Hello, lovelies! 🎑 Its been awhile since I have done a bookish tag and I think this one is very apt for this time of the year! I have noticed most of you do the tag by mid July so maybe I’m late to the party but I couldn’t resist doing this one! It was so fun going back to all the books I’ve read and try to pick depending on the topic ~
Best book you’ve read so far in 2021 ✨
I have read so many fantastic books this year 😙 But, two that come to mind and I can’t pick which one would be the best: Sweet as Honey by Lucy Lennox and Role Model by Rachel Reid. Both books were amazing and I don’t think I will ever have enough words to describe how truly glorious they are.
Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2021 🤔
Feral by Alessandra Hazard: this book has a very interesting take on A/B/O. The world the author creates is in another planet ruled by moons which impacts the gender of the person born under a specific moon. The romance was top notch, and the plot itself was really good, I love a good enemies to lover with a dash of forbidden romance and second chances.
New release you haven’t read yet, but want to 😆
XOXO by Axie Oh: the book sounds very cute and fluffy which is something I like to read from time to time. Also, as an OG K-POP fan I think reading a romance book involving a K-Idol would be so cool!
Cello prodigy Jenny has one goal: to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets mysterious, handsome Jaewoo in her uncle’s Los Angeles karaoke bar, it’s clear he’s the kind of boy who would uproot her careful plans. But in a moment of spontaneity, she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure…before he disappears without a word. Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her ailing grandmother, she’s shocked to discover that Jaewoo is a student at the same elite arts academy where she’s enrolled for the semester. And he’s not just any student. He’s a member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world—and he’s strictly forbidden from dating. When a relationship means throwing Jenny’s life off the path she’s spent years mapping out, she’ll have to decide once and for all just how much she’s willing to risk for love.
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year 🙌🏻
I think Illicit by Alessandra Hazard wins this position! Boy, when I read Feral I was looking forward to knowing if Liam, one of the characters would get his chance at love and Illicit is that book! I’m so ready and I can’t believe I have to wait until December to read it ;A;
Biggest disappointment 😢
It kills me to say this but: Ten Things I Hate About The Duke by Loretta Chase. The book was such a disappointment, I had been waiting for this release since I read – and loved – book one in 2018. I did not enjoy the pacing, found it too slow plus the repetitiveness of some plot devices was too much for me to truly enjoy the book. I DNFed it at 29%.
Biggest surprise 🤩
Tank by K.M. Neuhold & Nora Phoenix: I think the whole series of Ballsy Boys is this year’s biggest surprise. Every book is so good, and I loved every character. I think is the biggest surprise because I didn’t expect the book to be about a porn company which okay, I’m laughing just thinking about it but yes, is about a porn company and how the actors there find love. Like I mentioned, I loved every character and this book ‘Tank’ specially won me over with the enemies to friends to lovers trope. I was living vivaciously through the characters 😀 – not the sexy times but the romance part, it was just gorgeous!
Favourite new author (Debut or new to you) 🌟
I always like to read from authors I already know and I rarely find new authors, when I do they are good but they don’t become an instant favorite. This year discovered Sam Burns & W.M. Fawkes and their series Wolf Moon Rising. I really like these authors and their series is phenomenal! While ‘favorite’ is a very strong words especially when I have only read one of their series, I truly like their books and I’m glad I discovered their series this year (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ
Newest fictional crush 💖
I rarely have crushes on characters – while I love them in the book and enjoy seeing them have a HEA I rarely have ‘crushes’ on them. This year as always I have found a lot of amazing characters and one of them is Troy from Role Model. I don’t think a crush would be the correct word but I absolutely adored Troy. There was a certain sense of ‘hessocutehessoadorableheneedsathousandhugs’ chanting inside my mind while reading this book. He’s quiet but observant, shy, unsure of himself, needs friends and support, had made horrible decisions before but found the right path and was able to change for the better. His redemption arc was just amazing and I was all for it. Mostly, he needed hugs – and lots of them!
Newest favourite character 🤫
Quan from The Bride Test! I adored Quan in this book, he was mentioned in book one and I believe appeared in some chapters but he is a steady presence in book two. Quan is amazing, a businessman, family man and lover 😀 I loved his attitude towards everything, how he supports his brother and his family, but mostly his character. Quan is a womanizer but I felt he is more than that and I can’t wait for his book The Heart Principle. I think he will be an amazing lead and I look forward for his HEA because I know he deserves it. There is no one more selfless than Quan!
Book that made you cry 🥺
I don’t remember a specific book that has made me cry – I do tear up easily when I read angsty scenes more often than not – but Heartstopper Volume 4 was very dark and I did cry a bit when I first read it. Charlie’s situation was extremely sad, Nick feeling he needed to take the responsibility on his shoulders, Charlie’s mother not really understanding him. The whole thing was so sad ಥ_ಥ
Book that made you happy 🤯
Playground Games by Lily Morton. I read it at the beginning of the year and this book made me so happy and giddy, it was the cutest romance, it had a lot of banter, flirting, and mostly some very VERY funny scenes! One of the main characters Gus is a train wreck and I was all for it! (▰˘◡˘▰)
Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received) 👇🏻
Graceling in paperback is stunning! Role Model – should I explain how much this cover is everything, doesn’t need any further explanation about such perfection. And lastly, Six Crimson Cranes, I initially boght the UK version which is so gorgeous but then got the e-book and the cover is marvelous!
What books do you need to read by the end of the year? 📚
I recently shared about books I look forward to reading by the end of the year ಠ‿↼
Favorite book to film adaptation 📽
I haven’t watch anything remarkable this year based on books, but can I just say Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie is coming on Sept 17 and I can’t wait!
Favorite post you’re done this year 👩🏻💻
Definitively MEET THE BLOGGER BEHIND THE SCREEN introducing yours truly.
B&G(on hiatus) 
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