Category: Monthly Wrap-Up (Page 2 of 9)

Monthly Wrap-Up: July & August

During our Monthly Wrap-Up, we’ll take a look at what has happened around here in the last month. That’ll include what’s happened in my life, what we’ve read, any other posts we may have had, and our most popular Instagram posts..

*We linked this post to the November Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up Link-Up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction*

 

Jen’s Life:

✮ Last month we went to Southern California to visit family and spend our days at the beach. I was not ready to come back home to the smoke, it was such a wonderful reprieve! We got to surf, boogie board, kayak, look for ocean creatures in the tide-pools and hang out with family and friends. It was a blast and I’m counting down till we get to go back down there in October!
✮ My boys started 5th and 3rd grade and it’s just been a crazy school year. The majority of their recesses have been inside, because of the smoke from Caldor Fire, since it’s so very close to us. Our air quality constantly goes over 500, ash keeps falling and our skies are orange or red, but we’re still safe! Right now we’re hoping and praying that the firefighters can save as much of our area as they can and that everyone stays safe!

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What We Read:

5 Stars:
Grace and Glory (The Harbinger #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The Perfect Play (Southern U O’Brien Brothers #2) by Cookie O’Gorman
Waylaid (True North #8) by Sarina Bowen
OUR VIOLENT ENDS (These Violent Delights #2) by Chloe Gong
All of Us Villains (All of Us Villains #1) by Amanda Foody
Starlight (Speakeasy Taproom #7) by Christine DePetrillo
Stargazer (Speakeasy Taproom #8) by Wendy S. Marcus

4.5 Stars:
Wildflower (Speakeasy Taproom #5) by Mae Wood
Stronghold (Vino & Veritas #14) by Ana Ashley
Forever Starts Now by Stefanie London


4 Stars:
Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery #1) by Mia P. Manansala
Showstopper (Vino & Veritas #17) by Regina Kyle
Attraction (Hypothesis #1) by Penny Reid

 

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Our Favorite Books of the Month:
 

Jen’s Choice – Grace and Glory by Jennifer L. Armentrout & The Perfect Play by Cookie O’Gorman
I’m sorry but I refuse to choose between a Paranormal and a Contemporary.  I loved them both with my whole heart!  Grace and Glory was a stunning conclusion to The Harbinger Series!  With tears, laughter, friendship and love splashed across the pages, this book was such a huge win!  If you’re a fan of Jennifer L Armentrout or paranormal stories then you definitely need this series in your life!  And The Perfect Play was an instant favorite!  Cookie’s books always make me laugh and smile, and again this one was such a huge hit!  If you’re looking for a romance story that is swoon worthy and will make you fall in love, then look no further, this is your book!

 

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Arielle’s Choice – Waylaid (True North #8) by Sarina Bowen
I knew I needed a book about Rickie from the first time we laid eyes on him in Heartland. He was such an enigma to me and I knew that if we were to get a glimpse into what him, him that I would consume it in a day (I did).


 
 
 
 

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Chelsea’s Choice – OUR VIOLENT ENDS (These Violent Delights #2) by Chloe Gong
Gong restored my faith in books. She restored my faith in how I can be addicted and pine and hope for a certain path to be taken and for the author to write certain things, it not go my way (I am veryyyy picky with my romance and enemies to lovers and peril), and STILL love how it goes. Not one thing felt forced. Not one moment blemished by rushing and trying to fit everything in. It all felt real, it felt natural. That is the mark of a true author. THAT is how you create forever fans. THAT is how you CRUSH the YA world.

 
 

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Instagram:

We thought it would be fun to share our most popular posts for August. And they were….

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 

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So this was our July & August….did you read any of the same books that we did? Or share the same favorite book as us? If not, then what was your favorite book? Or have you read any of the books I just added to my TBR?

Here’s hoping you all had a wonderful July & August. And cheers to September being fabulous for all of us!

 

Monthly Wrap-Up: April

During our Monthly Wrap-Up, we’ll take a look at what has happened around here in the last month. That’ll include what’s happened in my life, what we’ve read, any other posts we may have had, our most popular Instagram posts, and books that I’ve added to my ever-growing TBR.

*We linked this post to the April Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up Link-Up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction*

 

Jen’s Life:

✮ I celebrated my 41st birthday last month.  You guys, I do not feel that old lol!  Since we didn’t get to celebrate my 40th with my family last year, this year my Aunt made me a unicorn cake and my Mom got me a unicorn pinata and balloons.  It was the best day ever!
✮ We got our seeds to start our garden, yay!  Since we live in snow country, by Lake Tahoe, we can’t plant them outside till the end of this month.  But we already have some started inside our house!  This year we’ll be growing tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, radishes, carrots, spinach, zucchini and yellow squash.

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What We Read:

5 Stars:
Bombshells (Brooklyn #5) by Sarina Bowen
The ​Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and Ash #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
When a Cowboy Loves a Woman (Creedence Horse Rescue #2) by Jennie Marts
Code (International Sensory Assassin Network #4) by Mary Ting

4.5 Stars:
The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) by Danielle L. Jensen

4 Stars:
Chain of Iron (The Last Hours #2) by Cassandra Clare
Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked #1) by Kerri Maniscalco
The Seat Filler by Sariah Wilson
Overtime (Moo U #5) by Kat Mizera
Halftime (Moo U #6) by Kim Findlay
Darkroom (Moo U #7) by Kate Willoughby
Twisted Love (Twisted #1) by Ana Huang

2.5 Stars:
Gametime (Moo U #4) by Jami Davenport

 

 

 

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Our Favorite Books of the Month:
 

Jen’s Choice – The ​Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and Ash #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout & Code (International Sensory Assassin Network #4) by Mary Ting
I’m sorry but again I can NOT choose between a fantasy and a dystopian.  They’re so different and I loved both of them in very different ways.  The Crown of Gilded Bones was an epic continuation of the From Blood and Ash Series!  It gave me chills, caused tears to fall down my face, and made me to laugh out loud so much, sometimes at the most inappropriate times.  CODE was a heart pounding addition to the ISAN series!  With a gritty and rugged story-line, that held a lot of heart, this book was impossible to put down! 

 

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Arielle’s Choice – Bombshells (Brooklyn #5) by Sarina Bowen
There are books that you read and something strikes you like a bolt of lightning while reading a certain line and you just…can’t breathe. I felt that way when I read the quote found above. “And I can’t fucking breathe.” Like who wouldn’t want someone to look at them and literally lose the ability to breathe because they are so stunned by what they are seeing in front of them. That line for me was the very moment that I knew Anton and Sylvie’s story was going to be something extraordinary.

 
 
 
 

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Instagram:

We thought it would be fun to share our most popular posts for April. And they were….

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 

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Books Added To Jen’s Goodreads TBR This Month:
 
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So this was our April….did you read any of the same books that we did? Or share the same favorite book as us? If not, then what was your favorite book? Or have you read any of the books I just added to my TBR?

Here’s hoping you all had a wonderful April. And cheers to May being fabulous for all of us!

Monthly Wrap-Up: March

During our Monthly Wrap-Up, we’ll take a look at what has happened around here in the last month. That’ll include what’s happened in my life, what we’ve read, any other posts we may have had, our most popular Instagram posts, and books that I’ve added to my ever-growing TBR.

*We linked this post to the March Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up Link-Up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction*

 

Jen’s Life:

✮ Our youngest turned 8 this last month.  We took the day off from school (the advantages of homeschooling yay!), and celebrated the day with family, played games, had In N Out takeout and enjoyed the weather outside. 
✮ I’ve been doing a step challenge on Garmin, with my sister-in-law, since last month.  I decided to cut myself slack on the days I work out on the elliptical or the recumbent bike and watch The Vampire Diaries (soooooo good!!), so if I don’t hit 10k steps on those days then I’m fine with it.  But like last night, I was 2k steps short EEKS!  So there I am walking in place, next to our bed while reading a book, and my husband was staring at me like I’m crazy lol!
✮ Some of my favorite recipes I made this last month were Italian Baked Chicken and Pastina, Hamburger Noodle Casserole, Slower Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken & Triple Chocolate Cake.

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What We Read:

5 Stars:
The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black
Wallflower by Cookie O’Gorman
Heartscape (Vino & Veritas #2) by Garrett Leigh

4.5 Stars:
The Secret Recipe for Moving On by Karen Bischer

4 Stars:
The Marquess and I (Forever Yours #1) by Stacy Reid
Headstrong (Vino & Veritas #3) by Eden Finley

 

 

 

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Our Favorite Books of the Month:
 

Arielle’s Choice – Heartscape (Vino & Veritas #2) by Garrett Leigh
Heartscape resonated deep within my bones.  Just thinking about how obvious their love for each other was just makes my heart so happy *cries* lol. Such a great book!

 

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Jen’s Choice – The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly BlackWallflower by Cookie O’Gorman
I’m sorry but I can NOT  pick a favorite between a fantasy and a contemporary lol.  It is impossible!  I LOVED both of these books with my whole heart and soul!  If you’re a fan of YA fantasy or enemies to lovers, then definitely pickup The Cruel Prince!  And if you’re a fan of young adult romance or fake dating then you gotta add Wallflower to your tbr!

 
 
 
 

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Instagram:

We thought it would be fun to share our most popular posts for March. And they were….

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 

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Books Added To Jen’s Goodreads TBR This Month:
 
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So this was our March….did you read any of the same books that we did? Or share the same favorite book as us? If not, then what was your favorite book? Or have you read any of the books I just added to my TBR?

Here’s hoping you all had a wonderful March. And cheers to April being fabulous for all of us!

Monthly Wrap-Up: February

During our Monthly Wrap-Up, we’ll take a look at what has happened around here in the last month. That’ll include what’s happened in my life, what we’ve read, any other posts we may have had, our most popular Instagram posts, and books that I’ve added to my ever-growing TBR.

*We linked this post to the January Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up Link-Up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction*

 

Jen’s Life:

✮ In February we played a lot in the snow.  One of my favorite places to go sledding, by our house, can be seen here.  And you can catch a picture of my doggie best friend Bentley here just because ♥.
✮ My sister-in-law challenged me to get 10k steps a day with her and today is day 3 for me.  So pleeeeease think happy thoughts for me that I can keep up with her since she’s already been doing this for 25 days.
✮ Some of my favorite recipes we made this last month were these sugar cookies and this frosting to go on top of them for Valentines Day.  I’ve used both of those recipes for as long as I can remember.  We also loved these brownie cookies, yum!  And when our boys had a slumber party over at my parents, Andy and I made this lemon spaghetti which my boys aren’t a fan of and Andy and I love lol!

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What We Read:

5 Stars:
The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros

4.5 Stars:
Slapshot (Moo U #2) by Rebecca Jenshak
Rescuing Harmony Ranch by Jennie Marts

4 Stars:
Blue Skies by T.L. Martin
The Spinster and the Rake (Never a Wallflower #1) by Eva Devon
Blindsided (Moo U #1) by Victoria Denault
Holdout (Moo U #3) by Jaqueline Snowe
The Problem With Cupid (Holiday Romance #2) by Robin Daniels

 

 

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Our Favorite Books of the Month:
 

Jen’s Choice – The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros
The Things We Leave Unfinished was an emotional powerhouse that quickly enraptured my heart.  The story was hauntingly beautiful and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters.  This is easily one of my top favorite reads of the year and if you love romance, then you should definitely have this one on their tbr.

 

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Arielle’s Choice – Slapshot (Moo U #2) by Rebecca Jenshak
I knew it from the first few times that he was mentioned in Blindsided and it was so good to have it confirmed: Lex Vonne is one of my all-time favorite male leads in a romance.

 
 
 
 

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Instagram:

We thought it would be fun to share our most popular posts for February. And they were….

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 

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Books Added To Jen’s Goodreads TBR This Month:
 
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So this was our February….did you read any of the same books that we did? Or share the same favorite book as us? If not, then what was your favorite book? Or have you read any of the books I just added to my TBR?

Here’s hoping you all had a wonderful February. And cheers to March being fabulous for all of us!

Monthly Wrap-Up: January

During our Monthly Wrap-Up, we’ll take a look at what has happened around here in the last month. That’ll include what’s happened in my life, what we’ve read, any other posts we may have had, our most popular Instagram posts, and books that I’ve added to my ever-growing TBR.

*We linked this post to the January Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up Link-Up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction*

 

Jen’s Life:

✮ We officially hit the halfway point for the school year, a few weeks ago, and homeschooling has been going amazing well.  I’m very thankful that the curriculum I picked out for my boys last summer has been such a great fit.  Math is still my favorite subject to teach, but I’m shocked that I’m loving history so much.  They looooooove history and their love for it is definitely contagious.
✮ We’ve just been playing in our feet and feet and feet of snow lol.  We made a snow jump on our driveway and our kiddos have spent countless hours just going off of that jump again and again. LOL!

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What We Read:

5 Stars:
Her Wicked Marquess (Sinful Wallflowers #2) by Stacy Reid
The Forever Girl (Wildstone #6) by Jill Shalvis
My Clarity (My Clarity #1) by M. Clarke
Dating Makes Perfect by Pintip Dunn
Unchosen by Katharyn Blair

4.5 Stars:
10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

4 Stars:
Roommate by Sarina Bowen
Christmas Cliche by Tara Sivec
All the Tides of Fate (All the Stars and Teeth #2) by Adalyn Grace
The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous

 

                

 

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Our Favorite Books of the Month:

Cassie’s Choice – Unchosen by Katharyn Blair
This book was so many things: scary, funny, emotional and thrilling. It had so many wonderful characters, was well-paced and totally intriguing. I had a hard time putting it down and loved how everything came together at the end.

 
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Chelsea’s Choice – Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked #1) byKerri Maniscalco
Sometimes a story is just picked up at the right time, for the right person, and in a moment that someone needs them the most.  This is THAT book, I am THAT person, and I needed this book more than I needed my next breath.

 

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Jen’s Choice – Her Wicked Marquess (Sinful Wallflowers #2) by Stacy Reid
An intricate tale filled with seduction and so much more than meets the eye.  By that first chapter, I was already obsessed and knew that this book was going to be an instant favorite.  The story brimmed with irresistible banter, charm, humor, romance and was so easy to devour.  If you love historical romance, then you definitely need to add this one to your tbr!

 
 
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Arielle’s Choice – Roommate by Sarina Bowen
Roderick stole the show with his bright and sunny personality and of course, since this is a Sarina Bowen novel, his FOOD. I swear I always wind up hungry after finishing her books and want to try making all these new things, lol.

 
 

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Instagram:

We thought it would be fun to share our most popular posts for January. And they were….

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Star-Crossed Book Blog (@starcrossedbookblog)

 

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Books Added To Jen’s TBR This Month:
 
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So this was our January….did you read any of the same books that we did? Or share the same favorite book as us? If not, then what was your favorite book? Or have you read any of the books I just added to my TBR?

Here’s hoping you all had a wonderful January. And cheers to February being fabulous for all of us!

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