ARC Review: Bling Date with a Vampire by Patricia Briggs

 


Title: Blind Date with a Werewolf

By: Patricia Briggs

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 288

Release Date: October 21st, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

When the deadly werewolf Asil is gifted five blind dates by some anonymous “friends,” his reclusive life will never be the same, in this enthralling novel in stories from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series.


Includes two all-new stories as well as three previously published stories.

Dear Asil:

We are worried about you. A werewolf alone is a sad thing, especially at Christmastime. So we have a challenge for you: five dates in three weeks. We have taken the work out of it and connected you with five people from online dating sites. You should also know that we have informed the whole pack and instigated a betting pool. Have fun!

Sincerely,
Your Concerned Friends

 

Add on Goodreads

 

Review:

This was a fun and engaging collection of short stories set in the Mercy Thompson world. Each tale added a little extra magic and depth to the universe, with the familiar mix of humor, danger, and heart that makes Briggs’ writing so enjoyable. While not every story stood out equally, the overall collection was a treat for fans of the series and a great way to revisit some beloved characters in bite sized adventures.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Weekly Menu #629 And The Book Of The Week

 


This week, our kitchen is traveling to the vibrant streets of Malaysia, where every dish bursts with color, texture, and bold yet balanced flavor. Malaysian cuisine is a beautiful blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. Fragrant with coconut, lemongrass, and spice, yet full of comforting, family friendly dishes. From smoky satay skewers to coconut rich soups and sizzling stir fries, this week’s menu is all about protein packed meals, plenty of vegetables, and a touch of tropical warmth to brighten our table.

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Kids - Chicken Satay Bowls

 

Tuesday

Nasi Goreng (Malaysian Fried Rice)

Kids - Fried Rice with Egg and Veggies

 

Wednesday

Stir Fried Tofu and Veggies

Kids - Coconut Chicken Tenders with Rice and Veggies

 

Thursday

Beef Rendang

Kids - Beef Ramen

 

Friday

Ikan Bakar (Grilled Fish Day!)

Kids - Cheese Quesadillas

 

Saturday

Chicken and Vegetable Laksa

Kids - Chicken Noodle Soup

 

Sunday

Leftovers Night

at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday Confessions #326

 


It’s time for another Sunday Book Confession, where I spill the bookish thoughts, habits, and surprises that have been living rent-free in my head all week. Whether it’s a new obsession, a reading slump, or a stack of unread books staring me down, Sundays are for honesty. So here’s what I’ve been thinking (and probably overthinking) about lately.


Sunday Confessions #325
~
Weekly Menu #628 And The Book Of The Week
~
ARC Review: The Mad Wife by Meagen Church
~
Book Review: The Kight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
~
Three Star Thursday
~
Five Star Friday


Weekly Menu #629 And The Book Of The Week
~
Bling Date with a Vampire by Patricia Briggs
~
Book Review: A Cures Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen
~
Reading through the Star Wars Universe Part 21
~
4 Star Friday
~
Sunday Confessions #327





Beautiful Darkness

Kami Garcia

★★★★☆

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is a strong follow up to Beautiful Creatures, even if it didn’t captivate me quite as much as the first book. The story takes the characters into darker territory, with new twists and emotional struggles that continue to expand the world of the Caster Chronicles. While the pacing felt a bit slower and the intrigue not as sharp as in book one, it’s still a solid continuance of the series that kept me invested in Lena and Ethan’s journey. A worthy 4 star read that sets the stage for what’s to come.








324/100 2025 Reading Challenge


At the end of the day, every bookish confession just reminds me how much I love being part of this reading journey, the highs, the slumps, and everything in between. Whether I’m adding yet another title to my TBR or finally checking one off, it’s all part of the fun. Until next Sunday, happy reading and happy confessing!

at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Five Star Friday

 


I’ve got way too many reviews sitting in my drafts, so it’s time to share a few of the standouts! For this week’s Five Star Friday, I’m highlighting the books that completely swept me away. The ones that made me feel all the emotions, kept me up way too late, and reminded me exactly why I love reading. Here are some of my recent five star favorites.

The Martian by Andy Weir was an absolute blast to read. I loved this one! Weir’s mix of science, humor, and survival kept me hooked from start to finish. Mark Watney’s voice is sharp, witty, and resilient, making his struggle to survive on Mars feel both thrilling and oddly relatable. The balance between technical detail and fast paced storytelling was spot on, and I found myself laughing just as often as I was holding my breath. A smart, funny, and unforgettable sci fi adventure.






I’m not sure what took me so long to read Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, but I absolutely loved it! The mix of court intrigue, rebellion, and electric powers hooked me from the start. Aveyard’s world feels rich and dangerous, and Mare’s journey kept me turning pages late into the night. It’s the perfect blend of fantasy, politics, and heart. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series.







I never thought this would be a topic I’d get into, but I couldn’t put this book down. It’s not Green’s typical kind of read, but it’s still so goo. Thoughtful, engaging, and unexpectedly moving. The way he approaches such a heavy subject made me stop and think long after I finished.








Silver Elite by Dani Francis was such a wonderful surprise. I loved this book. It struck the perfect balance of being familiar enough to sink into comfortably while still offering a fresh, unique spin that kept me hooked. The characters felt alive, the story carried just the right mix of intrigue and heart, and the writing had a flow that made it hard to put down. Dani Francis has a way of making a world feel exciting, and this one absolutely delivered.






Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid is another absolutely wonderful read from an author who never misses. I loved it from start to finish. The intensity, the drive, and the vulnerability of Carrie’s story pulled me in completely. Jenkins Reid captures ambition, aging, and redemption with such emotional depth that it’s impossible not to root for Carrie every step of the way.







at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Three Star Thursday

 


I have a huge backlog of reviews piling up, and honestly, I can’t seem to keep up with them all! So for this week’s Three Star Thursday, I’m rounding up a few of my recent reads that landed right in the middle of the rating scale. Not bad, not amazing, just solid stories that had their moments but didn’t quite shine as brightly as others. Here’s a look at what I’ve been reading lately.

Firefly Lane had an emotional start. I cried several times in the beginning, but as the story went on, the main characters started to wear on me. Their choices felt frustrating, and by the end, instead of feeling the impact of the conclusion, I was too annoyed to connect with it. A heartfelt story at its core, but ultimately the characters kept me from loving it.







Remain was exactly what I expected. A typical Nicholas Sparks story mixed with the letdown of an M. Night Shyamalan twist. I kept hoping for a wild or unique premise, but it ended up feeling pretty generic. The character development was so thin that I honestly thought the main character was a woman for half the book. While it didn’t work for me, I think die hard Nicholas Sparks fans will probably still enjoy it.






The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving wasn’t quite what I expected. The first 80% of the story focuses heavily on describing Ichabod Crane and his interests, especially in women, leaving very little room for the Headless Horseman. While the writing captures the atmosphere of early American folklore, I was a bit disappointed that the legendary figure himself plays such a small part in the tale.






Each book in this trilogy seemed to lose a bit of its spark, and by the time I reached Ruin and Rising, I felt more disappointed than satisfied. I loved the first book, but this finale just didn’t deliver for me. The pacing, characters, and resolution all fell flat compared to the promise of the beginning.








I think this book peaked in the first 20%, when the story was at its most gripping. After the central event, I found my interest fading as the timelines and characters began to jump around, which made it harder to stay connected. I usually love Jodi Picoult’s work and the way she pulls me in emotionally, but this one didn’t give me the familiar feels I expect from her books. Still, her writing is strong, and fans of her courtroom style storytelling may enjoy it more than I did.







at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Book Review: The Kight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

 


Title: The Night and the Moth

By: Rachel Gillig

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 385

Release Date: May 20th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:

Sybil Delling has spent nine years dreaming of having no dreams at all. Like the other foundling girls who traded a decade of service for a home in the great cathedral, Sybil is a Diviner. In her dreams she receives visions from six unearthly figures known as Omens. From them, she can predict terrible things before they occur, and lords and common folk alike travel across the kingdom of Traum's windswept moors to learn their futures by her dreams.

Just as she and her sister Diviners near the end of their service, a mysterious knight arrives at the cathedral. Rude, heretical, and devilishly handsome, the knight Rodrick has no respect for Sybil's visions. But when Sybil's fellow Diviners begin to vanish one by one, she has no choice but to seek his help in finding them. For the world outside the cathedral's cloister is wrought with peril. Only the gods have the answers she is seeking, and as much as she'd rather avoid Rodrick's dark eyes and sharp tongue, only a heretic can defeat a god.

 

Add on Goodreads

 

Review:

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig was an atmospheric and enchanting read that swept me up with its lush prose and haunting imagery. Gillig creates a world that feels both eerie and magical, filled with tension, romance, and folklore like beauty. The characters are layered and compelling, though at times I wished the pacing had been a little tighter, as certain sections dragged compared to the otherwise mesmerizing narrative. Still, the gothic atmosphere and emotional depth made this a memorable story that lingered long after I turned the final page. A strong, evocative read that fans of dark fairy tales will love.


at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)