Sunday, June 10, 2018

Sundays with Sam - The Sunday Post



Sundays with Sam is a combination of Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

My Week in Review

My daughter's move was successful, and I can now add IKEA furniture assembly to my resume. I was very grateful the weather cooperated,  and that the Cubs were away freeing me from the "price surge" at the meter. Since they were in NY, I only had to pay $4/hour to park. Thanks, Chicago.

I have to share, because this is so cute

More cute

These were a few cover reveals I was really excited about.




On the Blog:
  • Monday: In a Nutshell - The Game Can't Love You Back, Summer Skin, A Date with Darcy
  • Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday - California, Here We Come! 
  • Wednesday: Can't-Wait Wednesday - The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody
  • Thursday: Blog Tour - Just One of the Royals by Leah & Kate Rooper ($20 GC #giveaway)
  • Friday: Discussion - Let's Jump Ahead
  • Saturday: Review - Now I Rise by Kiersten White
STACKING THE SHELVES

It was a very quite week as far as approvals for me, BUT I did get approved for a book I was highly anticipating, so that's something.

Edelweiss/NetGalley

What I Read Last Week


I had a pretty good reading week. I was infuriated by one book, but really happy, because Sandhya Menon did not let me go with her newest release. From Twinkle, With Love was my favorite this week. I just loved it.
  • Kissing Games by Tara Eglington: I enjoyed being back in Aurora Skye's world. Aurora was still that wonderful, old fashioned lover of love, who I adored from the first book, but this was her coming of age book, I guess. She got big tastes of reality, and experienced some painful truths. I think that was why I didn't love it as much as the first book, but I did still liked it. ★★★ 1/2
  • Dangerous Deception by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl (audiobook): I swear, I kept rewinding the audiobook, thinking I missed something, because that ending made me want to throw my cell phone. I just wasn't into it. I will say, I enjoyed the book until the end, but that ending just made me super sad. I think there was originally a rumor of third book, but that never happened, and so, I am heartbroken. ★★★
  • Thief of Happy Endings by Kristen Chandler: Girl, suffering from depression due to parents' divorce and friend abandonment, is sent to ranch camp for some alternative therapy. An interesting concept, which was fairly well executed. I was won over by the Wyoming local and the horses. I learned so much about ranches and the Mustang issue out west. ★★★ 1/2
  • Tell Me No Lies by A.V. Geiger: A solid finale for this duology. I felt this book was heavier on action and suspense, than the previous book, and there were a ton of twists, many of which I had not anticipated. Once again, the story went OTT, but sometimes I find that fun, if it is done right, and it was the delicious kind of OTT here. ★★★★
  • From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon: Menon knows the way to my heart! Once again, she delighted me and made me happy. She is so good at writing wonderful, cupcake boys for me to love, and I will forever read her books. Another winner for me. ★★★★ 1/2
  • Screwed by Kelly Jamieson: What a wonderful friends-to-more romance! I enjoyed every second of this one. It was fun, flirty, and heartwarming. I adored the dynamic between the hero and the heroine, and Cassie's story arc was a great one. ★★★★
  • For Keeps by Natasha Friend (audiobook): I have developed a fondness for Friend's stories, and she won me over again with this one. It was a great story, which explored all kinds of relationships. I found myself relating strongly with the story regarding Josie's paternity, but the friendships, mother-daughter bond, and romantic relationships explored were also well done. ★★★★

What I Am Currently Reading


As I continue trying to finish some of my unfinished series, I checked out the Ruby Oliver books. I am a fan of Lockhart's writing, and the throwback references are pretty fun for me.

I am reading Destination for a blog tour, and so far, it's really interesting. It features families, who live a nomadic life, traveling from place to place in an RV. Never staying more than a few days. I am so not a rolling stone, so I am fascinated.
What I Plan to Read

How was your week?
Let us know in the comments!

59 comments:

  1. Hooray for a successful mood! And so jealous you got To Be Honest. I'm excited to read Kissing Games, and From Twinkle (well, actually I haven't read When Dimple Met Rishi yet). ♥

    - Aimee @ Aimee, Always

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    1. I was really excited to get To Be Honest. It sounds fabulous! Menon writes really cute, adorable, and heartwarming YA contemporaries, and I always love her heroes.

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  2. Glad to hear the move went smoothly. I want a hedgehog so bad, but I don’t think my dogs would be real happy about it, but they’re so cute! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

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    1. Hedgehog of the day always inspires my want of one too. Maybe your dogs would adopt it.

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  3. Glad your daughter's move went well. Bet you're glad THAT'S over! And ooh platypus' (or is it platypi? I have no idea) and the hedgehog too- cute. :)

    I'm pretty excited about the cover reveal for Two Can Keep A Secret. And Serious Moonlight is a nice cover too. Tell Me No Lies looks good, and I want to get The Brightsiders.

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    1. I was just thinking the same thinking the same thing, so I googled it. It seems platypus is NOT a Latin word, so most people go with platypus (like sheep, singular and plural) or platypuses. I think it was S&S, who did cover reveals last week, and they were all pretty incredible. My 2019 TBR shelf is filling up quickly.

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  4. Nice new read! Totally new to me one but I hope you will thoroughly enjoy it!

    Here's my STS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  5. I’m glad the move was successful. I saw the hedgehogs and platypuses on Twitter. I love them because they look like Harry Potter animals. Have a great week! Enjoy your new books.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. I love all that is cute. My daughter and I send each other cute pictures all day. This is one of the best uses of the internet, if you ask me. Huh, never considered they would fit in with HP animals.

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  6. I can't wait to read Brightsiders too. I loved Queens of Geek. I'm reading The Tombs and am 50% done and hoping the pace picks up. I'm also reading Decluttering at the Speed of Life (just 4 chapters in) and am enjoying the humorous and conversational tone. I'm worried, however, because the author said even books need to be decluttered. I'm going to fail.

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    1. I bought Queens of Geek, and had wanted to do a dual thing, but I am too far behind. It's review books only these days. I hate clutter, and that is why I am so keen on ebooks. I have lived in a small space for so long, I keep my worldly possession to a minimum. My daughter's apartment in Chicago is so small, that she has to do another purge of her things. She is the opposite of me, and has so many things.

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  7. I keep seeing that One of Us is Lying remains on the bestesellers list and I really need to pick my copy up and see what it is all about. Those animal pics are so cute!!!

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    1. I really liked it. I thought the characters and the story was great, and yeah, I did figure it out before the reveal, but it was a great journey. Cute animals are cute and own me.

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  8. So many fun and lovely covers! The hedgehog is adorable and makes me want to take a nap. LOL

    My Sunday Post

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    1. The covers are distracting me from my 2018 books! I need to focus, but I can't resist the call of the pretty covers.

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  9. Adorable animals!! I love hedgehogs! I hope you enjoy your upcoming reads - The Bright Siders looks interesting!

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    1. I am jealous of all people who have hedgehogs, but grateful for those who tweets the cutest pics of them every day.

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  10. Ooh, wow! The blog has definitely changed! So very different :) but I like it!

    And the hedgehog is super adorable :D

    I hope you have a great week!

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    1. This was my mother's day gift and I love it! My daughter did a great job, and well, Sloth is like our mascot, so I am pleased he gets so much love here.

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  11. Serious Moonlight looks adorable! I want a platypus. Glad the move went well. Putting furniture together earns you a few new books

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    1. Let's be real, Jenn Bennett could leave the synopsis off and put trash on the cover, and I will still want to read her book. Hey! I like how you are thinking of my reward for surviving IKEA furniture assembly.

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  12. You have some tempting books! Thanks for sharing, and enjoy them all. Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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  13. Yes! I was super excited about the cover reveals as well. I cannot wait until those books release. Thank you for sharing.

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  14. I absolutely adore the Ruby Oliver books. I hope you love that one enough to continue the series. It’s s favorite.

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    1. I already have the 3rd audiobook downloaded on my phone. Ruby is witty, wry, and all this boy book stuff has me in stitches.

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  15. Glad to hear the move went smoothly! I was excited about those cover reveals as well, especially the Jenn Bennett one :)

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    1. That cover has me even more excited than I was before. I feel a cozy romance from that cover, but you know, it doesn't matter, because Bennett can write anything and I'll read it. Love her!

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  16. Glad to hear the move went well! Oh my new Jenn Bennet! I can't wait. Have a great week and happy reading!

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  17. I've heard great things about Lucy Parker, I can't wait to see your review for this!

    And I absolutely adore that hedgehog-a-day account. Sooo precious and cute!

    I'm happy to see that Tell Me No Lies was action packed and suspenseful!

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    1. I am such a fan of Parker's series. They are fun and charming and all sorts of wonderful. I am ashamed of myself for sitting on this book for so long.

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  18. To Be Honest sounds good. I'll be looking forward to your thoughts on it! Happy reading!
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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    1. I am loving all the body positive books out there, and the whole fashion angle has me thinking I will love it.

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  19. Glad the move went well! Enjoy your new book-it sounds great!

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  20. Awww...those animal photos are sooo cuuutttee!!! And Karen McManus is making a sequel to "One of Us is Lying?" AWESOME!!!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays and Cover Spotlight!

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    1. I was such a fan of McManus' first book, and am excited to return to that world.

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  21. Thanks for the cute today :) IKEA furniture assembly is a much needed skill at times. Glad the parking situation worked out for you. I once had to pay $45 to park in a garage to go to concert in Chicago. It is crazy there! Have a great week!

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    1. The cute is how I get through each day. I forget how oppressive parking in the city is, because I have been in the suburbs for so long. Even when I went to visit my daughter when she was an undergrad, I would drive to the suburban parts of Syracuse to avoid the parking drama.

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  22. Those animal pics are SO CUTE! Glad your daughter's move went well :-) I've put together one piece of furniture in my entire life, and it was only four pieces and some screws, and I was proud just to accomplish that, haha.

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    1. I was mentally and physically exhausted after putting together a bed, armoire, desk/filing cabinets, and office chair, but the prices couldn't be beat.

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  23. There is so much cuteness in the post!! <3

    I am SUPER EXCITED about Serious Moonlight!! Jenn Bennett is my jam, and this books sounds amazing and adorable.

    L @ Do You Dog-ear?

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  24. Love all the books! I think I'll be checking out almost all of your posts from last week. :) Have a fantastic week!

    Tressa @ Wishful Endings

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    1. There are way too many books to be excited about these days.

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  25. Oh! I want to read The Boyfriend Bracket, too! Also, don't you just love hedgehogs? I swear I want one so bad!

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    1. I really do love hedgehogs, but I know I don't have the time or energy to care for another living thing. Therefore, I am really happy that Hedgehog of the Day exists to give me that infusion of cute.

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  26. I love photos of the platypodes and the hedgehog. Have a wonderful week. 🌞

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  27. I'm glad your daughter's move went well and you weren't stuck paying outrageous money to park! Omg, that hedgehog is adorable!!

    -lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. The one thing I hate about visiting a city is the parking costs and struggle to find a space. If I go to visit, I am flying and traveling around the city via public transportation.

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  28. Glad the move went well! I hate building IKEA furniture therefore I salute you! I typically leave it all to the professor who is a flat pack master. :)

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    1. My dad helped a little, and thank goodness he was there, because the armoire pieces were really big.

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  29. OMG the Ruby Oliver books! I was absolutely obsessed with them back in the day. Honestly I think they'd be mega-hits if they were published now.

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    1. I just finished the 3rd one today. Her growth has been incredible, and I really like the way Lockhart focused on different areas of her personal growth in each book. I love doing backlist books via audio and was so excited the library had all of these, because I read the first one years ago, and have been wanting to finish the series forever.

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  30. That hedgehog is so cute! Oh my gosh! :)

    This past week I went to IKEA for the first time - what a maze!

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    1. I love the way they wind you through the building at IKEA, and I always get the meatballs too.

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