That’s A Wrap! Reading, Reviews, and What’s Ahead | May-June

Half way through 2017 and I’ve hit a blogging slump.

---

So, May wasn’t as successful in terms of blogging as I had hoped it would be. Things were going great and then two weeks before the end of the month I hit a terrible blogging slump that took every ounce of motivation I had to do anything except read. This was great news for my reading (and Goodreads goal) as I read thirteen books but it was bad news for my poor blog. I’ve been very absent on the blogosphere so May leaves me way behind on reviews and scrambling to catch up on everyone’s posts. All of that aside, I’m still calling the month of May a success overall because I read some fantastic books. Somehow I went from my slow reader self to reading faster than I could write reviews. Also, can you believe we’re officially half way through 2017!? I know everyone is saying it but I swear just yesterday it was New Years. Time is flying this year!

-Read + Reviewed-

  

A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOTAR #3) by Sarah J Maas [REVIEW]

(5/5)

180 Seconds by Jessica Park [REVIEW]

(5/5)

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli [MINI REVIEW]

(4/5)

   

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett [MINI REVIEW TO COME…]

(4/5)

This book was beyond cute, the perfect summer read, and had one of my favorite romance tropes (hate to love). The only downsides were that I wasn’t completely satisfied with the ending (that’s probably just me because I’m beyond picky with endings) and the blurb gives away a bit too much. So, yeah, avoid the blurb if you want to read this one because you’ll enjoy it way more if you do.

A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard [MINI REVIEW TO COME…]

(4/5)

This book was one that I’ve been beyond excited to read since it was released. It lived up to almost all of my expectations. Cute, important, and some of the best anxiety rep I’ve ever read. Plus, it was incredibly positive on both therapy and medication. I loved it! The only reason it wasn’t a 5 star read was because the ending felt a little abrupt. Again, this is probably a me problem as I’m rarely completely satisfied with contemporary endings.

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli [MINI REVIEW TO COME…]

(4/5)

Of course I had to read this one after having loved Simon vs. Let me tell you, I need more books by Becky Albertalli in my life now! Once again the diversity and family dynamics were incredible. I adored the characters and loved seeing the cameos from some of the characters from Simon vs. Although, I will say that I didn’t love it as much as her first book. I thought the friendships weren’t as strong which was a little disappointing. But the romances were just as cute and I expected nothing less.

Bellamy and The Brute by Alicia Michaels [MINI REVIEW TO COME…]

(4/5)

Guys, if you love Beauty and the Beast retellings you need to read this one now! This book was a complete surprise. I went in expecting just a retelling and what I got was a retelling mixed with a murder mystery and ghosts. Not to mention it’s the most diverse Beauty and the Beast retelling I’ve ever read. From POC characters to characters with disabilities to characters living with illnesses. I’ve literally not stopped thinking about this book since I read it. Only downside was the ending wasn’t as strong as it could have been.

-Read But Didn’t Review/Reread-

  

Left Drowning by Jessica Park – Reread

(4/5)

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin – Reread

(4/5)

Lady Midnight (TDA #1) by Cassandra Clare – Reread

(5/5)

  

Lord of Shadows (TDA #2) by Cassandra Clare [INITAL THOUGHTS]

(4.5/5)

So, I most likely won’t be reviewing this one for a long time. I devoured this book in three days! 700 pages… In three days… It’s safe to say I loved it and that it completely lived up to my expectations. It also may have completely smashed my heart and, well, I’m still recovering. I have so many feelings that it would be impossible for me to write a coherent review. All I know is that the wait for the last book is going to be torture!

No Holding Back by Kate Evangelista

(4/5)

This one was an extremely cute read and probably another that is perfect if you’re looking for a summery contemporary read – it has the best friends to lovers trope and traveling. But it was missing a little something that I can’t put my finger on. It didn’t wow me and while I enjoyed it I wasn’t left with enough thoughts to write a review.

Kane by L.A. Casey

(4/5)

I feel like I have an obligatory NA read every month now and for May it was Kane. I’ve actually reread this book twice since I first read it so, yeah, I enjoyed it. Although, it’s definitely not the book for those that aren’t into NA and is possibly full of a lot of cliches. Either way, it was a cute read and had the hate to love romance trope that I adore.

-Other Posts On The Blog-

• The Five Stages of Anticipating a Books Release
• Standalone Sunday | Ugly Love
• Waiting on Wednesday #19 | Tarnished City
• Standalone Sunday | Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

-Favorite Read-

I’m stuck between A Court of Wings and Ruin and Lord of Shadows. I can’t choose! I loved both of them so much for very different reasons but they both also had me drowning in feels. I’m honestly surprised neither of them sent me into a reading slump.

-Haul-

  

  

• A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOTAR #3) by Sarah J. Maas
• Lord of Shadows (TDA #2) by Cassandra Clare
• A Court of Thorns and Roses Coloring Book
• 180 Seconds by Jessica Park
• The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
• Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

---

In April’s wrap-up whenever I said that I had finally gotten back into posting on my blog regularly I may have jinxed myself because last month was a very slumpy month blogging wise. But it’s time to move past that because I’m back. I have a lot of catching up to do blog hopping wise so I might be inconsistent with posting for a bit. However, I have a discussion planned for this month that I’m really excited for and several mini-reviews that may or may not end up being my Standalone Sunday posts for a while. Beyond that, I’m being spontaneous because I honestly have no plan beyond getting out of this funk.

I also don’t have a TBR. I’m just running with my mood reading at the moment and reading whatever. I actually started Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas a few days ago and am just over half way through it so I might end up binging the whole series. Who knows?

I hope everyone had an incredible May full of great reads and that you all have an even better June! 😁💕

---

What books did you read in May? What was your favorite? Did you have a good blogging month or just a good month in general? What do you plan on reading in June?

 

instagram||goodreads||twitter||facebook||bloglovin’