March Month in Review
Here we are again pals! Recapping the 3rd month of the year: March! Y’all I gotta say I am really REALLY happy with my reading hobby this year. I had such a worry heading into 2022 that 2021’s wild year of reading would be an anomaly, but so far 3 months in, to 2022 things are tucking along and we’re on track to read another 300+ books this year.
But before I get far, far too ahead of myself this is the book breakdown for March:
Apple Books: 15
Kindle: 9
eArcs: 9
Total for March 33
Total for 2022 96
Instead of doing the per platform breakdown, I’m going to change it up this month and just recap my best of the month. We’ll see if this new format sticks.
A Brush with Love by Mazey Eddings
I can not, I repeat, can not get over how freaking great this book was. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022, based on nothing more than hearing all the hype from romancelandia authors and bloggers and DEAR GOD. Someone get me my fainting couch.
Harper and Dan might be one of my favourite book couples of all time. Right from the meet cute, to when he first meets Big Booty Judy, our guy is so special and just absolutely PERFECT for Harper. And Harper, oof did I uh how you say see myself in her. The internalized ableism, the anxiety, the way she shared about being in constant pain, ooh girl, I see you and I feel you.
The love story itself, is bright, fun and gosh that third act break up, was needed for them both to grow a little bit, and I put my full trust Mazey was going to heal all of our hearts in the end. I expect this one to top a few best of list’s this year.
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
Following up A Brush with Love, I dug into book 2 of the Bellinger Sisters series which (It Happened One Summer) was a definite stand out last year. We pick back up with Hannah Bellinger, sister to Piper who is trying her hardest to be the main character (aka, be assertive and go after the career of her dreams).
We also find out that Fox and her have been texting for months since she was last in town, and its clear these two have a deep connection as friends. Friends that genuinely like each other and speak each other’s language so fluently. Y’all I loved this book. I loved Hannah trying to be brave for herself. Trying to connect with her father through music. Trying to show Fox through her own actions he too could be brave.
And Fox, coming to terms with his own (pretty problematic) upbringing and self worth added to the connection these two have. Honestly this one might be one of my top reads of 2022, I can’t let these two go, especially not after that epilogue. Friends to lovers might be a new favorite trope.
Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas
Ethan Ransom might be one of my top 3 favourite LK love interests. We meet both Dr. Garret Gibson and Ethan Ransom in Marrying Winterborne, and it was pretty clear these two were bound to end up together. I liked the break of lords, ladies and whatnot to see more working class folks, and something about our acts-of-service man Ethan was so freaking delicious. HE CHANGED HER LOCKS you guys.
Everything from the night market, to the crocus’s, the whistle (omg my dumb heart) and her absolute heroism saving his life was just perfect. Something about Kleypas’ books are deeply cozy to me. They are warm, and comforting and filled with so much delight, love and care that I always leave feeling so warm and loved.
5/5 instant, top tier, love interest shit.
The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Elizabeth O’Roark (free with KU)
After A Deal with the Devil I figured why not jump back into this extended universe (but not sequel) with Drew (who we met in ADwtD) and Josh (Six’s brother). This was great for me up until the third act. I totally loved the soul rehab Drew and Josh both explored all over Hawaii and even him showing up with brioche for her in Paris, but y’all. Her going to Somalia to visit his Dr’s without borders as a surprise, was whack as hell.
I just could not, for the life of me reconcile that this woman who we spend the whole book learning puts on the “I’m a stupid reckless sex symbol” but is actually very deep, intelligent and smart would not fundamentally understand the legitimate danger visiting her boyfriend would put them both in.
4/5, overall a fun read with a good plot and believable connection between the two mains. Lost a star for that dumb 3rd act nonsense and breakup.
The Wrong Marquess by Vivienne Lorret
Oof y’all. This book really really really resonated. For context I have OCD and worrying / rumination on worse case scenarios / death have been present in my life for a VERY long time. So to read a love interest like Ellie was equal parts hard (hello ERP) and really delightful. After her father’s death Ellie is extremely nervous and worried about all manner of terrible ways to have her life end. While her friends have previously met and found the loves of their lives, Ellie is (gasp) inching toward 25 and is going to write a field guide for women trying to find a love match of a husband. Stumbling right into Brandon, the Marquess of Hullworth while observing some engagement and declarations of love, is the PERFECT way for these two to have their meet cute.
Brandon, assuming Ellie is YET another women out to trap him into marriage, is wildly rude. Once he begins to realize jut who she is and what she very much does NOT want from him, the two decide to be friends. The evolution of the relationship between these two warmed every place in my lil heart y’all. Brandon being SO patient with Ellie has she tried to overcome her fears was god-tier shit. Grab this one, you won’t regret it.
Five sighs. Five swoons.
The Plan by Karla Sorensen (free with KU)
Set in the extended Washington Wolves universe, this is a bodyguard age gap, grumpy sunshine romance featuring the daughter of Allie and Luke from The Bombshell Effect. Lydia is paired with ex-NFL defensive lineman Erik Wilder. This was a cute, albeit predictable one, but that did not stop me from enjoying it thoroughly.
Slow burn, medium angst and heat, and a solid connection between the two main characters made for a quick, enjoyable and in some moments very sweet read.
The Hellion and the Hero by Emily Sullivan (eARC)
A brilliant third instalment of Sullivan’s league of scoundrels sees Henry and Georgiana finally (FINALLY) get together after 8 years of separation and heartache. This is a high-angst, slow burn deliciously swoony love story that I could not put down. See full review here.
Second Star to the Left by Megan Van Dyke
Y’all what a DELIGHTFUL surprise this book was! It gave me the same vibes and swoons as the early seasons of ONCE before things REALLY went off the rails with that show. (Plus hook was hot AF there too). A human over on r/romancebooks posted about it last week and after reading the synopsis I thought I would check it out. And oh my gosh was this one fun. This is a retelling of Peter Pan, but focuses on Tinker Bell and Captain James Hook falling all the way in love. This has a little bit of everything, good world building, found family, the baddie is actually a softie, adventure, danger, soul mate kind of love, one bed, it truly had something for everyone. This was my first MVD book and absolutely won’t be my last.