May’s My Month is Booked came around quick. This a monthly link up where you share a round-up of books you’ve read in the past month – or share a book review that you particularly enjoyed.
I’m really trying to get through Netgalley ARCs that I’ve had for a long time. The majority of these are books that have already been released, and since I tend to read physical books quicker, I decided to see if I could find any of these ARCs as finished versions via my library. Here are some quick reviews of the ones I’ve read so far. Use my Bookshop.org links to purchase and support my blog and independent bookstores.
Vampires Never Get Old: Tales With Fresh Bite
This is an anthology of short stories all about vampires. I really do like vampires and the different ways they can be portrayed, so this was a fun premise. I don’t always love short stories, but I actually really enjoyed most of these. Of course, I’d love more for some of these, but that’s just what happens. I think my favorite is First Kill by V.E. Schwab because it really used the idea of “first kill” in an interesting way, I think. It’s also a movie on Netflix now, I believe, which I need to still watch.
Love, Hate & Clickbait by Liz Bowery
Thom and Clay both work for the same governor, who has hopes of running for president. To help the governor look more LGBT+ friendly, she makes the two of them fake date each other. So it’s fake dating as well as enemies to lovers, which are both tropes I enjoy. I really liked seeing Thom and Clay learn more about each other and become closer. I do wish we got more of the “real” relationship, but the end kind of wrapped up quick. I would definitely read a sequel with these two, though I doubt that will happen. Forewarning though – if you hate politics, or can’t stand reading about it, this might not be for you because it definitely makes you mad in a lot of ways!
Eyes of the Forest by April Henry
Bridget secretly works as a researcher for a top fantasy author, but when she thinks he’s gone missing (and he has), she’s one of the only people that believes it and sets off trying to find him. The book is told in a few POV’s, but mostly Bridget and Bob, the author. Bob is kind of a George R.R. Martin type of author, and his ordeal is reminiscent of the author in Misery by Stephen King. This was a quick, interesting mystery! While not a lot is a “mystery” from the reader, it is from Bridget so it’s cool seeing her piece things together and work it all out.
The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle
Alex is a blogger whose family and life seems pretty picture perfect. However, when a post goes viral for all the wrong reasons, people quickly turn on Alex. At the same time, her personal assistant goes missing, and the police are looking at her and her husband for answers. The book follows a few POV’s to give readers the full story, and it worked well. I kept thinking one thing was happening and then realized near the end it was something else, which is always nice in a mystery. I don’t want things to be super obvious!
It seems like you had a good reading month!
I keep saying I’m going to go back and try to get caught up on my Netgalley back ARCs from before I realized asking for a bunch and not finishing them would hurt my percentage score on the site. Good luck to you as well!
Sometimes I can get older arcs on audio and catch up with them that way!
The Personal Assistant sounds great, and I think I need to check out tat vamp anthology too. Sounds fun!
I always enjoy fake dating and enemies to lovers kind of tropes too! That book sounds super cute.
Looks like you’re making great progress getting through some of those older ARCs. These all sound really good too.
I like the sound of The Personal Assistant and Eyes of the Forest!
Eyes of the Forest sounds like a cool premise! 😀 Going to be adding that to my to-read list. I love this linkup idea too! Hoping to get back to reading (and blogging) more so that I can join in! :]
That vampire book is on my TBR! I’m glad you mostly liked it.