2023 Reading Progress Update

We've made it to the halfway point of 2023, so I thought I would do a reading progress update. How have I done so far? Am I well on my way to achieving my goals? As a matter of fact, yes! I'm actually kind of killing it.

• Read 27 books- As stated, my goal was to read 27 books this year. So far, I've read 50. So yeah, killing it.
• Listen to more audio books- I have actually listened to quite a few audio books this year. More than any other format actually. This goal has most definitely been met.
• Read more fantasy- I have read a few fantasy novels this year, but I'm going to hold off on checking this one off the list for now.
• Read books I already own- This is a goal I can't in good faith say I have met. I have read a few books I already owned prior to this year, but not many. Still a WIP.

As for the TBR, I've marked two off the list. Two of the others are not out yet. So that only leaves one I could have read but haven't. Not too bad.

1. The Green Mile- Stephen King 
2. Confessions of a Shopaholic
3. The Stolen Heir- Holly Black 
4. A Curse For True Love- Stephanie Garber 
5. The Brother's Hawthorne- Jennifer Lynn Barnes

So yes, the progress has been good so far. Fingers crossed that I can keep it up for the rest of the year. I also decided to make pie charts to show the various formats and genres I've read because why not?

Reading Goals and My TBR for 2023

Welcome to 2023, a year that has thus far not been good to me. But I'm trying to remain hopeful that it will improve. I'm not making a ton of new year's resolutions, but I do have a few goals when it comes to reading. 

If history has proven anything, it is that I am not very good at reading challenges. I have attempted to complete several over the years (you know those challenges that are like 'read a book with plants on the cover' or 'read a book by a German author', etc.) and have never succeeded. And I've realized that this is largely because in order to complete such a challenge, I have to force myself to read books that I am not interested in. And that is not motivating. So I've decided, at least for now, that I will not be participating in any online reading challenges. Instead I am sticking only to my personal reading goals.

I started my 2023 reading journey by deciding to joining Book of the Month Club. I'd heard about this subscription service for a while, but I never really checked it out until recently. I decided why not try it out for a year and see how it goes. My first book is currently on its way.

If you read my post about books I read in 2022, you may know that last year I really only had two goals. But since I didn't meet them, I am shifting some of them over to this year. Plus I have a few new goals as well.

• Read 27 books- This goal I am pulling in from last year. I didn't do terribly in 2022, I did read 21 books. But since I haven't yet reached 27, I'm leaving my goal there for this year.
• Listen to more audio books- Prior to 2023, I have only actually ever listened to 9 1/2 audio books. Which sounds like quite a few until you note that 7 of those were Harry Potter books and 2 1/2 were A Song of Ice and Fire books. This year, I want to listen to more audio books in different genres. I spend almost 7 hours a week in my car driving to and from work and that is time I could be listening to a book instead of 1,000 commercials on the radio.
• Read more fantasy- I recently discovered the world of fantastical books and I would love to read more in this genre. I can't say why I haven't read much fantasy in the past, but I am game to explore it moving forward.
• Read books I already own. I have so many books on my shelves that I have never read. I'm not going to specify a certain number, but I want to read more of these instead of only buying new books.

My TBR's for 2023

1. The Green Mile- Stephen King : Moved over from last year, I want to read this novel I have owned for quite some time. 
2. Confessions of a Shopaholic- Sophie Kinsella : Also moved from last year's list, this chick lit series is one I've been wanting to dip my not-even-close-to-Jimmy Choo's in.
3. The Stolen Heir- Holly Black : This new release is set in the magical world of Elfhame and is a spinoff of The Cruel Prince books. I'm interested to read it and see how it compares to its predecessor. 
4. A Curse For True Love- Stephanie Garber : The final book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series and probably my most anticipated book of 2023.
5. The Brother's Hawthorne- Jennifer Lynn Barnes : A new book in the world of the Inheritance Games will also arrive this year. I'm nervous but excited because I love me some Jameson Hawthorne.

I'm sure more books will interest me in the coming year, but those are my top picks to read in 2023. Wish me luck on my reading journey!

Books I Read in 2022

 I had two reading goals in 2022.

-Read 27 books (27 is my lucky number)

-Read 5 specific books (I now know this is called a TBR or to be read list)

I accomplished neither 100% but, despite that, I actually read more than I did in 2021. Having discovered the worlds of BookTube, BookTok and InstaBook, I have added more books to my Amazon book list than ever before. I also signed back into Goodreads for the first time in forever and logged my 2022 reads. Dare I say, I am on a roll?

I have made reading goals for 2023 (and created a TBR) and I plan to share those in a separate post. But first, I wanted to talk a bit about the books I read last year and what I thought of them. I rated all of the books below on a scale of 1-5. I wanted to note that my ratings are not comparing these books to each other necessarily, but to other books in their same genres or to similar books I've read.

I didn't do terribly on my first goal. I actually read 21 books last year. But of the five I said I would read, I only actually read one. 

On my TBR for 2022 were the following:

1. Confessions of a Shopaholic- Sophie Kinsella
2. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore- Robin Sloan
3. Ready Player One- Ernest Cline
4. The Green Mile- Stephen King
5. The Secret Adversary- Agatha Christie

As previously stated, I only read one of these books. I'll start with that one.

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

My Rating: 3/5

Synopsis: This story follows a man working the night shift at a 24-hour bookstore. While working here, he uncovers mysterious information about his eccentric boss as well as a very old secret society.

Review: I actually started reading this book back in 2015. And, I'm going to be honest, I bought this book because I thought it was about a magic bookstore. It is not. In fact, there is no magic to be found in this book. Not in the supernatural sense anyway. There is some adventuring and secrets to be uncovered but, overall, it wasn't my favorite. It took me 7 years to finish it, if that tells you anything. It wasn't a bad book, perse, and I didn't hate it, but it was a little slow for me and just didn't keep me invested until right at the end. I really had to make myself finish this one.

Verity- Colleen Hoover

My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: This book is about a woman who accepts a job as a ghost writer for a popular author named Verity, who has had a mysterious accident and can no longer write. While going through Vertiy's office to find notes on the books she is writing, the woman finds an unpublished manuscript Verity wrote. As she reads the manuscript, lines between fiction and reality start to blur.

Review: This book was insane. And I loved it. It was bizarre and sometimes I wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't. This book may not be for everyone, and it does come with a lot of trigger warnings, but I was intrigued, disturbed and a little freaked out reading this book. I thought it was great.

It Ends With Us- Colleen Hoover

My Rating: 3/5

Synopsis: It Ends With Us follows a woman in past and present as she deals with domestic abuse, both as a witness and then as a victim herself.

Review: This book was fine. I can appreciate what she was trying to do, which was to give one perspective on domestic abuse (as she witnessed growing up). As you might suspect, the book was not a happy one. I didn't really like the way the past portion was written (though it was unique I will admit) and I couldn't root for the the romance (not the abusive one obviously, but there was another). I realize you are not supposed to be happy reading a book like this, but I just didn't enjoy reading it.  As of now I don't plan to read the sequel and I fear Colleen's other books are more like this one than Verity.

The Inheritance Games, The Hawthorne Legacy, The Final Gambit- Jennifer Lynn Barnes

My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: After losing her mother, teenager Avery Graham is struggling through high school. Until, that is, she receives an invitation to the reading of a billionaire's will. Much to the surprise and dismay of his family, the old man has left everything to Avery. But why? 

Review: I am grouping these books together because that is how I think of them. Growing up, one of my dreams was to be in a mansion with secret passages. (Anyone remember that episode of Saved by the Bell where Lisa was hiding behind the fireplace?) I also love puzzles and riddles and mysteries. Basically, this series was right up my alley. I really enjoyed these books and loved the characters (I was especially partial to Jameson Hawthorne). This is honestly one of my favorite young adult series I've ever read.

Truly Devious, The Vanishing Stair, The Hand on the Wall & The Box in the Woods - Maureen Johnson

My Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis: This series follows Stevie Bell, a new student at the elite Ellingham Academy. Stevie wants to be a detective and is determined to solve the mystery of what happened at the academy years before. But as she investigates this old mystery, a new one arises a little too close to home.

Review: This series was actually recommended to me by someone at work after I mentioned to them I loved the Inheritance Games series. The first three books were part of the initial series and the Box in the Woods was more of a standalone. But, once again, I felt the need to group them all together. I do really like these books (though not quite as much as IG). I enjoyed the mystery elements and the twists along the way. Stevie reminds me a bit of Charlotte Holmes, if you've read that series. Very enjoyable young adult mysteries.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder- Holly Jackson

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Pip has to do a project for school and decides to pick a local murder mystery. As she digs into this cold case, she discovers more than she bargained for.

Review: Along the same lines as the previously mentioned young adult mysteries, I read the first book in the Good Girl's Guide to Murder series. I haven't read the others yet, but this was actually the last book I read in 2022. I did like this series, but I don't love it so far. I probably will read the next book because I'm curious about some details. I liked the way the story was told, but I wasn't crazy about the ending of the book.

The Cruel Price, The Wicked King, The Queen of Nothing, How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories - Holly Black

My Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis: This series follows Jude, a human girl living in the magical world of Elfhame. Jude's goal in life is to prove herself to the supernatural world, but prince Carden's seems to be to make her life miserable.

Review: This was one of the first (If not the first? I can't remember another at this moment.) young adult fantasy series I've read and I really liked it. It was strange at first, getting past the tails and fur and caps soaked with blood, but you get used to it. Jude made a lot of questionable decisions throughout, but that was to be expected. The Wicked King was probably my favorite of the series but I liked them all. Overall I really enjoyed it and do plan to read Holly Black's newest book coming out in 2023.

The Ballad of Never After- Stephanie Garber

My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: The 2nd book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series follows Evangeline and Jacks as they encounter another, more murderous, curse. And try to ignore the feelings that are creeping in.

Review: I love this series so far. There is one more book coming out in 2023 and I can't wait to read it. Jacks is a great anti-hero and I just can't help but love him despite his treacherous ways. If you haven't read the first book, definitely start there. In fact, if you haven't read Stephanie Garber's other series Caraval, give it a read first. It is not strictly necessary, but helpful. Also that series is amazing and one of my favorites.

The Night Circus- Erin Morgenstern

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: The circus comes at night. Two magicians have been training their whole lives for an ultimate showdown. But the problem is, they don't know who their opponent is. They only know where their battle will take place. At the Night Circus.

Review: This was a book I saw recommended by a BookTuber. It sounded like something I would be interested in and it pretty much was. It was a bit of a slow build for my taste, and parts were confusing, but overall I enjoyed the book. It wasn't what I expected but I like how everything came together in the end.

The Ex Hex- Erin Sterling

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: When Vivienne's boyfriend broke her heart, she decided to put a hex on him. A fake hex of course. But nine years later, when Ryhs comes back to town, he finds himself dealing with strange happenings. It's almost like...he's cursed.

Review: Moving into the realm of chicklit, this was a fun, easy, magical read. If you like chicklit and a little witchery, you will enjoy this book.

Escort Girl- Stephanie Bond

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: This serial novel focuses on Ester, the daughter of two formerly rich parents. Ester, desperate for a job, finds employment at a PR firm as an escort. No, not that kind of escort. She picks up clients and accompanies them to meetings and events, making sure they arrive on time and put their best face forward. But what happens when one of her clients is murdered?

Review: I enjoy Stephanie Bond's serial novels. She has been releasing them since 2016. If you are not familiar with a serial, it just means the story is released in parts. In this case, a new chapter is released every day from July 1 - December 31 on her website. Or, you can purchase one month at a time from the Kindle store at the first of each month. This wasn't my favorite of the serials she has done, but I did enjoy it.

The Club- Ellery Lloyd

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Island Home is the latest opening for the Home Company, which specializes in privacy and finery for the most elite celebrities. Told from four perspectives, this book spans the opening weekend of Island Home and some mysterious deaths that take place. No one is who they seem to be.

Review: This book started really slow for me. In fact, it was slow up until the last quarter of the book. It was hard to get into this book and I kept getting two of the characters mixed up almost the entire time. I did like the eventual reveals and there were many plot twists. It just took way too long to get there. I thought the book was well written and I understand why all of the details were put in, it was just very slow for me personally.

The Guest List- Lucy Foley

My Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis: The story, told from 5 perspectives, follows characters over a wedding weekend on a secluded island. Along the way, someone is murdered, and everyone has a secret that could make them the prime suspect.

Review: Being a Reese's book club book might make you think I would rate it higher. But I just can't do it. I did enjoy the mystery, though the present day parts were a bit drawn out, and there were good twists. But what I didn't like were the characters. Honestly, by the end of the book, I wished almost all of them would be murdered. There were only two characters I liked and everyone else sucked big time. I was so annoyed by the time I finished the book, I couldn't even focus on the actual murder. 

So there you have it. All of the books I read in 2022. Overall, I had a decent reading year and didn't totally despise anything I read. Hopefully, I can keep reading more in 2023.

12 Bodies and, yes, a Wedding - Body Movers Finale Thoughts

It has now been a few weeks since I read the final book in the Body Movers series and it's time to share my thoughts. Last we left it, book 11 had me annoyed and despondent. Knowing the upcoming and final book was entitled 12 Bodies and a Wedding, I was not especially looking forward to it. As you may know, if you read my last installment, I was preparing myself for a disappointing and bland ending (ie. Carlotta marrying Coop). So what happened? How did it all end? How is my mental state? Read on to find out!

First off, we will discuss what happened to Wesley and the side characters. Wesley spends the book trying to prove himself to Meg's dad, who does not approve of him. Jack vouches for Wes at his court hearing, which helps him out with the judge. Wes also decides to finally tell his dad he does not want to run the golfing business with him and instead wants to go to college to be a doctor. His dad, surprisingly, says he supports his son. I thought it would be more difficult than that, so good on him I guess. Meg's dad finally gives Wes a break and she goes as his date to the wedding. Throughout, Wes is wary of Jack and his part in the wedding but decides he doesn't hate the man anymore.

Hannah finally tells her parents about Chance and the baby and let's him move in with her. Chance starts working for Wesley's dad, determined to get back on the straight and narrow for his wife and child. The Wrens and Prissy didn't really play a big part in this book besides being around for the wedding planning and festivities. Although Carlotta does decide to approach her half sister to try to form a relationship, she also decides it doesn't matter who her biological father is. Randolph is her dad.

Now for Carlotta and the love triangle (you know, the important part):

We start off a few weeks after the engagement. Carlotta says she and Coop are getting married soon and everyone questions her decision to rush it. She ignores them and sets about planning, albeit slowly. Honestly, I started to have hope pretty early on in this book because Carlotta seemed really disconnected when making all of her wedding plans. She just seemed to agree with the first thing put in front of her when it came to picking out rings and invitations. She even forgot about Jarold Jett offering to make her wedding dress until Jack reminded her. She did blame her distractedness on Patricia's case, something she hadn't been able to let go of, but, to me, it seemed like more than that. 

Strangely, Coop asks Jack to be his best man. And look, I know they are friends, sort of, but why wouldn't he ask Wesley over Jack? As later speculated by Carlotta, maybe it was to one up Jack? Or test Carlotta's loyalty? Either way, I found it perplexing. More so that Jack agreed. Also, if Jack is Coop's closest friend, that is sad.

A few things I have been waiting on finally happened. Carlotta follows Jack home one evening and discovers he lives on a boat named Serena. She wonders about this but doesn't ask. Later, Jack comes to tell her that her bio dad is responsible for Peter's death. He then tells her he also lost someone he loved (just as I theorized!) and that is why he works so much and has never been able to tell Carlotta he loves her. She realizes this is the woman he named his boat after. Carlotta also mentions that when Jarold Jett sent her dress, he sent a note with it wishing her and her detective a happy wedding. Weird, she tells Jack, that he thinks we're the ones getting married. (Is it, though?)

The preverbal icing on the cake is when Carlotta tells her therapist her relationship with Coop is easy. That is how she described it. Easy. Which, on the surface, isn't a bad thing to say. But when that's the only way to describe your relationship with your fiancé... probably not good. The therapist also points out how she hasn't told Coop about her father or her continued obsession with what happened to Patricia. Coop doesn't even find out until Jack rats her out for trying to use him to get DNA results.

As far as the case goes, Carlotta convinces Jack to keep investigating and she eventually discovers the very bizarre truth. Patricia had accidentally swapped makeup cases with someone who had intel on a political figure (a used condom) and someone had killed her to get it back. After another confrontation that almost gets her shot, Jack arrests the perpetrators and rushes Carlotta to her wedding.

Throughout, Carlotta dreams about what her future would be like with Coop (the neighbors love him, the kids are organized and well-behaved, life is simple) and then later with Jack (everything is chaos). But the simple fact that she is dreaming about a future with Jack should tell you something. Also, when she sees a psychic at her bachelorette party, the woman tells her she will marry the best man. I mean... that is not subtle.

At the wedding, Carlotta has a bit of an out of body experience. She even stumbles, thinking about how she'll be with Coop until she dies. She looks to Jack for reassurance but he looks like he might faint (also she actually thinks 'if only' about Jack while walking down the aisle). The ceremony has barely begun when Jack interrupts the minister with a simple "stop". Coop responds by punching him in the face and Carlotta responds by fleeing the church. After a little scuffle, the men break apart and are both surprised to find Carlotta gone. Jack apologizes and tells Coop to go after her.

Carlotta, who fled the scene in her car, realizes she can't marry Coop because, and I quote, "her soul yearned for another man". Although quite obvious by this point, she is in love with Jack and, even if he doesn't love her back, she can't commit to Coop while wondering 'what if' about Jack. She sees the limo behind her and prepares herself to break Coop's heart. But it isn't Coop in the limo. It's Jack.

He comes up to the car, apologizes for making a mess of things, and confesses that he's in love with her. He wonders if it is too late for them. It is not, she says, and they kiss. Then comes the surprising bit. Jack asks her to marry him, right now. She agrees and they run off and get married at the court house. We get a final intimate scene between the two of them before Jack is called into work. Carlotta finally calls Hannah (everyone is worried about her, understandably) and breaks the news about Jack. Hannah is shocked at first, but then concedes she should have seen it coming. The books ends with the two of them headed to pick up a body at the crime scene Jack just left for.

So obviously I was happy with the ending. My ship set sail and got hitched. I think it leaves a lot of possibility for the future if the author decides to revisit these characters. I'd like to see Carlotta and Jack solving crime together. I would also very much like to see Prissy's reaction to their marriage as she always said she was going to marry Jack. 

I was surprised that Coop and Carlotta actually made it to the alter. I really didn't think Carlotta would break Coop's heart that way. I mean, I'm not mad about it, just surprised. I was disappointed by her decision to purchase a house with Coop. As my friend Courtney pointed out, contracts were involved and it probably wouldn't have been easy to get out of it. Coop may have been stuck with a house, assuming it wasn't in both of their names. I wish she had said 'let's think about it' instead. 

I do feel bad for Coop, but even he admitted that he shouldn't have tried to come between Carlotta and Jack. And though Jarlotta (just made that up) were mostly to blame, Coop obviously wasn't completely blindsided. He had to have realized Carlotta wasn't really into planning the wedding. He had to have known something was off. They even decided not to have sex, after that one time, until the wedding, which is sweet in some respects, but also suspicious based on my knowledge of the characters. Maybe Coop will show up in one of Stephanie Bond's serial novels. Or maybe he and Raine will make it work. 

Overall, I did enjoy the book but I wish it was longer. Like the last several, it was pretty short. I read the whole thing in about 3 hours. I wish many of the scenes had been longer and that we would have gotten to see some of the things that happened off page (Jack and Carlotta buying wedding rings at the pawn shop, for example). But I have to give it plus 1,000 points because I've been obsessing about it for 6 years and I got the ending I wanted.

Now, maybe, it is time to move on. 

At least until one of these characters show up in Elevator Girl, coming this July.

It's My Body, I'll Complain if I Want To - Body Mover's Update

 As I am writing this, I have just recently discovered the next and last Body Mover's book comes out next month. It has been quite the emotional journey for me over the past 5+ years. A part of me doesn't want it to end, but another part is ready find out how it will. I am equal parts excited and nervous as we enter this final chapter. But before I talk about my hopes for the ending, I wanted to do a little recap of the past three books.

Last time I made a post about this series, the eighth book had just come out. Three more books have been released since then and I have thoughts. Recap time!

In book 9, which was the least enjoyable book of the entire series IMO, very little actually happened. It was super short, the mystery was almost non-existent, and my ship continued to sink. Hannah had joined a roller derby team and someone was trying to poison them. I don't even remember who...it was so unimportant. The main plot of the book seemed to be Carlotta reconnecting with her parents and her newly discovered sister. Somehow the elder Wrens managed to slip back into their old life, fancy house and all. Coop figured out (somehow) that Carlotta's mom didn't actually have dementia and they were able to give her medicine to make her completely coherent again. Carlotta decided she was going to date, and finally sleep with, Coop. Wesley tried and succeeded in winning Meg back. And Jack only showed up to find a MIA Prissy and remind the audience that he does in fact believe in love. The main highlight of this book was that it was revealed that Liz was legitimately crazy and had never actually been pregnant. Jack is not going to be a dad! Carlotta had a brief moment of feelings about that and, though she decided she was still choosing Coop, it took her a little too long. Coop flew the...well you get it...saying he couldn't play second fiddle to Jack anymore. Carlotta and Wesley also finally opened those Christmas gifts they'd been holding onto for 10+ years and Carlotta discovered Randolph isn't actually her dad.

In book 10, Carlotta sets off for Texas with a co-worker for some sort of expo. They have offered her a job to run a new bridal boutique offset of Neiman Marcus. While there, her co-worker is found dead in her hotel room. Carlotta calls Jack to come out and help her figure out if there was a murder (the girl was supposed to be meeting some guy the night she died), though she's been avoiding him lately because he keeps trying to talk to her and she thinks he is going to profess his love and I guess doesn't know what she is going to do about that. Jack agrees with the Texas officers that it looks like an accident. They share a moment, but Carlotta pushes Jack away when he still won't offer up details about where he lives or how he feels. He tries to come back to her room later to talk to her, but she isn't there, having snuck back into her dead co-workers room to snoop. Back home, he finally fesses up that he's been wanting to tell her...her dad isn't really her dad. She doesn't seem nearly as upset at him for not telling her that as she does that that was what he'd been wanting to talk to her about. Coop decides he's changed his mind and does still want to date Carlotta. Meg goes to Europe on vacation and then goes missing, worrying Wesley. Carlotta also quits her job when they decide to axe the boutique idea. She's tired of working in retail.

In book 11, Wesley spends most of his time trying to figure out how to get to Europe (even though he had an ankle monitor and isn't supposed to leave town, much less the country). He's peeved at Randolph who is trying to get him to become a great poker player. Randolph has opened some sort of golf place, but is secretly running not-so-legitimate poker games out of it. Wes doesn't think his dad believes in him as he scoffed at the idea of Wesley becoming a doctor someday. Meg is finally recovered after Randolph sends his caretaker to look for her. Wesley starts to forgive his dad somewhat. Carlotta is dating Coop, but spends most of the book unsure if she loves him. She also decides, after a little encouragement from Jack, that she is going to become a fashion blogger. Since her dad's old company went down, the police have been looking for Walt Tully (one of the owners) but he has been hiding out from them. Carlotta discovers he is being holed up on a houseboat in Lake Lanier. She is caught snooping and is tossed into the lake. Jack, who she previously called for help, shows up and saves her from drowning. Irritatingly, he still won't answer her questions about himself. At the end of the book Carlotta discovers her real dad is actually Walt Tully, who is now in prison. Can't catch a break in the dad department. Hannah is preggo. Oh, and Peter gets murdered in prison. Carlotta then goes to a bar and gets drunk, mourning Peter and thinking about life, and then (while still completely toasted) tells Coop she loves him and sleeps with him for the first time. Ugh. Then...THEN...like a week later they go for a picnic, Coop proposes, and she says yes of course like she didn't just spend the rest of this book trying to convince herself that she loved him. Minus 10 points.

So here we are, awaiting the final installment that is annoyingly titled 12 Bodies and a Wedding. Hopefully it's 12 Bodies and Not a Wedding.

If you've read my other blogs on this series, you know I am Team Jack. And you know I am annoyed about what has happened with his character. That annoyance has only increased as I've read these last three books. Why won't he just tell Carlotta where he lives? When she showed up at Lake Lanier to look for Walt I thought 'this is it...this is the moment she finds out where Jack lives', but no. 

And then she's gonna marry Coop after 5 minutes because she's suddenly decided she loves him? After her ex dies? After she has to get drunk to tell him she loves him and sleep with  him? After Jack once again doesn't tell her how he feels? Yeah, this is totally legit. You should definitely marry someone you weren't even sure you wanted as your boyfriend last week. I don't know if we are supposed to believe in their love, but I don't. Not at all. 

The author did post a bonus scene on the fan Facebook page from Jack's POV. He was visited at work by Marigold (Coma Girl) after hearing the news about Carlotta's engagement. Marigold encouraged him to tell Carlotta how he feels because her husband was once engaged to the wrong person too. He says he isn't sure but agrees to think about it.

Now listen, I have obviously been waiting for 10 books now for Jack to confess his feelings. If he doesn't in this final book, I am going to be unbelievably peeved. And I expect there to be a good reason for his silence too. I posted my theory in one of the other blogs and I hope I am close to right. I hope the author doesn't just try to write him off as a commitment-phobe who shies away from love for no good reason at all. I have waited this long and expect a great confession scene. And he better not freaking die.

So what are my hopes for this final book?

First, as previously stated, I hope Carlotta and Coop do not get married. I hope Jack finally confesses his feelings and that Carlotta realizes she is still in love with him and they end up together. 

Carlotta will decide that even though Randolph isn't her biological father that he is still her dad and screw that other guy. 

Carlotta will also continue to thrive at her newfound job and will become an official contracted helper of the APD.

Wesley will finally get out from under his dad and go to college.

Hannah stops being so judgy, Chance goes to jail and her a Coop fall in love and raise her child together. (Yes, I realize this one is a bit far fetched and probably definitely won't happen but these are my wishes okay?)

Prissy just keeps being herself because she's the best.

Until next time, when I will write up my thoughts on the end of this series that has consumed my thoughts for 5+ years. Keep a good thought and several fingers crossed for me.

No Body to Blame But Me- A Blog About My Most Recent Obsession: Body Movers

Do you ever find yourself getting overly attached to fictional characters? Yes, well this happens to me quite frequently. If you've listened to Two Peaches in a Podcast (on iTunes...b/c shameless self promotion...) then you may have heard me talking about my most recent fictional obsession: the Body Movers series by Stephanie Bond. 

It all began on a cold and rainy day (I do not remember the weather conditions) when I was perusing the book section at Goodwill. They say to never judge a book by its cover but that is exactly what I do. I pick up books that look interesting to me and then decide, based on a few short paragraphs on the back (or inside if that's how they wanna play it), if I think it's something I will be interested in. When I saw the bright yellow book sitting on the shelf, I just had to pick it up. Plus, with a name like Body Movers, I figured it had to be something good. Here is what I read:

Carlotta Wren's life hasn't turned out as she'd planned. She didn't plan for her parents to skip bail for a white-collar crime, leaving her to raise her brother. She didn't plan on having the silver spoon ripped from her mouth and forgoing college to work retail. She didn't plan on her blue-blood fiancé dumping her. And she didn't plan on still being single ten years later, working at Neiman Marcus, with no idea where her fugitive parents are.

She's coping. Until…

…her lovable brother is arrested, and the hunky cop decides to reopen her parents' case.

…her brother becomes a body mover for the morgue and his sexy boss gets Carlotta involved.

…her former fiancé's wife is murdered, fingering Carlotta.


With three men in her life, Carlotta has added motivation to help bag a murderer to keep her own well-dressed body from being next on the list!

I used to read Nancy Drew a lot as a kid and I've always had a soft spot for a good mystery. So I purchased this book, clueless as to what awaited me. 

A few months later, after finishing my most recent Sophie Kinsella book (love those!), I began browsing my bookshelves for something else to read. I came upon Body Movers and decided yes, I am in the mood for a sexy mystery!

I was about halfway through the book when I begun to realize that there were a lot of unanswered questions and I couldn't help but wonder how they were all going to be answered. Becoming suspicious, I Googled Body Movers and much to my surprise, I discovered I was reading book one of an ongoing series. I was not ready for this kind of commitment. But it was too late! At the end of book one, I headed to the Kindle store to purchase book 2. It spiraled from there.

So here I am, finished with book 7 and waiting for the next installment. The trouble is, there is no set release date and these books have been coming out sporadically over the past 10 years. What is a girl to do?!

My obsession with the characters and their stories had just begun to subside, sure to be replaced by my next great read (or the return of any of my TV ships) when Stephanie Bond found a sneaky way to drag me back in. I've never read a serial novel before, but in case you were wondering, it is just as frustrating as TV shows and the podcast Serial. I discovered in mid-July that Ms. Bond had begun releasing a daily serial called Coma Girl. Beginning July 1st, she has released a new chapter each day and will continue to do so through December 31st. If you're impatient like me, you can purchase a whole month's worth of chapters on the 1st of each month.

Coma Girl is the story of...you guessed it...a girl in a coma. She can't move or speak or even open her eyes, but she can hear everything that goes on around her. It's a little bit mystery, little bit sad family tale but now I'm hooked. But what makes matters worse (or better, depending on how you look at it) is one of my favorite Body Movers characters makes an appearance. Just when I thought I was moving on...

And since I am now re-obsessed, and will be until at least the new year, I figured I would lay out all of my thoughts and theories.

If you have not read the Body Movers or Coma Girl series, turn back now! Spoilers ahead! Additionally, this review is very biased towards certain characters so expect nothing less.

Let's first get our main characters straight:

Carlotta Wren- Fashionista. Magnet for trouble. 

Wesley Wren- Gambling addict. Needs to grow up.

Detective Jack Terry- Tactless but caring. Commitment-phobe. 

Dr. Cooper Craft- Recovering alcoholic. Nice guy.

Peter Ashford- Richie Rich. Kinda pathetic.

Hannah Kizer- Best friend. Goth.

Liz Fischer- Harlot. 

For info on other characters (or less biased descriptions of those listed above) go here: Body Movers Characters

Months have passed since I finished the last Body Movers book so a lot of the specifics have faded from my brain, leaving only those moments I loved and hated the most. But that's normally how it goes right? Here's my rundown of what's happened:

Carlotta and Wesley's parents left after her dad was accused of some sort of crime. Embezzlement maybe? Doesn't matter. Wesley was only 9 at the time so Carlotta, only 18ish, had to raise him on her own. Their family had lost all of its money so she wasn't able to go to college. Also, her first love, Peter, broke up with her.

It's 10 years later and Carlotta is struggling to make ends meat. Wesley isn't making things any easier, walking around with a chip on his shoulder and wracking up gambling debts. The books really begin with Wesley getting arrested for breaking into courthouse records. He's become obsessed with finding out about his parents and proving his dad's innocence. 

In book one, Peter is arrested for murdering his wife, who is also one of Carlotta's customers at Neimen Marcus. She and Peter reconnect and he admits he never stopped loving her and his parents made him dump her (with threat of taking away his trust fund probably). Carlotta meets Detective Jack Terry, her brother's arresting officer, and dislikes him, and his ugly tie, immediately. He's a bit tactless and makes a lot of innuendos, but does seem to genuinely care about the Wrens.Wesley meanwhile gets a job as a body mover for the morgue, helping Doctor Cooper Craft. Coop crushes on Carlotta immediately but she's pretty stuck up Peter's butt so doesn't really seem to notice.Turns out Peter did not kill his wife (damn it). Also, Carlotta's dad calls her at the end of the book. She hasn't heard anything from him, besides the occasional postcard, in 10 years.

In book two, Carlotta's identity is stolen by a woman who later commits suicide. After this makes headlines (and all three men spend a few hours thinking Carlotta is dead), the DA decides to use this to lure Randolph Wren out of hiding. Just in case the senior Mr. Wren decides to show, Jack Terry posts up at Carlotta's house for a few days whilst she's pretending to be dead. It doesn't take long for things to heat up. Wesley gets involved with Liz, his father's ex-mistress and lawyer, and into further trouble with loan sharks. I think this is about when Wesley meets Meg, a girl his own age (Liz is like 40) who works with him at his probationary job. Carlotta's dad does come to her fake funeral but in disguise so they don't catch him. Turns out her co-worker Michael was the killer and he gets arrested. Oh, and Peter proposes. 

In book three, Carlotta ventures off to Florida with Coop on a body recovery mission. Wesley secretly tags along and proceeds to steal the body they are after to help pay off some of his debts. (Yeah, it's weird.) Coop finally makes his move but they are interrupted by Wesley. What Carlotta doesn't tell Coop is that the real reason she came to Florida was to find her dad. Jack had told her he'd been spotted but wouldn't let her go with him (he took Liz, ugh) to find Randolph. Carlotta does see her dad who claims to be innocent before getting away.

In book four, a serial killer is on the loose. They call him the Charmed Killer because he leave charms in and around all of his victims. Carlotta is torn between all three men (what else is new) but ends up in bed with Jack again after nearly being blown up. Jack has a new partner, Detective Maria Marquez, who is lovely and exotic of course. Wesley is now doing oxy and acting a fool as per usual. Coop is acting strange. Peter finally convinces Carlotta to move in with him temporarily until they catch Michael, who has escaped the psych ward. 

In book five, the Charmed Killer is still on the loose. Carlotta is living with Peter but try as they might, they just can't seem to have sex. Jack calls every night almost to chat (sometimes about the case, sometimes not). Coop is acting even stranger, getting drunk and making out with women in public. Wesley really likes Meg but is still sleeping with Liz and doing drugs and cleaning up after a loan shark. Towards the end of the book, Coop is arrested after the woman he was making out with turns up dead. HE IS THE CHARMED KILLER! So say the police.

In book six, Carlotta is determined to prove that Coop is not, in fact, the Charmed Killer. Which she does eventually manage to do. Turns out it was the current medical examiner who framed Coop because he was a hater or something. But they did not discover this until after Coop was released on house arrest and Maria is killed. Jack is peeved at Carlotta, since she was the one to get Coop out of jail (until they discover Coop was not the killer). But Carlotta also figures out that it was Maria's husband who killed her, not the charmed killer. And Coop was acting weird because of a woman he'd almost killed one time. Wesley finally gets clean, thanks to the loan shark's flunkies but finds out Liz is preggo and consequently loses Meg. Also, Carlotta's dad came to her rescue when the CK tried to K her. Sadness for him though because Jack arrived before he could leave and arrested him. 

In book seven, Carlotta is bummed her dad is an jail and has decided she should take a break from all three men after everything that's happened lately. She gets assigned to run a Perfect Man booth at a wedding expo for work. Jack, who has been put on brief suspension for getting too close to the case, gets a gig doing security at the same event (convenient). Someone is murdered of course and Carlotta sets out on the case. Jack begins acting down and out and try as they might, they can't stay away from each other. After an incredible night together ("Something had shifted.") Carlotta realizes that she is in love with Jack (yay!) and he comes close to admitting he loves her too. She decides to break things off with Peter once and for all. Carlotta also visits her dad in prison and he still claims he's innocent but won't reveal where her mom is. Coop has a new kind-of girlfriend, Wesley discovers he is not the father of Liz's baby and Carlotta helps crack the case! But then, just as you think things will be okay, we find out Jack is in fact the father. Cue my tears.

There I was, finished with what exists of the series and saddened at this uncalled for turn of events. But I pushed through and read more Stephanie Bond books (rewarding her for bad behavior!). So when I discovered Coma Girl, I added it to my list. Imagine my surprise and delight when Detective Terry arrived at that hospital. We discover more facts about him that give me some hope for the future. 

This next bit will be confusing if you haven't read any of these books. Just FYI.

Here's my theory about Jack Terry (thanks in large part to Coma Girl): I think Jack was in love once with a girl name Serena but something bad happened to her. She died most likely. And since, he's distanced himself from women emotionally. It's been all about no strings attached, casual sex. And it's worked out fine until now. I think Carlotta is the first woman Jack has really cared about in a long time and fear kept him from admitting it. He didn't take her to the dinner because he didn't want to get close to her. Same with Florida. But he still can't seem to stay away and hates the thought of her being with anyone else.

He didn't tell her where he lived because he knew she was more than a hookup. He kept saying he couldn't throw his hat in the ring because I think on some level he doesn't feel good enough for her. He knows he's somewhat emotionally unavailable and damaged and can't be her Prince Charming. As Carlotta put it, he's sexily imperfect. But does that mean he's not perfect for her? I think he is.

The baby thing obviously puts a damper on a blossoming relationship and ticks me off to no end! WHY, STEPHANIE, WHY?! But perhaps it's only a roadblock. A literary plot device to keep Carlotta from her happily ever after until the last book. BUT...

Keep in mind that in book 7, Liz tells Wesley that the baby can't be his because she is too far along. SO...she would have to have been preggo before book 2, which means she didn't get knocked up after Carlotta and Jack slept together. Given, that doesn't mean Jack didn't sleep with Liz after Carlotta BUT IT COULD MEAN THAT! He kept saying he and Liz were just friends so maybe they really didn't hook up after he was with Carlotta. I know he's still having a baby with someone else (who has now slept with like every guy Carlotta knows) but at least he didn't conceive the child after being with her. Which is a little better anyway. Listen, #TeamJack I don't care what you say.

My worry is that Coop is going to swoop in at the end and get the girl. It's happened before (Southern Vampire Mysteries anyone?). And she does seem jealous of him with other women. Plus they've had a few missed moments. But really, I think it would be better for them to stay friends and that's all. I know it makes me sound like a shipper whose boat sprung a leak, but I would actually like to see Coop with Hannah. She's liked him from day one and I feel like they would have the whole opposites attract thing going on. Plus, Carlotta is kind of a jerk for blowing off Hannah's feelings for Coop. I get you can't make people like you, or stop people from liking you, but damn. If I'd had the opportunity to date the guy my best friend liked, I wouldn't on principal alone. Maybe that's just me.

I'm not too worried about Peter because he is literally an annoying pest. In every book, I just wish Carlotta would permanently dump him and he would trot off to New York and never look back. He's a bit pathetic, as I think I mentioned before, and I'm like dude, just let it go. You effed up. Deal with it.

Until the end of book 7, Jack was the obvious front runner. Despite the push-pull of their relationship, he's the one who most often had the biggest effect on Carlotta. And now, especially after Coma Girl, we know he's not just playing her. We know he loves her. And we know he doesn't want to lose her.

I hope that we will continue to discover more about Jack Terry in upcoming Coma Girls and Body Movers 8, which I'm praying comes out sooner rather than later so I don't lose my fangirl mind. I think there's a lot more to learn and I just want Carlotta to know everything! Also I want to know everything. I should write Stephanie and suggest a book from Jack's point of view.

As far as other characters...

Liz is the worst, no doubt, but I would actually kind of like to see a scene with her and Carlotta where they just talk everything out. I want them to come to an understanding. And I want Liz to encourage Carlotta to choose Jack because they obviously love each other. Then Liz can find herself an age appropriate husband and little Terry can have two step parents who love him or her and all will be right with the world. Just sayin.

I'm really tired of Wesley's crap at this point. I know he's only 19 but he acts like a six year old half of the time. His sister did so much for him and he keeps screwing her over and getting her caught up in his mess. He may be book smart but as far as making adult decisions goes, he is a certified dumbass. Maybe Meg can straighten him up but sheesh. I could do with less Wesley in general.

Hannah should just keep being Hannah, except she really needs to get on the Jack bandwagon. I know she's looking out for her friend but like...pot meet kettle. At least Jack doesn't sleep with married women. 

A part of me wishes I had never found this series (this is the impatient and irritable part) but another is glad I picked it up off of the Goodwill shelves and made it part of my life. 

So there you go...my thoughts on Body Movers. I'm not sure most of that made sense but I feel better now that I've gotten it off my chest. 

If, for some reason, you read this blog without reading the books and are now intrigued, I would recommend them. Now, do not go into this thinking it will be the best thing you ever read or that it won't be a little bit cheesy and a lot of bit unrealistic. It is what it is. But I like it and look forward to more.

Kindle Worlds

So guys...I am super excited about something I just discovered today! And maybe you're thinking, how could you not know about this already? But somehow I missed it.

There is a way to make money writing fanfiction!!

Okay, so I know books like this exist. I used to own several BTVS books. But this requires no publisher/editor/agent etc.

In case you are like me and haven't heard of this wonderful feature provided by Amazon, it is called Kindle Worlds. Basically, authors give permission for others to use their characters and write their own stories. There are rules of course. The story must fit into the existing world of the original works...ie. no AU and no changing the original story to suit you. You also can't write into the future of a series that is still in progress.

This opens up a lot of opportunity for fans to write and self-publish their fanfiction. As long as guidelines are followed, stories will be made available on Amazon in eBook format for purchase.

I may be late to the party on this one (let's face it, I am late to the party on a lot of things) but it's exciting nonetheless.

Check out more details here: https://kindleworlds.amazon.com/  

A New Book is Out, Must be Tuesday

Have you ever wondered why most new books come out on Tuesday? 

Well, I have. But never before did I use my favorite trusty search engine to find out. Until today.

I glimpsed on Twitter where Felecia Day's new memoir is coming out today...Tuesday. And for once I actually wondered 'why Tuesday' enough to look it up.

According to one source, book sales (like TV ratings) are measured by Nielson. And Nielson measures weekly sales from Tuesday to Monday (for some unknown reason). 

Another source stated it was so that retailers didn't have to unpack new items on the release date (Monday) and that Tuesday was the next closet day or something.

Other blogs and articles say there is no reason. Or simply that no one knows. 

Regardless of the reason, I plan to go out and purchase a new book today. And memoir just happens to be on my 52 week reading challenge. Speaking of...

I have made fairly good progress with my reading list. I'm over halfway there (having read 29 of 52 books). The problem now is that I'm running out of categories that fit the books I most like to read. Chick-lit! 

Here's a list of the books I've read so far and my rating out of 5 stars!

Getting Rid of Bradly	Jennifer Crusie	3
A Rural Affair	Catherine Alliott	3
The DUFF	Kody Keplinger	4
Don't Turn Around Trilogy	Michelle Gagnon	3
Fangirl	Rainbow Rowell	5
Everlast	Chad Michael Murray	3
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus	Mo Williems	5
When in Doubt, Add Butter	Beth Harbison	4
Hidden	Catherine McKenzie	3
Choose Us	Caylie Marcoe	4
Switched	Cassie Mae	4
The Gift	Deb Stover	4
Her Mistletoe Protector	Laura Scott	3
Love Thy Neighbor	Belle Aurora	3.5
Parting Chances	Caylie Marcoe	4
The First	Lisa M. Green	3
Shiver	Karen Robards	5
King Sized Beds and Happy Trails	Becca Anne	3.5
The Heir	Keira Cass	5
Beach Blanket Bad Boys	Linda Miller	4
What Alice Forgot	Liane Moriarty	4.5
Can You Keep a Secret	Sophie Kinsella	4
Day Shift	Charlaine Harris	4
Unexpectedly You	Cassie Mae	4
His Best Friend	Melanie Marks	2
A Dark Lure	Loreth Ann White	4.5
It's In His Heart	Shelly Alexander	4.5

Bear in mind that my rating is largely based on whether I personally liked the book, not simply if it was well written. For my reviews on these books, you can check out my Goodreads page. https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/18323405-mallory

Only 23 more to go! According to Goodreads I am two books behind schedule. Oh well! The rest of the list may be a bigger challenge, but I'm up for it.

Anyone know a good book that came out in 1987?

2015 Reading List

Okay, boys and girls. It's 2015 and that means time for resolutions and challenges. I already have my 27 at 27, but what's another list to complete?

My friends shared this reading challenge from PopSugar with me so I thought I would share it with anyone who may stumble upon this blog. 

The goal is to read as many as I can because, let's face it, reading a book a week might be a bit of a stretch for me. But who knows? I'll try to update my progress each month. Try. 

Try.