Welcome back to

✨ Alexa does nothing but listen to audiobooks anymore ✨

I renewed my Audible membership at the beginning of October and I’m already down to my last credit, so I need to purchase some more. If I didn’t absolutely love Audible so much, I’d totally switch to a cheaper platform because that shit’s expensive. I would 100% pay like a flat fee of $250 to have access to all of Audibles available catalog. Or like a monthly subscription fee – but I’d want access to everything.

I go through books so damn quickly, so either I need longer books, or I need to stop listening to them at 1.7-2x the speed. Listening to them at normal speed – I can’t do it anymore since I sped them up. It’s too slow.

I read a lot of good books last month. I finally binged the whole PJO series – well, the first five books. I also read some pretty good ARCs and some other really good books. Honestly, there was nothing that really disappointed me. I managed to read a lot of books last month, but that’s listening to audiobooks for at least 6 hours a day, five days a week for you.

But I’m going to stop rambling and show you what I read last month!

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Crush (Cave #2) – Tracy Wolff

Audiobook Finished: October 2, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR

“[…] I honestly don’t have anything bad to say about this book. I loved it. I loved being back in the world, with these characters. It’ll be really interesting (and probably stressful af) to find out what’s next for these characters. I definitely recommend the audiobook – it makes for a really enjoyable reading experience, and I definitely recommend checking out this series if you haven’t already. Don’t be fooled – this isn’t just Twilight 2.0 – this is its own incredibly thing that you most definitely need if your life. If you like vampires, loved Vampire Academy and are a fan of snarky, self-aware, protective, charming characters – then look no further!”

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The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) – Rick Riordan

Audiobook Finished: October 5, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR

To be perfectly honest, I kind of suffered through this book. I get that it’s technically middle grade and I’m reading it well past that point in my life, but omfg. Percy was so annoying. 10-year-old MCs do absolutely nothing for me. I’d also read this book before, so I wasn’t surprised at what happens in it. It was fun being at Camp Half Blood, but I really didn’t care for the young protagonists. I just kept wishing for the book to be over.

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Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked #1) – Kerri Mansiscalco

eARC Finished: October 5, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR

“[…] I definitely recommend picking this up when it comes out – I really don’t think you’re going to want to miss it. It makes you crave Italian food like there’s no tomorrow, but otherwise it’s so good, enjoyable and you get to meet Emilia and Wrath – he alone should be enough to make you pick up this book!”

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The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) – Rick Riordan

Audiobook Finished: October 6, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR

I liked this one a little more – it felt very Odyssey and I’m always a fan. Percy and Co. are still really young, and I still really didn’t care for them. Don’t get me wrong – I like Percy, Annabeth and Grover, I just don’t jive with the 11-year-old personalities. I found them annoying. The story is great though, so I pushed past.

Yes, I’m fully aware that these books are much more relatable to a younger audience, but I had to start at the beginning, so I did.

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The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3) – Rick Riordan

Audiobook Finished: October 7, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR

I’m really a sucker for anything Greek God, but I’ve recently read a different series that features the Titan’s as the “Good Gods” and their offspring as the “Bad Gods” so, I was kind of looking forward to the Titan’s being more present.

I’m sorry! I loved Percy’s journey in this book, and his growing (confusing) feelings for Annabeth, but my brain exists on a different level than these books, and it was sometimes hard to not wish for the books to be more mature. I know that’s unfair, and I recognize that, but I can’t help it. But since Percy and Co. are getting older, I found I related more and more and found them less annoying.

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A Golden Fury – Samantha Cohoe

eARC Finished: October 7, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR

“[…] Overall, I enjoyed this book – just not as much as I expected. I found myself confused at some places and like I said, I didn’t necessarily care for all of the characters. But if you’re looking to be completely transported into a world, then I really wouldn’t look any further. It’s been about an hour since I finished reading the book, and scenes are still vividly scrolling through my mind.”

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Kingdom of Sea and Stone (Crown of Coral and Pearl #2) – Mara Rutherford

eARC Finished: October 8, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR

“[…] The ending wrapped up a little too cleanly, but it was still satisfying. This is definitely going on my list of favorite duologies. I love what Mara did with these books and I highly recommend them. If you want to get swept away and fall in love with a story – then you need to check out Crown of Coral and Pear and then read this sequel. I kind of wish I’d reread COCAP before diving into this one – just as a refresher – but after a few pages it was as if I’d never left the world. I can easily see myself re-reading these books down the line. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I read Crown of Coral and Pearl and I’m so glad I took the chance, because otherwise, I would have missed out on Nor’s journey.”

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The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4) – Rick Riordan

Audiobook Finished: October 20, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR

This one was so-so for me. I don’t know. I just didn’t like it as much. This is the book that I really, really started to jive with Percy as a character. I loved how he acted around Annabeth. I loved that he was this awkward teenage boy who had very little clue as to how to navigate normal life and feelings. It made for a really entertaining read in that regard. As for the plot, this kind of just felt like a middle book, biding our time until the grand finale.

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Among the Beasts & Briars – Ashley Poston

eARC Finished: October 19, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review / GR

“[…] This book sucks you in and takes you away. Overall, I really did enjoy it. I was left wanting more – but I’m always left wanting more of books that I loved. I’ve not actually read any of Ashley Poston’s books prior to this one, and I can see why everyone loves her books. I now want to move Heart of Iron up on my TBR list.

The world she created just comes to life and it feels real. Everything was so vivid, and I could see it all. I love it when books fully transport you. I definitely recommend this book – I really don’t think it’ll disappoint you. If you’re looking for something to take you on an escape for a little while, you should definitely check this out!”

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The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5) – Rick Riordan

Audiobook Finished: October 21, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR

This was arguably the best book in this series. Hands down. I got chills while listening to it. The battle for the city was epic and so well done. I really liked Percy and Annabeth in this book. I’m all for the age up. This book actually made me excited to read the Heroes of Olympus, as they’ve been sitting on my shelves for years. I was surprised at how much I loved this book and how it ended. I couldn’t have predicted it going down the way it did.

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Gilded Rose (Celestials #1) – Emma Hamm

Audiobook Finished: October 23, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR

“[…] This book starts off in the middle of shit going down and it only gets progressively worse for Amicia (the MC). She has to make choices that she never thought she’d ever have to make and then she has to survive. In a world where creatures called the Dread hunt and turn humans, that’s not an easy feat. But she’s smart, tenacious and curious.

True to BatB form, she meets the “beast” the Dread King and she can tell that he’s different and things go sideways fast. But despite the first couple of meetings, I really enjoyed their interactions. I’m always down for a good snark fest and female MCs putting pompous “beasts” in their places. I’m also a sucker for these kinds of romances. Give me more.”

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Brave (A Wicked Trilogy #3) – Jennifer L. Armentrout

Audiobook Finished: October 23, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review TK / GR

This was a reread, but omfg, I forgot how much I love this book. Hell, the whole series. Jen knocked it out of the park with this one and Ivy’s emotional arc in this book is so good. How her and Ren navigate around each other, with each other, is just So Good. I don’t know how else to explain it without spoilers. It’s just really good.

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Not Another Love Song – Olivia Wildenstein

Audiobook Finished: October 24, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR

I didn’t enjoy this as much as I expected, but it was still a really good contemporary read. I’d definitely recommend it. I also really loved that the song that Angie writes in the book, is recorded at the end of the audiobook!! Like, can every audiobook dealing with music/is a musical retelling include the actual music please? Though, a little note of advice, turn your listening speed back down to 1x otherwise the song sounds super weird.

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A Deal with the Elf King – Elise Kova

eARC Finished: October 26, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR

“[…] I liked the world Elise created and how it mixed Beauty and the Beast elements with Hades and Persephone elements, while feeling wholly unique. It was so easy to get lost and swept away in the story. I do wish that the book had been maybe a tad bit longer? That might just be my desperate need for more Elise Kova books.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I hope that Elise ends up writing more books in this world. I love fantasy standalone novels. I can just (for the most part) turn my brain off and just get lost in the story. Swept up and away and just have fun. This book was fun with its various elements and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you pick it up.”

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Spring (Evermore Academy #2) – Audrey Grey

Audiobook Finished: October 27, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR

This was kind of an impulse listen. I was in the mood for another NA High Fantasy Romance book. I’m also a sucker for a school setting, hot fae and kickass heroines. This book leaves you with your jaw dropped, because what the fuck?!?! It took me a minute to remember what happened in the first book, but once it came back, I was thoroughly sucked in.

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Seven Crowns (Bellaton #1) – E.V. Everest

eBook Finished: October 28, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / Review / GR

“[…] As for the world…or worlds – I’m here for it! I’m such a sucker for SF books, and when you add some magical fantasy elements – I’m sunk. I was caught up and wrapped up in this world the author created. So familiar, but different enough that it feels otherworldly. I loved it. I’m also a sucker for school settings, so this book checks so many boxes.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens in the next book and I’m really looking forward to reading. I’m super appreciative the author sent me a copy, but I think I’m going to have to go buy a physical copy just so I can stare at the stunning cover whenever I want to.

If you’re looking for a fast paced, quick, enjoyable SFF read, look no further!”

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The Brightest Night (Origin #3) – Jennifer L. Armentrout

Audiobook Finished: October 30, 2020 / ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Review TK / GR

Fuck the ending of this book. You can’t end it like that and then make me wait for the final one. What the hell am I supposed to do until next year? I’m dying inside. True to form, Jen has left me bereft and dying for the next part of the story. Everything Evie and Luc go through in this book and it ends like THAT?!

This book is amazing though, and you get immediately sucked in and don’t want to put it down. I almost didn’t want to finish the last 14 minutes because I was terrified of what might happen.