March Reads

Welp, I did it - I finished BCBE 12! I honestly wasn't sure this time around. I've been struggling with my reading this year, and this pandemic only made it harder. I've been having issues finding focus and creating a routine, and though I desperately needed an escape, books just weren't cutting it at first. So I stopped trying to force it. And then I got approved for a recent Netgalley read I'd wanted... and then a few e-books I had on hold from the library came in... and then well, here we are! I feel like I'm *finally* crawling out of my rut, at least for the time being. I still want to read the books I currently have on my physical shelves, but I'm not going to stop placing holds I want to read either (currently The Honey Don't List, The Boy From The Woods, and Normal People). These are weird times, and I want to stay entertained and not needlessly pressured by inflicting "rules" on myself. 

Anyway, enough preamble! Here's what I managed before I got "unstuck."

In The Dark- Loreth Anne White: 2 Stars
Netgalley/ Kindle Unlimited

Strong premise, mediocre execution. I really enjoyed the relationship between Callie and Mason, and how each o of their stories were drawn out, and was itching for more about/with them. I liked the rhyme, it added a creepy, sinister touch, but I had to keep going back to it to try to figure out how it matched up with the characters.  The dual timelines and the many, many characters made the plot hard to follow. And with such a large cast, I didn't feel like I truly got to know any of them and their pasts and motivations. (Which i guess was fine since the majority wound up dead anyway.) Overall there were too many holes and things that were explained one way, but didn’t add up or make sense in the sequence of events. 
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. 

House Rules (Uptown #3)- Ruby Lang: 4 Stars
Netgalley

I was a little nervous about reading this one since I didn't notice that it was #3 in a series until after I got it, but it read perfectly as a standalone. I read this in one sitting. It was exactly what I needed to get out of my reading rut. I absolutely loved the chemistry between Simon and Lana from the very beginning. And of course you know what's going to happen, but the (short) unfolding and steamy in-betweens and the mature romance made it quite a bit of fun getting there. It was paced perfectly, was just the right length, and even made me a little sad for it to end!

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. 

All The Bright Places- Jennifer Niven: 4 Stars
library e-book

I didn't realize how much I missed YA until I dove into this. I loved Violet and Finch and their adventures. A heartfelt story covering heavy topics like bullying, depression, and suicide among teens, but in an honest way without being preachy. Broke my heart, but somehow still managed to have a promising ending.

Book Stats-
Total number read: 12
Netgalley: 7
Owned: 1
Non-Fiction: 0
WOC: 3
Given Away: 18


Currently Reading: If I Never Met You - Mhairi McFarlane

What are you reading?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!