In this conversation, I review the Toman Boys series. I cover my emotional journey through the books, character development, and the impact of the writing style, while also sharing my thoughts on the themes of love, trauma, and the complexities of young adult relationships. I address the cultural context of the story and the author's self-publishing journey. I hope more readers will enjoy the series so we can discuss it. I need some book sisters. Before reading, though, I encourage you to look up the trigger warnings since this book covers some sensitive topics. 

In this review, I share my 20-year journey to finally completing The Fellowship of the Ring. I reflect on my personal connection to the book, the impact of my grandfather's gift, and how my understanding of literature has evolved over the years. I discuss the influence of the Rings of Power series for my renewed passion for Middle-earth and offer insights into Tolkien's writing style, the importance of pacing in reading, and the challenges faced by autistic readers. This conversation is a blend of personal narrative and literary analysis, celebrating the enduring legacy of Tolkien's work.

In this episode, I discuss Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb, providing insights into the book's themes, characters, and writing style. I share my real-time reactions to the reading experience, critique the narrative structure and dialogue, and express my excitement for the series ahead. The review is both personal and analytical, offering a comprehensive look at the book's strengths and weaknesses.

In this episode, Kait expresses her frustrations with the trend of retelling stories in the fifth book of a series, particularly focusing on the Blood and Ash series by Jennifer Armentrout. She discusses her disappointment with the lack of new content and the emotional disconnect that arises when revisiting earlier plot points. Kait raises concerns about the publishing industry's focus on profit over storytelling quality and warns against the potential pitfalls of this trend in future series.

Scarlett Vandermeer is swimming upstream. A Junior at Stanford and a student-athlete who specializes in platform diving, Scarlett prefers to keep her head down, concentrating on getting into med school and on recovering from the injury that almost ended her career. She has no time for relationships—at least, that’s what she tells herself.

Swim captain, world champion, all-around aquatics golden boy, Lukas Blomqvist thrives on discipline. It’s how he wins gold medals and breaks records: complete focus, with every stroke. On the surface, Lukas and Scarlett have nothing in common. Until a well-guarded secret slips out, and everything changes.

So they start an arrangement. And as the pressure leading to the Olympics heats up, so does their relationship. It was supposed to be just a temporary, mutually satisfying fling. But when staying away from Lukas becomes impossible, Scarlett realizes that her heart might be treading into dangerous water… - Goodreads

Doctor Fionn Kane is running from a broken heart, one he hopes to mend in small-town Nebraska, far away from his almost-fiance and his derailed surgical career. It's a simpler head down, hard work, and absolutely no romantic relationships. He wants none of the circus he left behind in Boston.

But then the real circus finds him. Motorcycle performer Rose Evans has spent a decade on the road with the Silveria Circus, and it suits her just fine, especially when she has the urge to indulge in a little murder when she's not in the spotlight. But when a kill goes awry and she ends up with an injured leg, Rose finds herself stuck in Nebraska, at the home of the adorably nerdy town doctor. The problem is, not every broken heart can be sewn back together. . . And the longer you stay in one place, the more likely your ghosts are to catch up. - Goodreads

Alfie is at his wit’s end. After months of waking up to his twin daughters claiming there’s a man in their room, they suddenly claim that this “man” is their new best friend. A friend that takes them on adventures. They fly to the moon on his back. They explore the plumbing with him when he’s a fish. They snuggle in bed with him when he’s a bear. But try as he might, Alfie can’t play along with the invisible friend. He tries. He tries his best. Because he knows that this is a coping mechanism to recover from their mother’s sudden death in the basement. When Alfie’s patience runs short, he calls his sister-in-law, a therapist, for help. She talks to the girls and claims it’s a natural outlet for their grief until they say something that’s eerily familiar. Something that makes her think she has more of a hand in what is happening. When the history of the house and her family’s religious affiliation comes back into play, she begins to worry that the man her nieces are setting a place at the table for might not just be in their heads.

Faith didn’t want it to come, but it did. Just as she dreamt it the night before. The frozen lake swallows her brother, sucked under when the ice breaks. His cold body pulled out moments later, but it was too late. When word gets out that she saw it all happen, Faith is viewed as a pariah. She and her mom are removed from the family’s travel circus. They can’t take a chance. The last time someone had the sight, people died. It’s a curse. A plague. And everyone who joins the circus has to promise that nothing of this charlatan nature will ever be done. Years later, Faith has returned. She performs every night, that fateful day a thing of the past. And it will stay that way if she keeps her eye patch on. But when one of the other circus performers collapses during a performance, Faith tries to ease her friend’s pain by telling her that her father won’t die that night. Word gets out what she’s done, and soon Faith is shunned again, forced to provide for her ailing mother. Desperate, nothing stops her from using her gift again for money. Each time takes its toll, begging her to question where the gift is from and why she is suddenly seeing herself in the visions.