthly Book Wrap Up

october 2019 monthly book wrap up book books blog blogging reading goodreads netgalley diary of difference

Welcome to the October Book Wrap Up!

I can’t believe it’s November already! It’s also my Birthday Month and I am so excited about it! 

This was a very fun October, I was reading a lot of books I wanted to read, and most of them were spooky, which matched my Spooky October Theme. I read 7 books in total, of which 4 were on my Spinning Wheel list. Sometimes, I have a tendency to ignore my list and pick up other books, and I hope November is a bit different. 

I ended up giving three 5-star ratings. zero 4-stars, two 3-stars, zero 2-stars and two 1-stars. 

Books I read in October:

~ To read my review – click on the book titles! 🙂

october wrap up book review goodreads blog blogger diary of difference diaryofdifference

1. The Awakening by L.J. Smith (The Vampire Diaries #1) – ★★

The first book from the Vampire Diaries series. I have watched and loved the TV Show, so wanted to read the series as well. It’s a story about a popular girl Elena, who meets the mysterious boy Stefan, and the adventures and dangers she is yet to have.  I really loved the first book!

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

2. The Struggle by L.J. Smith (The Vampire Diaries #1) – ★★

The second book of the Vampire Series. A continuation of Elena and Stefan’s adventures, but with a little twist – Stefan’s brother Damon appears. And he wants Elena as well. I loved this book too, and cannot wait to read the rest of the series. BTW, team Damon all the way!

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

3. Blood Shadow by Dianna Hardy (Blood Never Lies #1) – ★★

Blood Shadow (Blood Never Lies #1) is a companion novel for An Eye of The Storm Series.

This book can be read without reading the previous books. At the beginning, the author has included a recap of everything you need to know about the main character, before you start reading this book. It is a story about a woman, who is a werewolf, but then has an accident and anonymous person gives her a new life, but she is also strangely human now. But there is a danger coming, and the anonymous person has to reveal himself to her…

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

4. Reverie by Ryan La Sala – 

I wanted to love Reverie by Ryan La Sala so much!

Reverie has a wonderful cover that draws you in immediately. The plot mentions a boy and a fantasy world that revolves around dreams. Everything I hoped this book would be – it wasn’t.

Kane is a gay teenager who is trying to pick up the pieces of his life back together after an attack leaves him with no memories of the past. He is in the search of who he is and who he was, and he discovers an alternate reality that he was involved in.

Reveries are worlds born from a person’s private fantasies, and once they manifest they can only be unraveled by bringing their conflicts to a resolution. Reveries have rules and plots, magic and monsters – anything you could wish for. And one wrong step can twist the entire thing into a lethal nightmare maze.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

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5. The Devil Aspect by Craig Russell – ★★

The Devil Aspect by Craig Russell was a very pleasant read for me for many reasons! I am so glad I got the chance to read it!

The Plot

A terrifying novel set in Czechoslovakia in 1935, in which a brilliant young psychiatrist takes his new post at an asylum for the criminally insane that houses only six inmates–the country’s most depraved murderers–while, in Prague, a detective struggles to understand a brutal serial killer who has spread fear through the city, and who may have ties to the asylum.

Psychiatrist Victor is starting a new job in the Asylum where the Devil’s Six are – Czech Republic’s most dangerous murderers. Victor has a theory by the name of the Devil Aspect, where he believes that is manifested in these six murderers. He believes it comes out in certain circumstances, making these people commit crimes, but not being aware they have done it. Something similar to a split personality, but in this case, the murderers think that the Devil is next to them, and he is making them do all these things.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

6. Close to Home by Cara Hunter (DI Adam Fawley #1) – 

Close To Home is, I believe, the first mystery/thriller book I have given one star to. I had very high hopes for this one. And it crashed my hopes quite hard. 

Close To Home is the first book in a series called DI Adam Fawley.

The books are not related to themselves and can be read as standalones. They all feature the detective Fawley, therefore the series solution. Something similar to Dan Brown’s series. I listened to the audio book, and I think that the format might have a little blame on my rating.

In this book, the 8-year-old girl Daisy Mason disappears from her parents’s summer party. No one in the neighbourhood saw anything, not even the parents, and the detective is trying to keep an open mind in this whole situation, as someone is clearly lying.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

7.  Love, Heather by Laurie Petrou – ★★

Love, Heather is one of the most disturbing YA novels related to bullying I have read! Please be aware that this book has bullying and assault triggers. 

Stevie and Lottie have been friends since they’ve known about each other. And when Lottie starts to hang out with the popular kids, Stevie wants to fit in too. One thing leads to another, and Stevie gets bullied by them, which quickly leads to the whole school avoiding her.

Then Stevie becomes friends with Dee, and they start plotting a revenge on the popular kids, which very quickly gets out of hand. The ” Love, Heather ” pranks are now spreading without anyone being able to stop them.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

And that is my October Wrap up! How did your October go? How many books did you read? Let me know! I love reading your comments! 

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Books · Monthly Tags

September 2019 – Monthly Book Wrap Up

september 2019 monthly book wrap up book books blog blogging reading goodreads netgalley diary of difference

Welcome to the September Book Wrap Up!

I can’t believe it’s October already!

Last month I changed the way I choose my monthly reads, (see my September TBR Update if you haven’t seen it yet) and I struggled to read the books in order. I even read a few books that weren’t on my list… But I think that I am now fine and have gotten used to the routine. I have read 7 books in total, and I truly hope my October Wrap Up will contain more books 🙂

Books I read in September:

~ To read my review – click on the book titles! 🙂

september 2019 monthly book wrap up book books blog blogging reading goodreads netgalley diary of difference

1. The Tether by Julia Ash – ★★

The Tether is the second book from the ELI Chronicles, that features a woman who saves the world from a zombie apocalypse. I really enjoyed The Tether and it ended perfectly, getting us ready for the third book and Ruby’s next challenge. I highly recommend it – it is a real page-turner with incredible plot twists!

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

2. One in A Million by Lindsey Kelk – 

Contemporary romance in a world of social media. One in a Million is a nice addition to a library, for those of you who enjoy this genre. If this genre is something that you usually read and enjoy – please pick it up, you are probably going to enjoy it! This book just wasn’t for me, that’s all.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

3. The Swords Of Silence by Shaun Curry – ★★

The Swords of Silence is a great book, and I love the fact that the author captured moments in history that were true and brutal, and not many people in the world know about. A story that will make people aware of what was happening in the past.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

4. Geek Girl: All Wrapped Up by Holly Smale – ★★

Geek Girl: All Wrapped Up is a Christmas special and a spin-off from the Geek Girl Series, written by Holly Smale. It is cute and full of Christmas spirit and I only have one regret – I wish I read it in December.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

september 2019 monthly book wrap up book books blog blogging reading goodreads netgalley diary of difference

5. Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu – ★★

Mooncakes is a cute paranormal story, filled with magic, love, family… In a paranormal city, Nova, a teen witch goes to the woods and follows a white wolf. It turns out that the wolf is her high-school crush, Tam. It would all be lovely, but Tam is in life danger and needs help. The two girls help each other and their connection grows throughout the book.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

6. Scythe by Neal Shusterman – ★★

Scythe by Neal Shusterman is my favourite read for 2019 so far! I had this book on my TBR shelf since last Christmas, I don’t even know why I waited so long to read it! In a perfect world, where immortality exists, the only way to die is to be gleaned by a scythe. Citra and Rowan are both living different normal lives, when they both have separate encounters with Scythe Faraday that will change their lives. They are both chosen to be his apprentice, a role neither of them wants to have.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK |Amazon US |

7. The Die of Death by Kenneth B. Andersen – ★★★

The Die of Death is the second book from The Great Devil War Series, written by Kenneth B. Andersen. I loved this book. I cherish it. And I can’t wait to see what happens next and I highly recommend it to you – especially this month, as it’s Spooky October already!

How did your September go? How many books did you read? Let me know! I love reading your comments! 

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Books · Monthly Tags

April 2019 – Monthly Book Wrap Up

monthly wrap up april blog blogging book books goodreads netgalley diary of difference

Hello everyone!

I can’t believe we are in May already! In April, I read 9 books in total, and I was mostly pleasantly surprised with them. A great month for me, overall, with amazing books on the way. In the April monthly wrap up, you will see all the books I managed to read.

I have also continued with my Down The TBR Hole Tag and I am excited to see what progress I will make this year. Below are all four posts I did this month:

TBR Hole #26 🌟 TBR Hole #27 🌟TBR Hole #28 🌟 TBR Hole #29

Books I read:

monthly wrap up april nemesis undercover princess rachel's pudding pantry nanny and the beats blog blogging book books goodreads netgalley

monthly wrap up april the recreators chat love the tattooist of auschwitz queenie malone's paradise hotel blog blogging book books goodreads netgalley
April’s Monthly Wrap Up

Undercover Princess by Connie Glynn – ★★★★

Even though Undercover Princess has great resemblance to The Princess Diaries and The Princess Protection Program, this book is unique in its own way, and the story is very different and positively surprising. I was in love with the characters and loved this book a lot. I will definitely be reading the second book of the series!

AmazonBarnes & Noble

Nemesis (#3) by Rory Clements – ★★

Nemesis is full of suspense from the very first chapter, and the thing I loved the most about it was that the chapters are quite short, and always leave you hanging, hungry to find out more. Every word that Rory Clements types had a meaning and a purpose in this book, and that was the bit I admired the most.

Amazon UKAmazon US

Rachel’s Pudding Pantry by Caroline Roberts – ★★★★

A fast read that talks about family, love, grief and finding reasons to be happy! Rachel’s Pudding Pantry is a story about Rachel, who is a farmer in the modern world, living with her mum Jill and her little daughter Maisy. Rachel and her family has been dealing with a lot of grief in the last couple of years, and are struggling financially to keep the farm running.

Amazon Ebook Link | Paperback LinkAmazon US | Barnes & Noble

 Goodnight, Monster! by Chloe Sanders – ★★

A cute and cheeky bedtime story! I knew I was going to enjoy this little read as soon as I saw the cover and the little blurb. Goodnight, Monster! by Chloe Sanders is a story about Ben, who doesn’t want to go to bed, because there is a monster in his room.

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble |

 

Nanny and the Beast by Georgia Le Carre – ★

The book features April, who is a nanny by profession. She goes for an interview in a Russian billionaire’s house for the nanny position. Yuri is a Russian billionaire who has a niece, Yulia, that hasn’t been speaking for a few months. When he sees April, he can’t resist her – which is why he doesn’t give her the job – it is too dangerous for her to stick around. But when destiny takes matters in her own hands, and April end up being Yulia’s nanny, they have to find a way to leave their fierce erotic needs aside and focus on the little girl’s happiness.

| Amazon UK | Amazon US | Barns & Noble |

The Recreators by Desiree Nordlund – ★★

I went into reading this book partially blind. The blurb doesn’t uncover much, and I was excited as to whether I would like it or not. The Recreators is a young-adult novel that happens in Medieval times and features characters who have God-like powers and are able to change a slight minimal portion of the world.

| Amazon UK | Amazon US

 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris – ★★★★

A powerfully emotional book about the love, resilience and surviving through the worst possible circumstances. The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a true story of Lale, a Jew, who find himself trapped in a pool of uncertainty.

| Amazon UK | Amazon US | Barnes and Noble |

Chat Love by Justine Faeth – Review to come

A story about Lucia, an Italian woman who keeps having terrible dates. When she follows her friend’s advice and decides to try Chat Love, an online dating service, things are becoming interesting.

Goodreads 

Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan – Review to come

Tilly’s childhood was shattered when her mother sent her away to a boarding school without an explanation. Now, Tilda, grown up, but still damaged by her mother’s unaccountable cruelty. When her mother dies, Tilda goes back to Brighton and with the help of her beloved Queenie sets about unravelling the mystery of her exile from The Paradise Hotel and discovers that her mother was not the woman she thought she knew at all.

Goodreads 

How did your April go? How many books did you read? Let me know your April Monthly Wrap Up! I love reading your comments! 

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