My Bookish Life

  One of my most anticipated releases this year! (But then all of Jodie's books are.) Sadly it took me quite some time due to continuing hospital visits and sickness to finish this so big shout out to the team of Valentine PR for their patience.  "Mate, don't ever do that to me again. I swear to fucking God, I'll kill you myself. You won't need vodka."  Now let's look into the synopsis before we dive into my own spoiler-free review. The Manor—the heartbeat of hedonism and pleasure, the place where Jesse Ward lost himself for years in women and alcohol, escaping his past—was his life. His everything. Until the day Ava O’Shea walked through the doors and Jesse discovered something else to live for. Her. Their love affair was passionate, intense, and all-consuming. She became his heaven. His escape. And eventually, his downfall. When Ava walked away from him, he was destroyed, even more broken than before. But she’s come back, and Jesse vows never to lose her

  I finally had time to start this wonderful series by Ana Huang and I've been devouring the first two books in a few days (about to start book 3 in the series).  I heard a lot about it on Booktok and Bookstagram because it's all over social media and first I was wondering what's so special about this, that everybody loves it. Then last winter I brought book one - Twisted Love - soon joined by the rest of the series when I was waiting at Heathrow Airport in January. To my shame I haven't had the time or wanted to read since March but now I finally picked it up - after a good friend of mine read the series in less than a week.  I have to admit the whole hype about it, the vids, quotes etc are all worth it! I couldn't put it down!  “She felt like heaven to my hell, the closest I’d ever get to salvation, and yet I still wanted to drag her into the depths of Hades with me.” The story starts with a young woman Ava Chen - stranded at a bus stop in a storm. She calls her

  When I first signed up for this ARC I had not really an idea what this was about except that I needed to read it because first "Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Phantom of the Opera" combined in one! Sign me tf up!  To my shame, I'm not fully finished with the book yet (life got in the way like usual so I apologize and try to finish it asap and finish this review as well) but so far I'm truly enjoying it!  Here's the official synopsis first: One night was all it took. I should have stayed away. I should have thrown away her scarf, banished Esmeralda from my mind, body, and soul, and never thought or spoke of her again. That would have been the best thing, the right thing.  But our Lord works in mysterious ways, and before I know it, the walls of Notre Dame become her prison as much as they are my sanctuary.  And with temptation front and center, neither of us have the strength to resist. Our days become longing glances and coded whispers, our nights stole

  I'm finally starting to write this review (altho I'm not fully through yet bc life) so I won't forget stuff while listening to the audiobook.  To be honest I'm still massively excited that Jesses POV is finally out in the world! I have to admit that I love Jodies Original Man a lot! But to my shame I have to admit, that I only fell really hard for him in With This Woman (book 4 and his POV) *hides behind sofa*  Yes I know! I know y'all loved him way before that probably. And i did too, don't get me wrong, but is POV just made me fall hard and without going back.  I started this audiobook when it came out but since I'm always so busy and like to concentrate on my books I listen to, it often takes me a while to get there and finish it. So now... Life is kinda busy atm with being sick and planning a holiday we just came back from. We were in London during the Coronation and it was rather busy but also a lot of fun! But back now to the book... “Just tell me on

 Today's the day!  14th Feburary 2023 and book 4 of Jodie's Unlawful Men Series is out called The Rising ! Happy Release Day!  "Next to killing, Beau, worrying about us is what our husbands do best." As usual here's the summary.... You can't rise from the ashes if you've never been burned. When notorious mafia boss Danny Black and lethal assassin James Kelly join forces to hunt down a mutual, elusive nemesis that threatens to destroy them both and take control of their city, they know they will be entering a deadly game. A game they must win if they are ever going to live in peace with the women they love away from crime, corruption, and death. But peace is an illusion, love is a daily torment, and death will always follow them. As power starts to slip from their grasp, enemies re-emerge, and old, personal demons return to haunt them both, they finally accept they can never leave their world if they want to stay alive. So they need to protect it at all cos