Paper World

📚 RELEASE DAY REVIEW 😛

Martha Waters is back on the scene with To Love and to Loathe, the second installment in her Regency Vows series, and I am really excited to see this book hit shelves.

To Love and to Loathe is a delicious mix of some of my favourite tropes and I was delighted to see how the initial premise of "a bad performance review turns flirtatious frenemies into lovers who wager against each other on the odds of marriage to another" was developed. To hear me tell it, I know I make it sound a bit convoluted… but trust me, it's such fun!

Diana and Jeremy are the protagonists of this story, and having just recently read To Have and to Hoax, the first book in the series, I just knew I was going to love them. They were only secondary characters then, but their personalities just seemed to jump off the page from the first moment we met them. Especially Diana, to whom I related immensely.

The couple's chemistry is undeniable straight away and keeps you on the edge of your seat, expectantly anticipating the moment they will finally give in to their true feelings. However, what I appreciated the most when it came to their storyline was the intimacy between them, how they were able to be vulnerable with each other, and how well the author weaved in those scenes while still maintaining their sharp banter and quick witted bickering.

I would also like to point out how much I enjoyed the social commentary the author was able to include in this story without it ever feeling forced or out of place. Themes of heteronormativity and misogyny were discussed in a way that felt very pertinent and refreshing to see in a historical romance. Another strong point in this book was how communicative the couple was about pleasure, and how they were open to learn from each other.

Overall, I really enjoyed To Love and to Loathe and would recommend it to any fan of historical romance that might be looking for a new, unique voice in the genre.

📚 BOOK MAIL 📚

When I tell you that I ran down the stairs like a gazelle to grab this book from the postman…. OK, I might be exaggerating because I’m nowhere near as graceful as that 🙈

But I did run down the stairs nevertheless! I am way to excited about this book to waste any time getting it into my hands!

Happy release day to @mhairimcf and Last Night 🥳🥳

Last Night is a story about two friends, one missed chance, and a night that changes everything. Marian Keyes says it is “Brilliant on relationships, friendships, and emotions”, and Beth O'Leary called it “Gorgeously romantic”.

📚 BOOK MAIL 📚

It’s here, it’s here!! 🎉🎉

Happy publication day to @silvanhistorian and her stunningly gorgeous Sistersong!

In the words of the author herself, Sistersong is a story of sibling rivalry, betrayal, and transformation. It is also a reimagining of the old English folk murder ballad “The Two Sisters” - now including the perspective of the sibling that time forgot.

Sistersong has been called the perfect book for fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe, Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale.

📚 ARC REVIEW 📚

She’s a backpacker heading south. He’s a sailor going west. Will a hot night in Panama divert their course? Trish Doller called The Hitchhiker in Panama “a delicious cocktail of sailing, wanderlust, exoctic destinations, and steamy romance” and she could not have been more right.

This book was definitely a very balanced mix of all of those things. It was a low-angst, light, easy read perfect at providing me with an escape from the grim Scottish weather.

The writing style is straightforward and flows really well, keeping the story moving at a fairly fast pace without ever feeling rushed. The author is also clearly very knowledgeable when it comes to sailing and it was interesting to learn more about what goes on on a sailboat.

The best part for me, however, were definitely the characters. They were fun, fun-loving, and extremely lovable. Lila is our main character and we stay in her POV throughout, but everyone else leaves their mark in some way, especially Eivind, of course. I felt I could relate to both of them in different aspects of their personalities and their life journeys, and it was lovely to see a romance blossom between them without much of the drama we sometimes get in the genre.

Overall, I would recommend this book if you’re looking for some great escapism and a cozy, close proximity romance. If you have read and enjoyed either Shipped by @angie_hockman or Float Plan by @trishdoller this is definitely the perfect follow up.

The Hitchhiker in Panama is out next week, 6th April, and is avaible in ebook and paperback at all major retailers.

A prequel short-story and a bonus epilogue are also available if you sign up to the author’s newsletter. A new book in the series, titled The Sailor in Polynesia, is scheduled for Summer 2021.

📚 RAINBOW STACK 📚

Today’s #rainbowstack is inspired by @wordsandkissesclub #WAKSpringChallenge and the prompt “Bright”.

It also immediately reminded me of a quote I love: “You are all the colors in one, at full brightness” from All the Bright Places by @jenniferniven It paints such a vivid image!

These books in particular were chosen for a very specific reason, and that’s mainly so I can gush about all these authors and tell you to go read their books if you haven’t yet 😛

Sweethand by @trinielf is a new release and also a debut 🥳 I just started reading it last night and I am already hooked!

@rosiedanan and her The Roommate were at the top of my favourites list last year and cannot wait to read The Intimacy Experiment as soon as it comes out next week! 👩‍🏫

Olivia Dade and Spoiler Alert… Oh man, what a treat that book was! And the best part is that there is more coming so keep your eye out for All the Feels on October 26 🎬

Fan of renaissance faires? You cannot miss @jendelucawrites and her charming Well Met series! Next book comes out October 19! 🎪

@laurajaneauthor almost drove me crazy with The Love Square - the anticipation was real - but I will forgive her anything because I just adore her writing! And there’s more to come soon with the Lucky Escape out on June 15! 👙

@quicunquevult … Every time I try to talk about how much I love Boyfriend Material, all that comes out is pretty much unintelligible squeals. It’s a problem really because that book it’s SO GOOD it deserves poems written about it! And while I wait for Husband Material to come out, I will proceed to squal some more over Alexis Hall’s writing just on May with Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake - out on the 18th 🍰

📚 BOOK MAIL 📚

Happy release day to @trinielf and her gorgeous Sweethand!! 🥳🥳🥳

I will not confirm nor deny the possibility that some pacing around the living room might have taken place while waiting for the postman to arrive with my copy… I will not be taking criticism at this moment 😂

Have you looked at it though? It’s just so charming, and sweet, and cozy-looking! @lenikauffman never fails to deliver a stunning cover! 😍😍

Just wait until you hear about the plot though! Did I mention it’s HATE TO LOVE, the most superior trope ever? And that the main character is a PASTRY CHEF? Oh man, I can already feel the urge to bake calling out to me! Here’s how the story goes:

After a public meltdown over her breakup from her cheating musician boyfriend, Cherisse swore off guys in the music industry, and dating in general for a while, preferring to focus on growing her pastry chef business.

When Cherisse’s younger sister reveals she’s getting married in a few months, Cherisse hopes that will distract her mother enough to quit harassing her about finding a guy, settling down and having kids. But her mother’s matchmaking keeps intensifying.

Cherisse tries to humour her mother, hoping if she feigns interest in the eligible bachelors she keeps tossing her way, she’ll be off the hook, but things don’t quite go as planned. Turns out for the first time in ages, she and Keiran King, the most annoying man ever, are on the island at the same time. Avoiding him is impossible, especially when Keiran’s close friend is the one marrying her sister, and he’s the best man to her maid of honour.

Keiran doesn’t know what to make of Cherisse now. They’ve always butted heads. To him she’s always been a stuck-up brat who seeks attention, even while he secretly harbored a crush on her. Now with Cherisse’s sister marrying one of his good friends he can’t escape her as the wedding activities keep throwing them together.

When things turn heated after a rainy night of bedroom fun, they both have to figure out if they can survive the countdown to wedding day, without this turning into a recipe for disaster.

______________________

📚 DID YOU KNOW…? 📚

Today’s #WAKSpringChallenge is brought to you by the prompt “Flowers”. If you want to join in on the fun, check out @wordsandkissesclub for more details.

Now, let me introduce you to one of my favourite flowers: wisteria… Which technically is actually a flowering plant native to Japan, China and Korea.

Some of you may be aware that wisteria has recently become very popular due to a very small, very niche, very unknown TV show called @bridgertonnetflix , based on the bestselling series of books by @juliaquinnauthor… But did you know that wisteria was not actually introduced to Britain until 1816, three full years after the first season of Bridgerton takes place?

So that being said, I present to you The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by @india.holton This book is coming out in June and it’s one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Make sure to check it out! I can also confirm that wisteria was very much present in Britain at the time this story takes place 😉

📚 BOOK STACK 📚

What do you say to a 2 for 1 book stack?

Now, let me explain. As soon as I saw @wordsandkissesclub #WAKSpringChallenge I knew I wanted to join in and have some fun. Today’s prompt is “Sunshine” ☀️🌞☀️🌞 and I just knew playing around with some colourful books would be a great way to cheer me up on this very cloudy, very wet Scottish afternoon!

However, March is also Endometriosis Awareness Month in the UK and I have just been made aware that in the book community #InMarchWeStackYellowforEndo to help spread the word.

Endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in your body.

Symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain (lower tummy and back), severe period pain, and pain during or after sex. Endometriosis may also cause infertility.

📚 APRIL BUYS 📚

What books are you excited to read next month?? You know how some people do book hauls at the end of each month and show off the books they bought? Well, I usually know what I’m going to buy in advance and wanted to share my excitement with you!

Most of them are new releases by some of my favourite authors and have been pre-ordered for ages, I have literally been counting down the days. I cannot wait to have these beauties in my hands 😍

Definitely check these out if you’re a fan of these genres, reviews so far have been amazing and these are some phenomenal writers!

Contemporary Romance: - Last Night by @mhairimcf - The Intimacy Experiment by @rosiedanan - Second First Impressions by @sallythorneauthor - The Road Trip by @betholearyauthor

📚 CURRENTLY READING 📚

I picked up Simmer Down by @authorsarahs this morning and so far I’m really enjoying it. A trip to Maui was definitely in order to save me from this dreadful Scottish weather!

What are you guys reading this weekend?

If you’re curious about Simmer Down, here’s a little peak at what it’s about:

Nikki DiMarco knew life wouldn’t be all sunshine and coconuts when she quit her dream job to help her mom serve up mouthwatering Filipino dishes to hungry beach goers, but she didn’t expect the Maui food truck scene to be so eat-or-be-eaten—or the competition to be so smoking hot.

But Tiva’s Filipina Kusina has faced bigger road bumps than the arrival of Callum James. Nikki doesn’t care how delectable the British food truck owner is—he rudely set up shop next to her coveted beach parking spot. He’s stealing her customers and fanning the flames of a public feud that makes her see sparks.

📚 #AAPI BOOK RECS 📚

AAPI authors and bookstagrammers have joined in an effort to raise awareness to the ongoing violence and hate crimes targeting AAPI communities. Although I am not part of the community myself, I decided to join in as well to support, spread the word as much as possible, and #StandUpforAAPI

So here are some books/authors you might want to check out if you’re looking to #DiversifyYourBookshelf

First, 4 titles I currently have on my TBR and need to get to ASAP:

- Make Up Break Up by @sandhyamenonbooks - Loathe at First Sight by @suzannepark - Simmer Down by @authorsarahs - First Comes Like by @alisharaiwrites

Next, 4 titles coming out this year that you should definitely pre-order because they sound AMAZING:

- Tokyo Ever After by @emikojeanbooks - The Heart Principle by @hhoangwrites - Happy Endings by @msthienkim - The Dating Dare by @authorjaycilee