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NOVEMBER RECAP // i turned 21 ft new fave series, graphic novel mania, new books and life is good again!!!
It’s me hi I’m actually not the problem today. BECAUSE I AM SO EARLY WOWZA!!!! Like my Taylor Swift reference? I’m just talking nonsense so let’s get into it!!!! — Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston {★★★★½}: Me? Actually reading a book that’s been on my tbr longer than I’ve had a TikTok account? A Christmas miracle. I’ve talked to death about how much fun I had with this series and I’m a pro blogger so I’m just sending you right over to the series review on the blog here <3<3<3 Soul of Stars by Ashley Poston {★★★★½}: My marketing skills are on fire if you ask me. Fab fab fab Anastasia in space duology to binge with just my typa romance, fast plot and glorious writing READ THEM NOWWW!!!! Series review here in case you didn’t click *wink wink* The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill {★★★★☆}: I have a free trial on Kindle Unlimited alright. I was in Poston withdrawals and decided to read these on my iPad. And UGH how cute, just as expected. This first instalment is probably my least favourite of the three, in terms of enjoyment. But the art is amazing and such a…
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DEMON IN THE WOOD BY LEIGH BARDUGO // spoiler-free book review: the darkling origin story in stunning graphic novel format that you need to read
Just realised I have never actually reviewed a graphic novel on here before and idk why this is notable but there you go. And you’re getting two posts in a row, I’ll call that a miracle! Anyways, really excited about today’s post and you have my personal permission to publically shame me if I don’t FINALLY read the Grisha trilogy after this. Seriously. Come back in like idk 3 months? A reasonable amount of time. I’ll stop now so we can get into the post!!! Title: Demon In The WoodSeries: Grishaverse book #0Author: Leigh BardugoIllustrator: Dani PendergastPage count: 200Date published: 27 September 2022Genre: Young Adult Fantasy 🖤 Synopsis: Before he led Ravka’s Second Army, before he created the Fold, and long before he became the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy burdened by an extraordinary power. Eryk and his mother, Lena, have spent their lives on the run. But they will never find a safe haven. They are not only Grisha—they are the deadliest and rarest of their kind. Feared by those who wish to destroy them and hunted by those who would exploit their gifts, they must hide their true abilities wherever they go. But sometimes deadly secrets…
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HEART OF IRON & SOUL OF STARS BY ASHLEY POSTON // spoiler-free series review: an action-packed sci-fi Anastasia retelling i didn’t know i needed in my life
I didn’t know that I’d be bringing you this post today but I actually just could not come and yell about this series that I have devoured over the last few days. Really colour me surprised but it was a great time and I want more people to read these gems! I read these back to back, hence this is a double review as my thoughts are sort of intermingled. But without further ado, let’s get into the review < 3 Title: Heart of Iron // Soul of StarsSeries: Heart of IronAuthor: Ashley PostonPage count: 467 // 400Date published: 27 February 2018 // 23 July 2019Genre: YA sci-fi 💫 Book One Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Ana is a scoundrel by nurture and an outlaw by nature. Found as a child drifting through space with a sentient android called D09, Ana was saved by a fearsome space captain and the grizzled crew she now calls family. But D09—one of the last remaining illegal Metals—has been glitching, and Ana will stop at nothing to find a way to fix him. Ana’s desperate effort to save D09 leads her on a quest to steal the coordinates to a lost ship that could offer all…
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ONE OF US IS LYING SEASON 1 & 2 // spoiler-free tv show review: a perfect teen mystery you will binge in two days ft. drama, cute romance and all the fun
This post has been in the drafts for far too long so thank the heavens I’m actually getting around to it. I honestly do not remember how to post film reviews even though I’m a film major. I choose to ignore that detail. Anyways, I’m going to shoot my shot here because I really want to yell about this show. I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing but giving it my best folks, just bear with me. Quick disclaimer: this is mostly going to be about season two because it’s been a hot second since I watched the first season. And I don’t plan on spoiling any major plot points, I’m not an awful person about to ruin your fun. Let’s get into it! CASTING & CHARACTERS I literally have one complaint about this show and it’s that some of these actors look like they’re 30. Nothing against them because their performances are great but I struggle to picture them as teens #sorrynotsorry. Casting is accurate and inaccurate at the same time and I don’t know what to think. Aside from that, they all did a great job and what I love is that the cast feels so connected…
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AUGUST, SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER RECAP // uni had me by the neck but i finished ft. not a lot of reading, some movies, midnights & student exhaustion
If you honestly thought I could be prompt with these, then I thank you for your faith. You’re the best, you’re a real one and I love you to the moon and back. To everyone who had realistic expectations… yeah same. Let’s catch up! — Hothouse Flower by Krista & Becca Ritchie {★★★½☆}: looking back, my rating seems too generous because I don’t remember what happened in this book ahah. Still apprehensive about Daisy and Ryke, and literally what was stopping these authors from ageing Daisy up like two years? It’s weird. Their actual connection is quite sweet personality-wise, but eh I don’t care all that much. Tried continuing with the rest of this series but I’m a LiLo supporter through and through *hides* GR review here! Addicted After All by Krista & Becca Ritchie {★★★★☆}: This series slowly but surely came for my heart and I am so glad that the Internet wasn’t lying to me about this couple. It’s dang good and Lily and Lo are everything to me. Ugh adore and will protect them with my entire soul. Sad their series is over but also oof I tried continuing with the rest and it’s lowkey too much…
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LOVE ON THE BRAIN BY ALI HAZELWOOD // spoiler-free book review: an adult romance sizzling with chemistry ft. neuroscience geekiness, enemies to lovers & cats
Hi hello wonderful friends I’ve been sitting on this review for a hot minute and I’m so ready to finally talk about it because I LOVED this book so so so much. Like a huge amount. Like a ‘Bee and Levi could step on me and I’d let them’ amount!!!! Imma stop wasting time and just get to it! Title: Love On The BrainAuthor: Ali HazelwoodPage count: 368Date published: 23 August 2022Genre: Adult contemporary romance ✉ Synopsis: Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered her the lead on a neuro-engineering project – a literal dream come true – Marie would accept without hesitation. Duh. But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward. Sure, Levi is attractive in a tall, dark, and piercing-eyes kind of way. But Levi made his feelings toward Bee very clear in grad school – archenemies work best employed in their own galaxies far, far away. But when her equipment starts to go missing and the staff ignore her, Bee could swear she sees Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays, seconding her ideas… devouring her with those eyes. The possibilities have all…
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JULY RECAP // tons of reading, vacation bliss, st4 broke me & back to uni ft. some new fave books
I read a lot of books. Like a lot. And it feels so good. Are you proud of me? I’m also fairly on time with this. Double proud. God, I’m conceited and I’m talking too much about myself. This is my blog, but not the Ruby show. I need to get it together. Anyways, let’s just get into this recap!!! — — See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon {★★★★★}: I was actually really nervous going into this as I’d seen some average reviews, but I’m absolutely here for college contemporaries and time-loop tales. It’s a great time. This book was just pure escapism and I loved every second. I loved the writing, the setting, the discussions on mental health, and the relationship between Miles and Barrow. It was all squeal-worthy and wonderful and I loved it to shreds. If you can’t already tell, you definitely need to hop on this stellar new adult time loop contemporary romance that will make you feel all the feels over and over and over and over again. This one shines with witty dialogue, swoon-worthy romance and tender-hearted characters. I HIGHLY recommend!!!! All the thoughts here *insert heart eyes* – Addicted To You by…
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MID YEAR BOOK FREAK OUT TAG // 2022 edition ft. lots of new favourites, backlist books & exciting upcoming releases
Eyyyyy it’s that wonderful (belated) time of the year and here in book world, maybe better than Christmas. I don’t know what I’m saying either, but at least I’m getting this post up (semi) on time. Lmao, imagine this is future Ruby speaking to you because apparently, I’ve deemed this bookish Christmas in July in past tags AND I FORGOT. Ahaha at least I find this funny,,, Anyways, I shall stop babbling and just get into my second favourite post of the year!!! Though please ignore the fact that I’m behind on my reading goal, I am *trying* to catch up but it is a slow process friends. Absolutely love doing this tag, so let’s just get into it. If you’re keen to read last year’s for whatever reason, then here you go: Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag 2021 edition LET’S GO!!!! BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ THIS YEAR SO FAR ✯ Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett There are multiple options for this category, but I’ve managed to squeeze them in elsewhere and I also just love this book a whole lot omgggggg. I don’t even remember what finally pushed me to read this book, but boy am I slapping…
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BOOK LOVERS BY EMILY HENRY // spoiler-free book review: this author never ceases to bring me to tears aka a heart-achingly perfect adult contemporary that blew me away
Emily Henry is paying for my therapy bills and she just has to deal with it because I AM IN PAIN!!!! I mean, of course, I adored this book and it is a shame onto humanity that you had to wait this long for a review from me. I won’t even allow an excuse, yelling in my comments is required. This book was absolutely everything and I am obsessed and in love and I want to cry all at once and ITS A LOT SEND HELP!!!!!! Let’s get into the crying!!!! Title: Book LoversAuthor: Emily HenryPage count: 377Date published: 12 May 2022Genre: Adult contemporary romance ♥ Synopsis: One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn’t see coming… Nora is a cut-throat literary agent at the top of her game. Her whole life is books. Charlie is an editor with a gift for creating bestsellers. And he’s Nora’s work nemesis. Nora has been through enough break-ups to know she’s the woman men date before they find their happy-ever-after. That’s why Nora’s sister has persuaded her to swap her desk in the city for a month’s holiday in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina. It’s a small town straight out of a romance…
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ALEX, APPROXIMATELY BY JENN BENNETT // spoiler-free book review: my new fave ya contemporary ft. all the summery beach vibes & stunning enemies to lovers romance
Eeep I’m finally caught up on old reviews so now I can yell about books I’ve read fairly recently. Are you proud of me? Because I am. This book means a whole lot to me and I’m very mad at myself for taking so long to read it. But it was absolutely everything and I need to shove it down all of your throats. Yup, you have no choice. Let’s get into the squealing <3<3<3 Title: Alex, ApproximatelyAuthor: Jenn BennettPage count: 392Date published: 4 April 2017Genre: Young Adult contemporary romance ☀️ Synopsis: Classic movie buff Bailey “Mink” Rydell has spent months crushing on a witty film geek she only knows online by “Alex.” Two coasts separate the teens until Bailey moves in with her dad, who lives in the same California surfing town as her online crush. Faced with doubts (what if he’s a creep in real life—or worse?), Bailey doesn’t tell Alex she’s moved to his hometown. Or that she’s landed a job at the local tourist-trap museum. Or that she’s being heckled daily by the irritatingly hot museum security guard, Porter Roth—a.k.a. her new arch-nemesis. But life is whole lot messier than the movies, especially when Bailey discovers…
