Work has been crazy busy this month, so I haven’t had as much time to read as I’d like. But the books I did manage to squeeze in were definitely worth it, especially one that I’ve been counting down the days for.
Madness by Shantel Tessier– 3/5
When I say I devoured this book in 48 hours, I mean it—I was up day and night, fully immersed. I’ve been eagerly waiting for this release, and since it dropped on a day I wasn’t working, I got to dedicate my whole day to it.
This book is a monster at over 800 pages, packed with smut—pretty much what you’d expect from this series—but it also has a storyline that kept me hooked. Compared to some of the other books in the series, this one was less confusing, which was a relief. Out of all six in the series, this ranks a solid second place for me, right behind The Sacrifice. There’s plenty of angst, which I’m all for, but I have to admit, the shift from the heroine wanting to take the hero down to suddenly falling for him was a bit too quick for my liking.
Overall, I’d say this book is a win. Just a heads up—it’s not a standalone, so definitely read the other books first to get the full experience. My one wish? That there had been more communication between Haydin and Charlotte. I get that she was undercover, but even after they were married, there were hardly any moments where they really connected through conversation. It would’ve added so much more depth to their relationship.
Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Petersen- 3/5
This audiobook may be short, but it’s incredibly relatable. Having gone through burnout in a previous job, I found comfort in hearing others share their experiences. It’s easy to feel isolated when you’re stuck in a miserable job, city, or relationship, while it seems like everyone else is moving forward and thriving. The author does an excellent job of exploring how millennials have reached this point, incorporating real-life stories from individuals who’ve been there.
Listening to this audiobook felt more like enjoying a podcast. The engaging dialogues between the author and her guests, combined with insightful commentary on historical and current events, made for an enriching and thought-provoking experience.
The Hollow Boys Series by Monty Jay– 2.5/5
I discovered this series on Kindle Unlimited, and while it was a quick read, it didn’t leave a lasting impression. These books are ideal for moments when you want something light and mindless—nothing too deep, with a bit of smut and predictable plot lines. They’re easy to breeze through and provide a nice break from more intense reads like Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, which invites deep reflection and extensive note-taking.
That said, the series had its shortcomings. The writing was marred by frequent grammar and spelling errors, incomplete sentences, and the misuse of similar but incorrect words. These issues were distracting and took away from the overall enjoyment of the books.