Title: The Life Impossible
By: Matt Haig
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 324
Release Date: August 29th, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★
Summary from Goodreads:
I confess, I'm addicted to books, ballet, and food.
Title: The Life Impossible
By: Matt Haig
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 324
Release Date: August 29th, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★
Title: Sky on Fire
By: E.K. Johnston
Genre: Sci-fi
Pages: 272
Release Date: July 22nd, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review:
Title: A Sorceress Comes to Call
By: T. Kingfisher
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 321
Release Date: August 6th, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★
Title: Maid for Each Other
By: Lynn Painter
Genre: Romance
Pages: 368
Release Date: July 15th, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★
Lynn Painter serves up a sparkling, feel good adult rom‑com with Maid for Each Other. The perfect blend of sharp banter, swoony moments, and emotional warmth. This feels like a modern day Maid in Manhattan or Pretty Woman vibe, only with stronger humor and a heroine you root for from the very first page.
Abi Mariano, a hardworking grad student juggling two jobs, unexpectedly ends up sleeping in the penthouse of her millionaire client, Declan Powell, after a building infestation. When his parents arrive and assume she’s his girlfriend “Abby,” Declan scrambles and proposes a fake‑dating arrangement to keep his image intact. Complete with fully covered living expenses for Abi.
What truly shines is Painter’s dual POV and quick witted dialogue. Abi’s sass and sincerity balance perfectly against Declan’s stoic billionaire charm. Their chemistry is electric, even when their fake relationship is strictly business at first.
Despite the pacing being brisk and the premise somewhat contrived, this was a hit for summer reading. Fun, immersive, and impossible to put down.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Monday
Aussie BBQ Chicken & Sweet Potato Wedges
Kids - Chicken and Fries
Tuesday
Kangaroo (or Lean Beef) Burger with Coleslaw
Kids - Cheese Burgers and Salad
Wednesday
Chicken Parmigiana with Broccolini
Kids - Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli
Thursday
Balsamic Marinated Steak with Roasted Pumpkin Salad
Kids - Nutella Toast and Fruit
Friday
Kids - Beef Ramen and Apple Sauce
Saturday
Lamb Koftas with Tzatziki and Flatbread
Kids - Flatbread Pizza
Sunday
Leftovers Night
It took me 17 years to finish this series. I started City of Bones when I had just given birth to my oldest child. Back then, it was something to read while I pumped at work, something to escape into, and for a while, it worked. The first few books were entertaining enough: dark urban fantasy, a snarky cast of characters, and a gritty, demon slaying New York. I was along for the ride.
But then the series took a turn. A very weird turn. As the plot progressed, it felt like the story became obsessed with sibling romance, and then, more disturbingly, there were themes that hinted at incestual rape. And that was the point where I mentally checked out. It stopped being about the adventure or the characters and started revolving around taboo drama that felt more exploitative than meaningful. I couldn’t understand the direction it was going or why these themes kept coming up, especially in a series marketed to teens.
It made me wonder: who exactly was this for? Because it stopped feeling like something a young adult audience would, or should, connect with.
The only reason this series breaks 3 stars is because of the first few books. They had spark, humor, and a strong enough plot to keep me interested. But the deeper I got into the series, the more it felt like a chore to finish. It wasn't all bad. There are moments of decent worldbuilding and a few side characters that deserved better, but overall, it lost the magic it started with.
Would I recommend The Mortal Instruments? Maybe the first few books, to the right reader. But for me, this series ended up being more frustrating than fulfilling. At least I can finally say: it’s done. Seventeen years later.