Book Review: Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas

Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. 

You can buy this book here.

I have heard great things about Penelope Douglas. Pretty much everyone seems to know her and her books have amazing ratings on Goodreads, so I should definitely join the party, I thought. And I'm very glad I did.

What's the story?

Punk 57 is centred on a boy and a girl who start out as pen pals. They grow up, life catches up and boy meets girl, but the girl doesn't know he is her pen pal! Sounds twisty enough yet? Believe me, the story gets 'mind-blowingly twistier' as the story progresses. Be warned, this is a dark romance, so things get pretty NSFW into the story.

What did I like about the story?

I really loved the characters. Not just Misha and Ryen, but the rest of the ensemble too. Misha is a heartthrob honestly; a tattoo-sporting, future rockstar with dark family secrets. Ryen is the cheerleader Mean Girl who is more than what she seems. Both protagonists had an amazing depth to their characters, and I very much bonded with them. I am craving to see more of them, and I'm praying for more of their story!

Then there's the rest of the ensemble. My personal favourite? J.D.! His character had so much potential and, keeping with the theme of the story, I didn't spot it till the last few chapters. Ten! Manny! Man, I need more story on these great characters!

I loved the twists in this story, too. There were some obvious ones that I suspected, but it's always great to have your half-ass guesses validated by the author! 

What did I not like about this book?

I'll admit that I was frustrated at Ryen in the initial chapters. I didn't think I'll like her at all, but she totally grew on me. So, I guess that's not really a negative point. One legit negative is that this is standalone! I have spoilt myself on the Devil's Night series, so I totally recognised Misha's cousin and his hot friends (I pretty much frothed at the mouth when they made an appearance), but I need more of just Misha and Ryen! They're just amazing characters! So realistic and raw!

My final verdict? 

Absolutely loved it! I can't wait to read the spin-off! I'm so ready for more Thunder Bay boys! 

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Book Review: Also Human by Caroline Elton

Also Human: The Inner Lives of Doctors by Caroline Elton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.  

You can buy this book here.

I picked this book up during one of the student placements in Melbourne at Readings, Carlton. I was drawn to it because it discusses problems faced by junior doctors, which is what I will be soon. So, it felt like a good way to prepare me.

What I liked about this book, is that though the author is speaking about a UK environment, I find these issues are quite universal. There were chapters that spoke of difficulties that arise in transitioning to medical school, or to clinical studies, or to a whole new country.

My favourite chapter was "Leaky Pipes", which looked at sexism in the medical workplace, especially in the surgical field. I found this chapter inspiring; Elton talks about the issues clients of hers faced, the facts of these issues and how her clients fared against these odds.

What I didn't like was the cover. Honestly, I felt that a much more creative approach could have been taken. It is just too plain and uninspiring to me. The next factor I didn't like is that it ended! I just wanted more of Elton's experience when I kept reading, and it's a damn shame that the book had to end!

via GIPHY

At the end of this book, I felt motivated, inspired and apprehensive. This book brought a lot of obvious and not so obvious workplace issues to my attention. A part of me is scared about how progressing into my internship years would play out, but the rest of me is excited to take the approaches Elton discussed in this book.

via GIPHY

Have any of you read any great medical memoirs? I haven't read enough so let me know some recommendations in the comments below!

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Jan' 2020 TBR Pile

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.  

Happy new year, everyone! 2019 has been an amazing year but all good things must end for a better one to take their place! There is a lot that I'm planning on getting done this new year, starting with this month's TBR pile.

My last month's TBR pile did not go so well. I had four books that I wanted to finish up in December but I'm only halfway through the third book. Anyone else had better luck with their last TBR? 😅 

I don't usually do well when I carry on TBR books from month to month, so I pretty much refresh my pile each month. What I have got this month are four more books that I would like to finish up!

Without further ado, here are my TBR books for January 2020:

1. Brain Rules by John Medina

I love a good non-fiction book as much as the next guy, and this one was recommended to me by a lecturer of mine. I'm at like the 20% mark with this book right now, and I can see why people enjoy it; Medina has a writing style that can weave neurons and hormones into a grand story.

Buy Brain Rules here.

2. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

I am 100% reading this book because of how highly recommended it is. Funnily enough, I got this book at a discounted price at a sale, and it's a large edition with a few blemishes here and there. I am very excited to discuss this book once I start reading it!

Buy The Goldfinch here.

3. Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer

One of my friends raved about how much she loves Archer's writing, so I picked this up at a discounted price. I don't think this is one of his more popular books but I'm gonna give it a chance and see how it goes.

Buy Only Time Will Tell here.

4. The Lady in the Van by Alan Bennett

Another discounted book! I'm starting to see a trend here! 😉 When I saw Dame Maggie Smith on the cover, I just picked it up, no matter how good or bad it is. To be honest, I didn't know anything about this book when I picked it up. Hopefully, it's a good read and I have a good time.

Buy The Lady in the Van here.

Have you guys read any of these yet? None of these are new books, so I'm sure quite a few of you have. Let me know in the comments below!

Cover Reveal: Kiss of Vengeance by S. Young

AVAILABLE MARCH 3, 2020

I have been a huge fan of Samantha Young since I read On Dublin Street. I loved the unique, clever, addictive series, and I'm honoured to team up with her to reveal the cover of her latest book: KISS OF VENGEANCE, releasing March 3rd, 2020.

This is my first time officially hosting a cover reveal, and I'm thrilled my first cover reveal is a Samantha Young book! On Dublin Street mesmerised me and I have been dying to see Scotland ever since, and now with Kiss of Vengeance, the story is centred on magical Ireland.

I couldn't be more excited to introduce you guys to Kiss of Vengeance, the latest book in the TRUE IMMORTALITY series. In today's blog post, you can take a look at the cover, learn more about the story and pre-order the book, should you choose to do so. 

Many thanks to Samantha Young and her team for facilitating this cover reveal! Note: this blog post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

KISS OF VENGEANCE (A TRUE IMMORTALITY NOVEL) BY S. YOUNG

Coming March 3rd, 2020

Photo: Wander Aguiar

Cover Design: By Hang Le

About the book:

A standalone paranormal romance from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young,

writing as S. Young.

Fionn Mór was once a high king of Ireland; a fierce warrior who led his tribes against the

invading fae. It was a war he couldn’t win and to save his family he turned consort for the

Fae Queen. Fionn escaped as the thing he once despised, and the people he loved betrayed

him for it. Now, centuries later, it’s time to reopen the gates to Faerie to take his revenge

against the Faerie Queen.

At sixteen Rose Kelly discovered family secrets that changed her forever. Years after, she’s

still lost, traveling across Europe in search of that elusive missing ‘something’. When she’s

attacked by a vampire, not only is she wrenched into a supernatural underworld she never

knew existed, a knock on the head releases a spell on her mind and unlocks powers beyond

her wildest imaginings. And with them more questions. Questions Fionn Mór claims to have

answers to.

Following the powerful and enigmatic Fionn to Ireland, Rose quickly realizes she’s a pawn in

his plan for vengeance. What begins as a passionate battle of wills leads to an inexplicable

but undeniable connection. One that will force them to face an impossible choice between the

deepest love… and the darkest revenge.

Preorder Now:

• Add it Goodreads – http://bit.ly/2pjjKF2 
• Apple Books – https://apple.co/2MFzUAC 
• Kindle US – https://amzn.to/2M8JjSq 
• Kindle Worldwide – mybook.to/KissOfVengeance 
• Nook – http://bit.ly/35v8I04 
• Kobo US – http://bit.ly/2B6AMsP 

Most Anticipated Book Releases of 2020

2019 is almost at an end and I'm pretty much dying for the new books that are coming up next year! Most of my anticipated releases are continuation pieces, which I'm the most excited for!

1. Twisted Hearts by Cora Reilly

Twisted Hearts by Cora Reilly




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Expected date of publication:7th January 2020

Why I'm excited: 

This is the fifth book in The Camorra Chronicles, a mafia romance written by Cora Reilly that ties on to the Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles. This particular book is based on Savio Falcone, one of the four infamous Falcone brothers. 

I read the first few books of the Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles and skimmed through the rest, but this series is what I consider the gold standard of mafia romances. It's got this raw love in it that I find very adorable I guess and its writing is genius. The highlight on family and romance in this series is very well done, and I'm very much rooting for all the mafia men in this series to get their own HEA!

2. Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

View all my reviews

Expected date of publication: 3rd March 2020

Why I'm excited:

I read City of Bones several years back, and I am pretty sure I read it at least twice. I have been a fan of The Shadowhunter Chronicles since then, and I have tried a little successfully to keep up to date. I loved The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices, but I couldn't really keep up with the saga once I started med school five years ago. 

I haven't read The Dark Artifices yet, though I've got the first two books in the trilogy. Hopefully, I'll get a chance next year to get back on track with this saga, so I'm going to keep collecting the books as they come.

And honestly, with these gorgeous covers, who can not buy these books?

3. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins




View all my reviews

Expected date of publication: 19th May 2020

Why I'm excited: 

I read The Hunger Games ages ago, around the time when the movie was a big deal and everything was about THG. I remember loving the series but not the movies so much. But, I'm very excited about this instalment in the series.

However, all I know about this book is that it will be set sixty-four years before events of THG, focussing on the Tenth Hunger Games. I don't know if I'm missing anything, but that's all I know about this book. 

The cover looks gorgeous and I'm excited to have this on my shelves!

4. Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Expected date of publication: 9th June 2020

Why I'm excited: 

I started The Dark Elementals series this year, after procrastinating for an epic amount of time, and I loved it. Not as much as A Wicked Trilogy, but enough to read the trilogy in a matter of days. I loved its main characters: Layla, Roth, and Zayne. But the trilogy's ending left much unsaid about Zayne and his future.

So, when Zayne's story came out, I was so invested in The Harbinger series. It picked up a few months after the predecessor series ended and basically everyone goes on a new world-saving adventure involving Heaven and Hell. There were many new characters introduced (my personal favourite is Trinity), and, after reading Storm and Fury, I honestly believe this series is doing a lot better than The Dark Elementals.

5. The Queen by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Queen by Jennifer L. Armentrout




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Expected date of publication: 20th July 2020

Why I'm excited: 

I have been a huge fan of JLA's A Wicked Trilogy since I read the first book, which was last year I think. It focuses on a world where the Fae cohabit the human world after coming through Portals from the Otherworld. I am pretty much in love with all the characters in it, including the Bad Guys because everyone is pretty much hot as hell. 

The spin-off series is based on The Summer Prince, Caden, and the human Brighton Jussier. The Prince has been a hot enigma since he got introduced in the main storyline and this is the story that everyone has been dying for. The spin-off is, I think, three novellas in total, and The Queen is the last one.

This book is hands-down THE most anticipated 2020 release for me. It is part of an amazing series that I have been invested in for more than a year and I'm rooting for all its characters to get their own spin-offs, to be honest.

6. Nightfall by Penelope Douglas

Nightfall by Penelope Douglas




View all my reviews

Expected date of publication: TBA

Why I'm excited:  

I have this terrible habit of skimming through books when I'm really excited but can't find the time to properly invest in it. It is the dumbest habit of mine since I don't really understand the whole story but I read all the steamy scenes and I love it.

The Devil's Night series is one of those. I never considered it as a 'read' book on Goodreads because I'm not happy with how I skimmed over it, buuuuuut I'm hella excited for this series. It is hot, dark, mysterious and can be taboo at times, but I love it!

This book is Will's story and he's been sort of a quiet character over what little I have read, so this book is much anticipated right now. 

7. Bound by the Past by Cora Reilly

Bound by the Past by Cora Reilly




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Expected date of publication: TBA

Why I'm excited: 

And here it is! The next milestone in the Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles. I have read only the first book in this series and skimmed the rest, but it's an amazing bunch of characters and lots of kinky stuff. 

Bound by the Past revisits Dante and Valentina, who we have not properly seen since their story in Book 2. I'm very excited about these two, but also for the rest of the characters too. Definitely excited to see more Dante and Luca confrontations because those two have this rival mafia boss roles down pat.

So, that's it for my list! I can't wait for next year's releases, but honestly, I'm not sure if I'll end up buying all these releases or not. I certainly didn't buy some of the anticipated releases for this year, so who knows... I do have a few of these pre-ordered, so I'm excited!

How about you guys? Any book releases you are excited for next year? Let me know in the comments below and I might just add those to my list too!