~Can't Wait Wednesday~ The Rebels of Gold (Loom Saga #3)

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Waiting on Wednesday has been don for some time so I am switching it up for now!  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The Rebels of Gold (Loom Saga #3) by Elise Kova

Out:  12/5

From Goodreads:

                A new rebellion rises from the still-smoldering remnants of the five guilds of Loom to stand against Dragon tyranny.  Meanwhile, on Nova, those same Dragons fight amongst themselves, as age-old power struggles shift the political landscape in fateful and unexpected ways  Unlikely leaders vie for the opportunity to shape a new world order from the perfect clockwork designs of one temperamental engineer.

                This is the final installment of USA Today bestselling author Elise Kova's Loom Saga, THE REBELS OF GOLD will reveal the fate of Loom's brilliantly contrasting world and its beloved inhabitants.

Why I’m Waiting:

                I LOVE this series!  I am so ready for this to hit audible so I can finish this series up and find out what is happening to my characters.  Last book left several characters in bad places so this is making me anxious!!! Already have it pre-ordered and ready to go!

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.  Also as tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the states I will not be posting Friday but did want to take a moment to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday.  

Top Ten Tuesday: Winter TBR

                Hello everyone!  Top Ten Tuesday is just how it sounds, a topic is picked and we put our Top Ten for that in a post and share and check out everyone’s answers.  Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

The top today is:  Top Ten Books on my Winter TBR

My "winter" is generally only a couple weeks of chilly weather a week or two of warm/hot then maybe a few more weeks of chill if I'm lucky.  So that said I am counting December and maybe half of January.  

The Rebelsof Gold (Loom Saga #3) by Elise Kova comes out this month!

Earth’s End (Air Awakens #3) by Elise Kova- I need to catch up!

How to Hanga Witch (How to Hang a Witch #1) by Adriana Mather- my friend has been hyping this up for me for half the year!

Always andForever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han- I have really enjoyed this series and look forward to finishing it up

Busted by Gina Ciocca- got an ARC of this one and I’m excited to dive in

Witch’s Pyre (Worldwalker #3) by Josephine Angelini- Been holding off this final book for some time as book two was both amazing and heart breaking

Our DarkDuet (Monsters of Verity #2) by Victoria Schwab- currently about 75% finished with book one and loving it so excited to go straight into this sequel

King’s Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard- Getting ready for the next book!

                 Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Which would you recommend so I know which ones to get first?  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!

P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and weekend.  Mine was a bit chaotic but good.  I finally got to watch Netflix The Punisher, which I really enjoyed and see Bad Mom's Christmas.  That said I didn't get a ton of reading done, though I did get an hour or two into my current car audiobook driving to and from my parents place so that's a win.  That said last week I reviewed To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han here and as soon as I reviewed it I started on book two P.S. I Still Love You right away and finished it that same day and as I am eager to get to book three I have to review this one first so here we go.  Spoilers for book one…duh.

Rating:  5 Stars

                When we left off Lara Jean had realized she still loved Peter and wanted to fix things.  She had written five love letters and had received word from all but one.  As she starts something real with Peter it becomes a bit more complicated as her other love and letter come into her life as Peter makes some decisions that don't sit well with Lara Jean.  We see everything for the first time through the very distinct and quirky Lara Jean.

                Now this story has me hooked.  I want to know what will happen next for Lara Jean so badly.  She is such a sweet and innocent girl who has all these dreams and ideas but is also happy in her comfort zone and afraid to really step outside of it.  This story really makes her step forward in a lot of ways.  She is forced to be bolder than she has and take charge of her life.  She is experiences many different emotions all at once and for the first time which for anyone would be confusing.  The way it is written is just so sweet and enduring that you get caught up in the whole of it and feel it all like it was happening to you.  Also can I just say how much I adore that she’s a baker because I do love that aspect of her character.  She has mentioned so many ideas that have now been added to my list to try.

                There were times when I was back and forth on what I wanted to happen.  I admit to wavering at points given the information available at the given time.  I wanted Lara Jean to find happiness and was caught up in every moment of this heartfelt story.  I enjoyed this story so much that as I lay listening to this story around 80% through I had to go and buy the third book right then.  Yep no waiting for an extra credit to be available or anything I just knew that when I finished this one I was going to want to continue ASAP.  And while things did resolve in the story enough that I had to start the next one right away I still am looking forward to starting it this week.  There is just so much going on with Lara Jean between her love life, family, and friends I am excited to see where things go for her. 

                I can’t really discuss too much about the story because you should enjoy it as it progresses but the characters were there.  I got to see more with the sisters, the always late coffee spilling neighbor, the boys, and my favorite to learn more about were the residents at the retirement community. They had such diverse backgrounds and fun stories to explore plus being at their age they are set in their ways and able to say/do whatever they want because why not.  I loved the play off of them.  I can’t wait to see how Lara Jean’s journey ends in the next book. 

                Until next time…

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: November

                Hello happy readers!  Here is where I stand for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up.  Here is my standing but please don't forget to share your progress as well! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 125

At: 65

Not looking good with one month left….

2017 Debut Authors (#2017DebAuthC):

Goal: 12

At: 7

What I've Read:

Nada

2017 Rock My TBR (#RockMyTBR):

Goal: As many as possible!

At: 26

What I've Read:

The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer (review)

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #1) by Jenny Han (review)

P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han

2017 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 7

What I’ve Read:

2017 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 34 (YAY!!!!)

What I've Read:

Wolves and Roses (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1) by Christina Bauer (review)

Geekerella by Ashley Poston (review)

2017 Audiobook Challenge: (my best one)

Goal: 5-10

At: 30

What I've Listened:

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #1) by Jenny Han

P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han

                So while I don't plan on giving up or quitting these challenges I can objectively look at this and see that I probably won't finish most of them.  That said I look forward to my goals for next year and improving!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

~Stacking the Shelves~

                Welcome to Stacking the Shelves was created by Tynga and the full details can be found on her page.  Basically you showcase the books you bought or received each week.  Little, or not so little, weekly book hauls.

Physical Books:

The Alchemists of Loom (Loom Saga #1) by Elise Kova (review)

The Dragons of Nova (Loom Saga #2) by Elise Kova (review)

I got the pretty hardcovers!  They are BEAUTIFUL!!!

Audiobook:

Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

                That's if for this week.  Share a link below with what goodies you got this week.  

~Can't Wait Wednesday~ Crowned (Beholder #4)

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Wishful Endings.  Waiting on Wednesday has been down for some time so I am switching it up for now!  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Crowned (Beholder #4) by Christina Bauer

Out:  11/28

From Goodreads:

                At last, Elea has found the love of her life.  Unfortunately, the evil Tsar Viktor is about to unleash an army of twisted mages bent on killing everyone Elea cares about…including the man who's stolen her heart.

                So what's a powerful witch to do?  Why, fight back, of course!

                Elea goes on a mission to find the Sword of Theodora, the only weapon that can destroy Viktor.  That's challenge enough, but on the eve of battle, Elea realizes that her true enemies may be far more powerful than even Viktor:  the deities Oni and Turi could be out to destroy her as well.  With major battles brewing on two fronts, Elea's not sure that she'll win, but with true love to inspire her, she's certainly ready to fight.

Why I’m Waiting:

                I have enjoyed this series since book one and this is an auto-buy author so not much more is needed here.  I'm also completely invested in Elea's journey and seeing Viktor taken down!

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I did a night shift rotation this weekend and got a bit off schedule but being close to the holiday I had lots of free time and got to catch up on this season of Outlander so it was a win!  That said today aside from doing some baking I am pleased to share my thoughts and feelings on a book that has been on my shelf for a very long while that I just now am getting into, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #1) by Jenny Han.  I have been wanting to read this series since day one but it always got pushed back but after I snagged the first two books on audible for a 2 for 1 credit deal I couldn’t hold off any longer. 

Rating:  5 Love Letters

                I couldn’t help myself.

                To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a sweet story of Lara Jean who keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her.  She hasn’t received love letters, no these are the letters she has written each time she has fallen for someone.  She is able to pour her heart into them and seal them away giving herself a sense of closure knowing no one will ever see them.  Until one day her letters are sent out and her love life goes a bit crazy.

                The concept for this alone had me hooked.  I know I would be mortified if someone ever read my journal, be it my high school one or my current one.  There is just something about knowing no one will ever read it that lets you be brutally honest.  It’s cathartic.  I was instantly drawn into this world with sweet Laura Jean and her sisters.  I loved their bond.  It has ups and downs which I think most families have.  I also enjoyed the way it dealt with someone being close with the whole family breaking up with one and how it leaves the uncertainty with the rest.  It really has a lot of heart to it.

 “I’m always wondering about the what-its, about the road not taking.”

                The chapters were all super-fast and I listened to it in just a couple of short sittings and each time I never really wanted to turn it off.  I was on the fence at times as to what I wanted to happen for the characters as Lara Jean is thrust into this new world.  Stuck between everything being a first and new and also fake but also good that in between feeling.  I could feel for her even when she blundered many things because I could see where she was coming from and it endured her to me.  This book just hit me in the feels and had me ‘aweing’ A LOT!  I also randomly busted out laughing many times, one HP moment in particular reminded me of me and my friends. 

“If love is like a possession, maybe my letters are like my exorcisms.”

                My only complaint is the ending was a bit complicated.  I had to go back and listen to a small part to make sure I got it and it also left off with many things unresolved.  Yes I understand there is another two book for which I am diving into ASAP (already have book 2 ready to start but had to get my thoughts to paper on book 1 first so I didn’t risk mixing them up) but some of the things that seemed somewhat resolved to Lara Jean were still a bit iffy for me.  I’m still rating this 5 Stars and in love with it and all the feels but I am hoping that those iffy things are resolved in the books to come and don’t hold me back.  Well that is it off to start P.S. I Still Love You.

                Until next time…