I cannot WAIT for you to read Fourth Wing. It's fabulous. I am also so curious to know what you think of ACOTAR. Completely understand being judgy about it - it took me ages to get on the bandwagon because it seemed like everyone was reading it and it was a bit off putting. It's not as well written for me as Fourth Wing (Rebecca Yarros is better at world building imo), and it is very relationship driven, which can be hard to get into. Happy reading!
Well I like relationship/character building, so that might work for me! Truthfully, my judgment of ACOTAR is that it's about faeries... which I'm really not sure my brain can get behind! But friend: I read the first two chapters of FOURTH WING this morning and... I'm kinda hooked!?!?!?!?! Wtf, I didn't see that coming AT ALL!
As a person who mostly reads romantasy, Fourth Wing is one of my favorite books! I have read the physical copy several times and also listened to the audiobook. It has a trope of enemies to lovers, but that is offset by many friends and a clear “more than lover-ish” relationship. As for ACOTAR, I enjoyed it, but like the second book in the series better. One really couldn’t read the second one first though, it wouldn’t make much sense. I’ve read the whole series, but only once. I haven’t listened to it on audiobook. I won’t mention the tropes on that one as I think it might give too much away.
You're not the first person to say that you enjoyed the second book more! I'd say that is the series I've judged the most, which is really just telling myself a story of what I think it'll be about and can't wrap my head around. I'm still going to try the first one!
Annie Knows Everything has such a fun cover! I know they say not to judge but... I will be adding this one to my list!
I look forward to your thoughts on ROMANTASY! I've heard so much about ACOTAR and I have Fourth Wing in the que to listen to on audio but haven't pressed play yet.
I know I loved the Hunger Games books and Outlander but I'm not sure it's the same at all. Lolol.
It's SUCH a fun cover! The UK cover is super cute too. Sounds like we'll be having some chats about romantasy soon, friend! Maybe both online AND offline, haha.
I understand your feelings about romance exactly. In the future, try Mary Kay Andrews. Her books are wonderful! She’s been writing for many years and her books always take place in the SE United States. I fall in love with her heroines every time! They start out struggling to find a place in the working world and over the course of time they learn to open up to new opportunities and new people. In the end they are clearly stronger and more confident…and happy…women. There is tons of humor and that crazy Southern vibe and almost always an unsolved murder thrown in for good measure. Try THE HOME-WRECKERS or THE NEWCOMER…two of my faves.
I’m not big on romance, either, but I really liked Emily Henry’s book “Book Lovers.” GREAT banter. It’s actually two functional adults.
This isn’t romantasy, and it’s more scientific fantasy (light on fantasy): The Memoirs of Lady Trent. It’s about this amazing woman who bucks convention to travel the world and study dragons. No magic, just grit. It’s delightful and fun. There is a good romance, and it is friends to lovers, but that’s not the main feature of the story.
Ok yes, I forgot about that one! I remember reading it in 2020 and did like the two characters. So thank you for reminding me about that! Appreciate the reco, too! Just looked it up... have you read all 5 books!? (Or maybe 6.5 books, says Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/107373-the-memoirs-of-lady-trent)
I am currently living in my romantasy era, so there’s zero hate (or spoilers) when I say I fear that Fourth Wing and ACOTAR are going to immediately hit your first lesson from romance novels (no enemies to lovers, brooding male characters.) I enjoyed them both and have read the complete series (so far), but honestly, you may have a hard time finding a non-broody MMC in a romantasy novel. It feels almost like a major genre requirement.
Okayyyyyyyyyyy, Austin! This might be the most thoughtful comment I've received in a while, because it shows you've been reading these recaps! Here's today's update: I read the first two chapters of FOURTH WING with my coffee and I am HOOKED on the story... *and* you're right, I wasn't intrigued by the lead male AT ALL, haha. I don't think I will like him. I'm going to keep going though, because there's so much action! It's a page-turner! I want to know what happens next! Was honestly annoyed that I had to stop for an early work call, haha. THIS HAS SURPRISED ME!
I’m truly so glad you’re enjoying it! Violet is a strong main character, which may help balance things out for you, and the storyline is fast paced and engaging!
I don't read a ton of romance, but I have really enjoyed Jasmine Guillory's books, especially on audio. Her characters feel like real people who have to navigate challenges that feel realistic, like family dynamics and career struggles and mental health ups and downs. And while there are some tropes, they don't feel trope-y—they feel like natural parts of a character's story. The one I read most recently is FLIRTING LESSONS and it was a blast. (Another recent fave: CLEAT CUTE by Meryl Wilsner.)
For July, I'd love to recommend Freya Marske's Last Binding series (first book: A MARVELLOUS LIGHT). It's technically romantasy, but it's also a lot of magic and adventure and mystery and friendship. Looking forward to your next installment!
Oh my gosh, yes, I read one of hers during the pandemic and enjoyed them! I also read a few of Tali Hibbert's books and LOVED them. GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN still stands out. Thanks for reminding me of those! And CLEAT CUTE sounds cute too!
I don't know if I'll be able to squeeze in more romantasy this month, but I will absolutely bookmark that first title! It sounds like it ticks all the boxes ☺️
I also thought of your reading exploration this weekend, as I finished my second book in a row with a very unlikeable narrator/protagonist. That's not normally my jam, but I couldn't put it down, and I was thinking about how skilled the author was to have crafted a narrative where I cared about what would happen even though I didn't particular care if things ended badly for the narrator. It was an interesting insight and made me perhaps more likely to try books with unlikeable narrators in the future...
Oh for sure! The two books were YESTERYEAR and BEST OFFER WINS. It was also unusual for me to read books while they're still buzzy! I always get to them like two years later 🤣
Ha, I'm usually the same! But I've read YESTERYEAR too! And BEST OFFER WINS is on my TBR list! A friend listened to the audiobook and said it was very engaging!
My choice is Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner💚It is the ultimate feminist self love story🎉So I'm not really sure what category it falls into🤣Thank you for so many great ideas for reading this summer❤️🥰
I personally don't like books that have (or are marketing as having/being) tropes because the plot arc becomes the main focus. I like romance books that focus on character development that happen to have certain tropes. If you're willing to give romance another shot in the future, you might like "You are Here" by David Nichols. It's about (I think) two divorced folks who are going on a walk/hike in the English countryside with their mutual friends, and the banter/affections that ensues. I surprised me how much I really loved it, but the dialogue was so good!
I've heard wonderful things about this book, friend, and you're not the first person to reco it to me! They walk the Coast to Coast, right? I see it at the library often! Will definitely keep it on my radar... 🥾
That makes me think of how TM and I got to know each other: on walks, often near rivers/the ocean, so the sound of flowing water was in the background too...
I am like you - I don’t want to know how the story ends by page 3. I also realize I don’t like a happy ending where everything is wrapped up in a bow. It feels too fake to me. I love your honest feelings about what works for you.
I don't like when it's wrapped up in a bow either. I feel like my favourite ending for a "romance" is just a simple scene, with zero mention of what any of it might "mean."
I am currently reading second book by Annabel Monaghan and it is fresh and flowy, not completely obvious, slightly dips into deeper topics. Enjoying it for sure!
Thanks Cait, I usually read non fiction or more serious type genres but every summer I love to find one more carefree and lighthearted so your description of “Annie Knows Everything” sounds like just the thing!
We recently (like in the past year) had a new bookstore open in my town (after the Indigo closed!) and I love it - owned by local people and great selection, coffee & gelato shop at the back - planning a “haul” from there this week and “Annie Knows Everything” is on the list! Thank you!
I’ve been all wrapped up in MM romance this spring and summer. I wonder if you’d enjoy Cat Sebastian’s You Should Be So Lucky or her We Could Be So Good? They’re set in New York in the ’60s, are funny in a special way and have quirky characters. I also enjoyed her latest Star Shipped which is set in today. It’s an enemies-to-lovers so it might not suit you but it’s fun and a bit anarki (but not mean) and with an anxious MC. The audiobooks are narrated by Joel Leslie and I like what he does to these.
I get book recs almost exclusively from my 14yo niece right now, and she's in a huge romantasy phase, so I read the whole POWERLESS series. I can't tell whether I enjoyed it? It definitely surprised me several times, so it'll probably keep your attention!
Ok, well that's an intriguing review! I'm 130 pages into FOURTH WING and am having the same feels. I want to keep reading. I like some of it. And there are parts where it almost loses me...
I cannot WAIT for you to read Fourth Wing. It's fabulous. I am also so curious to know what you think of ACOTAR. Completely understand being judgy about it - it took me ages to get on the bandwagon because it seemed like everyone was reading it and it was a bit off putting. It's not as well written for me as Fourth Wing (Rebecca Yarros is better at world building imo), and it is very relationship driven, which can be hard to get into. Happy reading!
Well I like relationship/character building, so that might work for me! Truthfully, my judgment of ACOTAR is that it's about faeries... which I'm really not sure my brain can get behind! But friend: I read the first two chapters of FOURTH WING this morning and... I'm kinda hooked!?!?!?!?! Wtf, I didn't see that coming AT ALL!
As a person who mostly reads romantasy, Fourth Wing is one of my favorite books! I have read the physical copy several times and also listened to the audiobook. It has a trope of enemies to lovers, but that is offset by many friends and a clear “more than lover-ish” relationship. As for ACOTAR, I enjoyed it, but like the second book in the series better. One really couldn’t read the second one first though, it wouldn’t make much sense. I’ve read the whole series, but only once. I haven’t listened to it on audiobook. I won’t mention the tropes on that one as I think it might give too much away.
You're not the first person to say that you enjoyed the second book more! I'd say that is the series I've judged the most, which is really just telling myself a story of what I think it'll be about and can't wrap my head around. I'm still going to try the first one!
Annie Knows Everything has such a fun cover! I know they say not to judge but... I will be adding this one to my list!
I look forward to your thoughts on ROMANTASY! I've heard so much about ACOTAR and I have Fourth Wing in the que to listen to on audio but haven't pressed play yet.
I know I loved the Hunger Games books and Outlander but I'm not sure it's the same at all. Lolol.
🩷🩷🩷
It's SUCH a fun cover! The UK cover is super cute too. Sounds like we'll be having some chats about romantasy soon, friend! Maybe both online AND offline, haha.
I understand your feelings about romance exactly. In the future, try Mary Kay Andrews. Her books are wonderful! She’s been writing for many years and her books always take place in the SE United States. I fall in love with her heroines every time! They start out struggling to find a place in the working world and over the course of time they learn to open up to new opportunities and new people. In the end they are clearly stronger and more confident…and happy…women. There is tons of humor and that crazy Southern vibe and almost always an unsolved murder thrown in for good measure. Try THE HOME-WRECKERS or THE NEWCOMER…two of my faves.
Happy reading!
Ok, friend! I will totally bookmark these titles! Thanks for the recos 🤗
I’m not big on romance, either, but I really liked Emily Henry’s book “Book Lovers.” GREAT banter. It’s actually two functional adults.
This isn’t romantasy, and it’s more scientific fantasy (light on fantasy): The Memoirs of Lady Trent. It’s about this amazing woman who bucks convention to travel the world and study dragons. No magic, just grit. It’s delightful and fun. There is a good romance, and it is friends to lovers, but that’s not the main feature of the story.
Totally here with you on Book lovers. I even re-read it a year or two later, which I never do with romance books.
Ok yes, I forgot about that one! I remember reading it in 2020 and did like the two characters. So thank you for reminding me about that! Appreciate the reco, too! Just looked it up... have you read all 5 books!? (Or maybe 6.5 books, says Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/107373-the-memoirs-of-lady-trent)
I’ve read all of them! The audiobooks are delightful! And then I bought physical copies because I love them so much.
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me!
Run, don't walk!
Haha ok ok, I'll add that to my bookmarks folder!
I am currently living in my romantasy era, so there’s zero hate (or spoilers) when I say I fear that Fourth Wing and ACOTAR are going to immediately hit your first lesson from romance novels (no enemies to lovers, brooding male characters.) I enjoyed them both and have read the complete series (so far), but honestly, you may have a hard time finding a non-broody MMC in a romantasy novel. It feels almost like a major genre requirement.
Okayyyyyyyyyyy, Austin! This might be the most thoughtful comment I've received in a while, because it shows you've been reading these recaps! Here's today's update: I read the first two chapters of FOURTH WING with my coffee and I am HOOKED on the story... *and* you're right, I wasn't intrigued by the lead male AT ALL, haha. I don't think I will like him. I'm going to keep going though, because there's so much action! It's a page-turner! I want to know what happens next! Was honestly annoyed that I had to stop for an early work call, haha. THIS HAS SURPRISED ME!
I’m truly so glad you’re enjoying it! Violet is a strong main character, which may help balance things out for you, and the storyline is fast paced and engaging!
I don't read a ton of romance, but I have really enjoyed Jasmine Guillory's books, especially on audio. Her characters feel like real people who have to navigate challenges that feel realistic, like family dynamics and career struggles and mental health ups and downs. And while there are some tropes, they don't feel trope-y—they feel like natural parts of a character's story. The one I read most recently is FLIRTING LESSONS and it was a blast. (Another recent fave: CLEAT CUTE by Meryl Wilsner.)
For July, I'd love to recommend Freya Marske's Last Binding series (first book: A MARVELLOUS LIGHT). It's technically romantasy, but it's also a lot of magic and adventure and mystery and friendship. Looking forward to your next installment!
Oh my gosh, yes, I read one of hers during the pandemic and enjoyed them! I also read a few of Tali Hibbert's books and LOVED them. GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN still stands out. Thanks for reminding me of those! And CLEAT CUTE sounds cute too!
I don't know if I'll be able to squeeze in more romantasy this month, but I will absolutely bookmark that first title! It sounds like it ticks all the boxes ☺️
Ooh, I'll look up Chloe Brown! Thanks, friend!
I also thought of your reading exploration this weekend, as I finished my second book in a row with a very unlikeable narrator/protagonist. That's not normally my jam, but I couldn't put it down, and I was thinking about how skilled the author was to have crafted a narrative where I cared about what would happen even though I didn't particular care if things ended badly for the narrator. It was an interesting insight and made me perhaps more likely to try books with unlikeable narrators in the future...
Very interesting! Do you want to share the title of the book?
Oh for sure! The two books were YESTERYEAR and BEST OFFER WINS. It was also unusual for me to read books while they're still buzzy! I always get to them like two years later 🤣
Ha, I'm usually the same! But I've read YESTERYEAR too! And BEST OFFER WINS is on my TBR list! A friend listened to the audiobook and said it was very engaging!
My choice is Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner💚It is the ultimate feminist self love story🎉So I'm not really sure what category it falls into🤣Thank you for so many great ideas for reading this summer❤️🥰
I just read the description on Goodreads and thought: wow, sounds like my life story, hahaha. I'm going to bookmark that one, friend!
Unsure if you’re interested in sapphic writing, but Tiana Warner is a BC author who writes sapphic romantasy!
I am totally up for reading sapphic writing, friend! Do you have any faves? I will save her author website to my bookmarks! 🤗
I’m not a big romantasy fan so I don’t have recs of those types but I’ve enjoyed her other books!
I personally don't like books that have (or are marketing as having/being) tropes because the plot arc becomes the main focus. I like romance books that focus on character development that happen to have certain tropes. If you're willing to give romance another shot in the future, you might like "You are Here" by David Nichols. It's about (I think) two divorced folks who are going on a walk/hike in the English countryside with their mutual friends, and the banter/affections that ensues. I surprised me how much I really loved it, but the dialogue was so good!
I've heard wonderful things about this book, friend, and you're not the first person to reco it to me! They walk the Coast to Coast, right? I see it at the library often! Will definitely keep it on my radar... 🥾
Yup, walking from coast to coast! What I like is that it’s really the backdrop to their relationship growing.
That makes me think of how TM and I got to know each other: on walks, often near rivers/the ocean, so the sound of flowing water was in the background too...
I am like you - I don’t want to know how the story ends by page 3. I also realize I don’t like a happy ending where everything is wrapped up in a bow. It feels too fake to me. I love your honest feelings about what works for you.
I don't like when it's wrapped up in a bow either. I feel like my favourite ending for a "romance" is just a simple scene, with zero mention of what any of it might "mean."
I am currently reading second book by Annabel Monaghan and it is fresh and flowy, not completely obvious, slightly dips into deeper topics. Enjoying it for sure!
Ahhh ok, that's a great review, Michaela! Thank you!
Thanks Cait, I usually read non fiction or more serious type genres but every summer I love to find one more carefree and lighthearted so your description of “Annie Knows Everything” sounds like just the thing!
We recently (like in the past year) had a new bookstore open in my town (after the Indigo closed!) and I love it - owned by local people and great selection, coffee & gelato shop at the back - planning a “haul” from there this week and “Annie Knows Everything” is on the list! Thank you!
AND gelato!?!? This store sounds like heaven, friend! Enjoy your little shopping trip there! 📚
I’ve been all wrapped up in MM romance this spring and summer. I wonder if you’d enjoy Cat Sebastian’s You Should Be So Lucky or her We Could Be So Good? They’re set in New York in the ’60s, are funny in a special way and have quirky characters. I also enjoyed her latest Star Shipped which is set in today. It’s an enemies-to-lovers so it might not suit you but it’s fun and a bit anarki (but not mean) and with an anxious MC. The audiobooks are narrated by Joel Leslie and I like what he does to these.
It's funny you say that, another friend reco'd WE COULD BE SO GOOD. So I have it bookmarked! Two friends makes it a good reco, in my books ☺️
Great! I hope you like them! ❤️ Let me know if you end up reading them.
I'm starting ACOTAR so I'll be right there with you. I'm here for all the judgment. :)
Haha ok, I'm starting with FOURTH WING but will do ACOTAR after... here we go!
I get book recs almost exclusively from my 14yo niece right now, and she's in a huge romantasy phase, so I read the whole POWERLESS series. I can't tell whether I enjoyed it? It definitely surprised me several times, so it'll probably keep your attention!
Ok, well that's an intriguing review! I'm 130 pages into FOURTH WING and am having the same feels. I want to keep reading. I like some of it. And there are parts where it almost loses me...