January 2022 Reads

I got a ton of reading done in January. This is the most I’ve read in a long time and I couldn’t be happier. I hope next month is just as good!

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Published in 1943, The Little Prince is a fantasy about a pilot, stranded in the Sahara, who meets a small boy from another planet. The boy, who refers to himself as a prince, is on a quest for knowledge. The little prince asks questions of the pilot and tells the pilot of life on his own very small planet.

This book crushed me. I cried so much, even though it is a children’s story. I did really enjoy the story and the images were absolutely beautiful.

Reckless For You by Bethany Monaco Smith

Former boxer Andre Barnes was content with his single life as a workaholic who only had one night stands with no strings… until feisty Deanna Drivas moved into the empty yoga studio next to his gym. Now Andre can’t think of anything else besides the beautiful, sassy spitfire just a wall away from him. Quickly, their lives intertwine and boundaries begin to blur. When faced with uncertainties and personal tragedy, Andre and Deanna have to decide if they’re willing to be reckless and fight for love.

I loved this book. I was very interested in these characters when I read Faking It For The Holidays so I was very happy to get to read an ARC of this.

The Replacement by K.M. Rives

She was never meant to be a member of the Culling. He was never supposed to find his mate. Fate stepped in to ensure both. There was only one reason the bond would choose Emery Montgomery. Her twin was dead. As soon as the silver band of the Culling appeared on her wrist, binding her to the vampire prince himself, her world turned upside down. Forced to compete for the heart of her enemy in an archaic version of The Bachelor, Emery had only three things on her mind: Keep her witch heritage a secret, find her sister’s murderer, and above all, don’t fall for the sinfully handsome prince. August Nicholson wanted nothing to do with the pompously groomed women in his Culling, that was, until Emery showed up. She was unlike any other, calmed the dark twisted side of him few knew existed. Instantly drawn to her, August must struggle against her intoxicating presence, because while he may want her for himself, he needs her to play her part to protect his family more. Together, Emery and August must fight their feelings and find the culprit behind her twin’s murder, because if the Montgomery women were being hunted, Emery was next.

This book was incredible. I loved the story and the characters so much and can’t wait to read the next in the series.

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There’s no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again. Crenshaw is a cat. He’s large, he’s outspoken, and he’s imaginary. He has come back into Jackson’s life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

This book was so good. It was very realistic and heartwarming. A cute middle grade.

All Of Me by Shannon O’ Connor

A collection of romantic & self love poems. How hard it is to love yourself and how easy it can be to love others. Whether you are in love, have loved, love yourself, or need a reminder this collection of poetry has something for you.

I loved this poetry collection, especially since it was about self love.

What If It’s You by Shauna McDonnell

My name is Ava McCann… I’m a quirky, socially awkward hairdresser, who is undeniably single. I enjoy long walks to the fridge, anything from the ’90s, and nightly Netflix marathons. Oh, and I’m completely and utterly, not in love with my best friend, Danny. I figure it’s past time I get over my teeny tiny – okay, huge – crush, and join the world of online dating. But one lousy date after another has me ready to give up on the game of love. Could my hot-as-hell, MMA fighting best friend be the reason Mr Right seems so far out of reach?

This was so cute and funny! I love the friends to lovers trope and this was a great book for it. The characters are very lovable, plus it has hilarious chapter titles.

Tricks by Elllen Hopkins

Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives as best they can, but all searching … for freedom, safety, community, family, love. What they don’t expect, though, is all that can happen when those powerful little words “I love you” are said for all the wrong reasons. Five moving stories remain separate at first, then interweave to tell a larger, powerful story—a story about making choices, taking leaps of faith, falling down, and growing up. A story about kids figuring out what sex and love are all about, at all costs, while asking themselves, “Can I ever feel okay about myself?”

I really didn’t like this book and wish I would have just gotten rid of it instead of finishing it. I like that it talks about difficult topics, but it was almost too visual and I was bored for a good chunk of it.

The Trouble With Chickens by Doreen Cronin and Kevin Cornell (illustrator)

J.J. Tully is a former search-and-rescue dog who is trying to enjoy his retirement after years of performing daring missions saving lives. So he’s not terribly impressed when two chicks named Dirt and Sugar (who look like popcorn on legs) and their chicken mom show up demanding his help to track down their missing siblings. Driven by the promise of a cheeseburger, J.J. begins to track down clues. Is Vince the Funnel hiding something? Are there dark forces at work – or is J.J. not smelling the evidence that’s right in front of him? 

This was such a cute mystery story for kids. I loved getting to read from the perspective of a search and rescue dog.

God Bless This Mess by Hannah Brown

Suddenly in the spotlight, twenty-four-year-old Hannah Brown realized that she wasn’t sure what she wanted. After years of competing in beauty pageants, and then starring on The Bachelorette and Dancing with the Stars, she had become incredibly visible. There she was, in her early twenties, with millions around the world examining and weighing in on her every decision. She found herself wondering what it would mean to live on her terms. What it would mean to stop seeking approval from others and decide–for the first time–what it was she wanted from her own life. An honest and earnest examination of her own mid-twenties, God Bless This Mess is a memoir that doesn’t claim to have all the answers. Hannah knows she doesn’t have all the answers. What she does have is the insight of someone who has spent critical years of her youth under public scrutiny. Thus what emerges is a quarter-life memoir that speaks to the set of difficulties young women face, and how to move through them with grace. By pushing against her engrained need to seek approval, and learning how to think critically about her own goals and desires, Hannah inspires others to do the same – and to embrace the messiness that comes hand-in-hand with self-discovery (even it that sometimes means falling flat on your face). Using her time on The Bachelorette as a launching pad, Hannah doesn’t shy away from the most painful experiences of her life: moments when her faith was tested, when she feared it was lost, and the moments when she reclaimed it on national television. “And Jesus still loves me.” Fans will be inspired by the never-before-told stories: the ones about facing depression and anxiety during her pageant years, the ways in which therapy and journaling have proven to be a saving grace, and the previously private moments – both at home and on television – that have shaped the star’s outlook. Honest and emotionally urgent, God Bless This Mess is a reminder that true growth doesn’t come without strife–and it’s through those dark, messy moments that self-acceptance and love can bloom. 

I really enjoyed this. I liked seeing her talk about her struggles with her faith and just talk about her love of God. I also liked reading more about her life and the things she has gone through.

Honeybees and Sexy Tees by Katie Mettner

Honey Blois is no stranger to pain. The lasting effects of an abusive childhood have made her life challenging, but it’s the ache of unrequited love she can no longer bear. When her confession goes unanswered, she has no choice but to fall out of love with her best friend. Mathias Jørgensen is living a lie. The billionaire playboy buries the pain of loving the one woman he can’t have with flashy cars and bad decisions—until Honey’s letter comes to light. With renewed hope for the future, he vows to find his way back to the boy she fell in love with if it’s the last thing he does. And it might be. As the pair blurs the line between friends and lovers, his unscrupulous past demands a reckoning. To save the woman he loves from a watery grave, Mathias will have to remember every last detail of the life he’s desperate to forget.

I loved this sequel! I had been wanting to read Honey and Mathias’ story for a while and finally got a chance to read it. This was so cute and realistic.

Freaking Love: Part One: First Love by Bethany Monaco Smith

You’ve got to be freaking kidding me. Seventeen and knocked up was not how I saw my life going. Yet, somehow, here I am. And I already know… this isn’t going to go well. My mother? She’s gonna kill me. This is pretty much the one thing she asked me not to do. The only thing she never wanted for me. My dad? He might hide it, but seeing disappointment in his eyes would be enough to break me.
My best friends? Well, let’s face it, they’re pretty much the most supportive people on the planet, but I don’t think any teenager is excited to hear their best friend is pregnant. Not to mention it’s going to change everything because then there’s Braden. The boy I’ve loved since I was six. I don’t think he can handle it. I know he’s not ready for it. We’ve always had an easy time. I thought our love was different, that it could last a lifetime. But now, I’m not so sure. I’m afraid this might be the thing that destroys us. Can first love survive real life? Can we survive this? Freaking Love is a mature coming-of-age romantic drama about first loves, lifelong friendships, what family really is, big drama, hard life lessons, and, of course, love. Stupid freaking love. Recommended for ages 16+

This was so good! I cried so much and the ending just wrecked me. I can’t wait to read the sequel and continue on in this story.

The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Jean Horwitz

Dastardly deeds aren’t exactly the first things that come to mind when one hears the name “Clementine,” but as the sole heir of the infamous Dark Lord Elithor, twelve-year-old Clementine Morcerous has been groomed since birth to be the best (worst?) Evil Overlord she can be. But everything changes the day her father is cursed by a mysterious rival. Now, Clementine must not only search for a way to break the curse, but also take on the full responsibilities of the Dark Lord. But when it’s time for her to perform dastardly deeds against the townspeople—including her brand-new friends—she begins to question her father’s code of good and evil. What if the Dark Lord Clementine doesn’t want to be a dark lord after all?

This was great! It was darker than I thought it would be, seeing as it is a middle grade, but I loved it. The fantasy elements in here are so good.

Beauty and the Beast by Snory Story and Georgia Muckett

You and your children will love this rendition of Beauty and the Beast with beautiful illustrations. This soft rhyming book makes for the perfect bedtime story. Follow the story as Belle rescues her father and uncovers the mystery of the forgotten castle. This fairy tale is sure to delight and reignite nostalgia.

This was a cute rendition of Beauty and the Beast in verse. It had some cute images in it too.

Isolation: Poems by Shannon O’Connor

A collection of poetry surrounding the time I felt most alone but learned to love myself and grow.

This was a beautiful poetry collection that everyone could find something to relate to. This talks about being in quarantine alone and about relationships and depression. A very fast read.

Those are all the books I read in January! Have you read any of these? Thank you so much for reading! Until next time.