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My Top 10 Most Anticipated Books and Movies of 2022

Happy New Year To You All!

Well, not much has progressed in terms of the covid pandemic, but let's hope this year brings more order and control back to our lives. To kick off this year, check out my most anticipated books and movies for 2022.

WHICH BOOKS AND MOVIES ARE ON YOUR WISH LIST THIS YEAR?

 

My Top 10 Most Anticipated Books
Of 2022 Are:

 

      

        

      

My Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies

Of 2022 Are:

   

    

    

BOOK REVIEW: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance / Coming of Age
Publication Date: 12th April 2012

Book Description:

When Eleanor first meets Park, she thinks he's obnoxious. When Park first meets Eleanor, he thinks she's weird. It is hate at first sight. But as they suffer each other's company in silence on the bus rides from and to home every day, Eleanor and Park realise that first impressions can be deceiving.

Buy Links:

Amazon US ¦ UK

MY REVIEW

I've been meaning to read this book ever since it first came out. I know it's been almost a decade now, but better late than never. It would be easy to describe Eleanor and Park as two weird outcasts who fall in love over the course of a few weeks as they sit together on the bus journey to school. But Eleanor and Park are far more complex than that. There is a lot more to Eleanor and Park than meets the eye, something these characters both acknowledge when they start sharing their passion for storytelling, specifically comic books. When Eleanor and Park first meet, neither one liked the other, but once Eleanor gets a peek at Park's comic books, something changes between them. Soon they're sharing comic books and mix tapes.

I won't lie. It was hard to ignore the racial stereotypes running throughout the book, but I'm choosing to focus my attention on other aspects of the story that were easier to digest, which is the story about two outcasts learning to love and accept what they least like about themselves by  accepting each other just the way they are. I wouldn't say I was one hundred percent sold on Park's portrayal as an outcast considering he was liked by many girls in his school, was often described as being cute, and even the bully of the school seemed to have a certain level of respect for him. He definitely wasn't your typical loser, far from it, actually. Being the only Asian kid in his community, I did sympathise with the constant stereotypes he faced on a daily basis. I felt there should have been more focus on the effects being the only Asian kid in town had on Park emotionally and mentally, but there wasn't much said on how Park felt, like perhaps he felt ostracised, which would explain why he liked to keep to himself and  keep from drawing attention to himself being that he was an easy target. I didn't fully believe Park's father's animosity towards him. He didn't like Park because he thought his son was too feminine or perhaps because he thought Park might be gay? When Park started bringing Eleanor over to their house, his father still seemed somewhat displeased with Park, so I couldn't grasp what the actual deal was with his father. He marries a Korean woman, has a child with her and then dislikes his son because he isn't how he wanted him to be? What? Personally, I quite liked Park. He was a likeable character with great taste in comics and music. He's a kid trying to find his place in the town and his home. I so wish he had a better story arc because there was so much potential for his character, but it just felt as though all the interesting things that could have been explored were shoved under the carpet. Still, he was a pleasant character who treated Eleanor like a princess, so he's okay in my book.

Eleanor's portrayal was a lot easier to contend with. She had a neglectful mother and a violent stepfather and with her dress sense and hair, she couldn't help but stand out in a crowd. Eleanor has no luck in the parent department. Becoming friends with Park was the escape she needed. Her stepfather, Richie, despises Eleanor for reasons that are not fully explored, however, he hated her enough to have thrown her out of her home a year ago. Eleanor's mother is little to no help when it comes to protecting her children from the hostile environment they live in. When things escalates at home, Eleanor is left with no option but to flee, and her only help comes from a family member we know little to nothing about. At least we know she liked this family member, so that's better than nothing, I suppose. Eleanor went through a lot and is quite bold and brave. I liked that she had insecurities even though she pretended as though she care what others thought about her. She was a guarded character, which was understandable given her upbringing. I liked how her character unfolded. It didn't feel forced. I think that's what I liked most about the interaction between Eleanor and Park: how natural it felt. Their relationship felt real.

I liked the slow buildup of the romance and chemistry between Park and Eleanor. I liked that they started off as friends before progressing into a romantic connection. I found Eleanor's story more interesting to read about than Park's as I found Eleanor's family issues were better explored and made more sense when it came to understanding the interaction between her and her family. I would have liked a little more info on Richie other than the fact that he was a bully. Some context would have given the story more depth. It would have also been nice to have had a more developed character in Eleanor's mother. A lot of the characters appear as just empty vessels, filling the space. What's the motive behind their actions? What's their backstory?

I'm not a fan of the ending, but I won't say I hated it entirely. It just wasn't satisfying. I just wanted a little more. Overall, this was a good read with a lot of potential to be great. Eleanor and Park were interesting characters. The story just needed more depth and more fleshed out characters to make it feel more complete.

VERDICT:

Rating: 3 Star

Source: Own Copy

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Imperfect by Holly Carr

Imperfect

Author: Holly Carr

Publication Date: August 2nd, 2021

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance / Suspense

Book Description:

She isn’t looking for love. He’s running from it.

A workplace crush is supposed to be light-hearted. Frivolous, even. Just some daydream inspiration to make the hours go faster, or to fill in twenty boring minutes.

Sam isn’t ready to develop actual feelings for someone. Not with Logan still looming so large in her heart, and especially not when the subject of her infatuation is her new employer.

Alex doesn’t plan to fall in love ever again. Not after what happened with Victoria.

But fate seems determined to begin an unwanted love story, and a tentative romance blossoms as Alex and Sam battle the malicious sabotage of a rival company.

That is, until Alex’s evil ex-wife re-enters his life, threatening to take custody of their daughter.

Sam’s determination to help the desperate man stand up for himself brings the two would-be lovers closer, but Victoria’s antics only highlight to Alex the dangers of leaving himself vulnerable.

Can Sam convince him to set aside eleven years of stanch celibacy and give into his feelings?

And just how did he get that mysterious scar on his face?

This contemporary romantic suspense novel is perfect for readers with a soft spot for a hesitant love story, a single dad, and a relatable heroine.

Buy Links:

Amazon | UK | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Guardians of the Mask by Haley Kate

Guardians of the Mask

Author: Haley Kate

Publication Date: June 8th 2017

Genre: Fantasy / Historical

Book Description:

An extraordinary golden mask is in the hands of an ordinary boy…

It’s a mask entrusted to great warriors and heroes, thought to be lost in the sands of time. It can summon immortal armies, grant unimaginable strength and heal mortal wounds.

The golden mask has reappeared. And now it’s in the hands of Rafe, a hard working, loyal and at times mischievous teenager who thinks he is of little importance.

But he is wrong. Rafe is chosen by the mask and destined to become as the warriors of legend.

With the powers of the golden mask, he is the only one who can keep the kingdom safe when it comes under threat.

But not everybody thinks the mask should be in the hands of a common boy. When an eccentric Prince finds out the mask is in the hands of a common boy, he decides to interfere with destiny.

Armed with his own dark forces, he threatens to bring the kingdom to its knees.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

Christmas & New Year Giveaway - Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Christmas & New Year Giveaway

December 25th to January 23rd

Here's wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Open to entrants 13+ worldwide

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal - The Gunslinger's Guide to Avoiding Matrimony by Michelle McLean

The Gunslinger’s Guide to Avoiding Matrimony

(Gunslinger, #2)

Author: Michelle McLean

Published by: Entangled: Amara

Publication Date: July 26th, 2022

Genre: Adult Comedy Romance / Western

Book Description:

This gunslinger has two rules, and he’s about to break both of them for her in this next installment of the laugh-out-loud western romcom from Michelle McLean.

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon US | UK

About the Author

Michelle McLean is a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl who is addicted to chocolate and Goldfish crackers and spent most of her formative years with her nose in a book. She has degrees in history and English and is thrilled that she sort of gets to use them. Her novel Truly, Madly, Sweetly, written as Kira Archer, was adapted as a Hallmark Original movie in 2018.

When Michelle’s not working, reading, or chasing her kids around, she can usually be found baking, diamond painting, or trying to find free wall space upon which to hang her diamond paintings. She resides in PA with her husband and two teens, the world’s most spoiled dog, and a cat who absolutely rules the house. She also writes contemporary romance as USA Today bestselling author Kira Archer.

For more info on Michelle and her work, please visit her website at michellemcleanbooks.com.

Author Links:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Hosted by:

BOOK REVIEW: Eli and the Mystery of the Hallowshine Dragon by Eve Cabanel

Eli and the Mystery of the Hallowshine Dragon

Author: Eve Cabinet

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Publisher: Twenty Two House Publishing

Publication Date: 23rd October 2021

Book Description:

A moon elf’s journey to undo a dragon’s curse illuminates the power of friendship.

Two courageous friends adventure through lands of unicorns, fairies, and magical rainbows to confront a terrifying beast with a surprising wish.

In a beautiful enchanted forest lives a moon elf named Eli and her friend Luna. When Luna’s baby bunny is turned into hard rock candy by magical sugar crystals, the friends begin a journey to do the impossible to reverse the curse: confront the terrifying and legendary Hallowshine dragon for a drop of its healing saliva. 

In their journey to find the dragon, Eli and Luna meet magical creatures and travel through various dreamy lands including the Abyss of Time, a marvelous unicorn’s kingdom, a whimsical fairy’s home, and a waterfall with enchanted golden shoes.

The friends race against time to find the mysterious dragon and a magical lesson is learned about how love, friendship, and acceptance can heal all if you have courage and believe in yourself.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK

MY REVIEW

Eli and her best friend, Luna, spend their days exploring the enchanted forest, but something terrible is happening that has the creatures of the forest running scared. These strange crystals are turning anyone who touches them into hard rock candy. When tragedy strikes Luna's baby bunny, Eli and Luna must face their fears and venture into the dangerous forest to seek a cure before Luna's baby bunny is lost to them forever.

This was a beautiful tale of friendship and courage. What wonderful illustrations. So bright and colourful. It will definitely draw the attention of curious young minds. Despite how much I love the book, I had to deduct a star due to the grammatical errors that cropped up in places. Apart from that, this was a wonderful journey that I thoroughly enjoyed.

VERDICT:

Rating: 4

Source: Author

Blog Tour & Review: No Good About Goodbye by CT Lotta

An incautious, funny, coming-of-age tale for mature teens and adult readers…

By CT Liotta

NO GOOD ABOUT GOODBYE, YA/LGBT, Rot 

Gut Pulp, 308 pp.

Fifteen-year-old Ian Racalmuto’s life is in ruins after an embassy raid in Algiers. His mother, a vodka-drunk spy, is dead. His brother, a diplomat, has vanished. And, he’s lost a cremation urn containing a smartphone that could destroy the world.

Forced to live with his cantankerous grandfather in Philadelphia, Ian has seven days to find his brother and secure the phone—all while adjusting to life in a troubled urban school and dodging assassins sent to kill him.

Ian finds an ally in William Xiang, an undocumented immigrant grappling with poverty, a strict family, and abusive classmates. They make a formidable team, but when Ian’s feelings toward Will grow, bombs, bullets and crazed bounty hunters don’t hold a candle to his fear of his friend finding out. Will it wreck their relationship, roll up their mission, and derail a heist they’ve planned at the State Department?

Like a dime store pulp adventure of the past, No Good About Goodbye is an incautious, funny, coming-of-age tale for mature teens and adult readers. 308p.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK | B&N | Bookshop

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Only Sometimes by Felicia Blaedel

Only Sometimes

(The Without Filter Series, #3)

Author: Felicia Blaedel

Publication Date: December 9th, 2021

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Disagreeing from the first time they meet, Noah and Niko know exactly how to push each other’s buttons while they fight the intense pull between them. But when they’re forced to work together, they might realise that their connection runs deeper than frustration and lust.

Niko is driven and ambitious, even when it’s misconceived as cold and measured. Her latest project is her great-grandmother’s nature organisation. Niko is determined to see it thrive again and hopefully understand herself and her broken family better in the process. Getting a handle on her inconvenient feelings is a must too.

Noah has made a promise to set things right and honour his eccentric grandfather’s hard work. Even when that means taking on an active role in a small nature organisation, while hiding his true identity. He is busy enough as it is with university, work, and late nights of writing. Still, he can’t help but care about the organisation. Or the fierce woman who always seems to make his life harder.

Only Sometimes is a new adult frenemies to lovers romance set in Copenhagen, Denmark (with a getaway to a gorgeous Swedish forest). It’s book three in the Without Filter Series, but it can be read as a complete standalone. Only Sometimes is a steamy slow-burn romance, and it contains spicier content than the previous two books in the series.

Buy Links:

Amazon US | UK