Yesterday was our March bookhaul, so today it’s time to talk about the books we read. Was it a good reading month? Did we find any new favorites? Keep on reading our March wrap up to find out!
Candyce
Reading has been going really great for me and I’m loving it. In March I had two weeks off of work and spent quite a bit of time reading. Also, since I started listening to the audiobook while physically reading, I’ve started reading more. So in total I read 35 books and I had 2 DNFs (10 paperbacks, 9 audiobooks, 7 manga, 4 eARCs, 5 ebooks, and 2 hardcovers). My average rating was a 4.2 and with that many books I’m really happy with that. Let’s take a look at what I read!
Bride – Ali Hazelwood
I’ve loved everything Ali Hazelwood has written, so I was excited when she announced Bride. This book was definitely different than her others, but I loved Misery and Lowe’s story. I wouldn’t complain if Ali Hazelwood gave us more in this world.
A Sign of Affection Vol. 3 – Vol. 7 – Suu Morishita
After trying out the first two volumes of this manga I was hooked. The boyfriend gave me the rest of the series (the volumes available so far) and I’m all caught up. Yuki’s story is just so heartwarming and I love seeing her discover more of the world and her relationship with Itsuomi. The next volume releases in April and I’m anxiously awaiting my copy.
Swift and Saddled – Lyla Sage
We met Wes in Done and Dusted and I was excited that we were getting his story. I loved Ada and Wes slowly getting closer and falling in love. What I also really appreciated about this book is that these two did talk and there wasn’t a really dramatic third act breakup. I wish we got this more in romances.
Next of Kin – Hannah Bonam-Young
Out On a Limb is a book I loved last year, so I knew I needed to read more by this author. Next of Kin is an emotional, but heartwarming story. Found family is a big trope in this one and communication is important. Chloe and Warren have both been through a lot and deserve unconditional love. I highly recommend reading Next of Kin.
If I Have to Be Haunted – Miranda Sun
I can’t imagine what it’s like to be able to speak to ghosts, but our main character Cara knows all about it. It’s not something she has embraced, because her mother doesn’t want her to. If it was up to her grandmother she would know a lot more. She goes on a grand adventure when her classmate and nemesis Zach dies and this adventure could save his life. There is a touch of romance, but I also enjoyed that Cara learns a lot about herself during this adventure. I’m not sure if this is supposed to be a standalone, because the author definitely leaves quite a few things open that could lead to future books.
My Favorite Kidnapper – Melanie Moreland
I have to say that the cover of this book is what drew me to it. Our main character has the dream of opening her own bakery, but life hasn’t been kind to her. Dante tastes her creations at his niece’s wedding and becomes obsessed. He kidnaps her to Italy, so she’ll bake him 60 cakes. This is a pretty weird synopsis, but it was a fun read. Brianna doesn’t believe she deserves much, but Dante changes her mind.
Perfect World Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 – Rie Aruga
Perfect World was advertised in the back of a volume of A Sign of Affection. I looked it up and it sounded like something I would love. Our main character runs into her high school crush and realizes he’s now in a wheelchair. She definitely judges this more than she though she would, but she also notices her feelings are still there. I loved the first volume and read the second right after that. Unfortunately, this one took a turn I wasn’t expecting and just got a bit too dramatic for me. I’m not a fan of love triangles at all. At the moment I’m still deciding if I want to continue this series or not.
Threads That Bind – Kika Hatzopoulou
Threads That Bind is a book that had me hooked from the start. The world, magic, and characters caught my attention and didn’t let me go. It’s a darker fantasy and reading only a few chapters a day (this was a buddy read) wasn’t always easy. The ending left me wanting more and I’m glad we’re getting the sequel later this year.
Check & Mate – Ali Hazelwood
I’ve loved Ali Hazelwood’s books and Check & Mate was the only one I needed to read to have read everything written by this author. This was marketed as YA, but it felt more NA to me honestly. Mallory and Nolan were both interesting characters and I loved watching them get to know each other. Check & Mate is more than just a romance though. It’s about family, grief, forgiving yourself, following your dreams, and communication. I only wish that we got Nolan’s POV.
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead – Elle Cosimano
I loved Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. It was really out there and ridiculous, but that’s what made it so much fun. This time around Finlay is trying to figure out who wants to murder her husband. Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead was another fun ride, but I do wonder how long I’ll enjoy this set up.
What I Like About You – Marisa Kanter
What I Like About You was on my TBR for years. I loved the synopsis of this one, because our main character is a book blogger and she stumbles into her online best friend. I flew through this book, but I didn’t like it as much as I hoped I would. The hiding who she was from Nash just went on way too long and it started annoying me.
The Crimson Moth – Kristen Ciccarelli
The Crimson Moth was such a pleasant surprise. I’m a fan of books with witches and I wasn’t expecting this one to go as it did. Rune and Gideon are both fighting for two different things, but clearly have a connection. There were quite a few reveals and twists I didn’t expect, the romance builds up slowly, and this story was an emotional roller coaster. I need the sequel now!
Bunny – Mona Awad
Bunny is a book I’ve seen everywhere and people seem to love it. I knew going into this book that it was going to be weird, but it became too weird for me. After 130 pages I just couldn’t read anymore and decided to DNF. I did read the last page after I decided that and after reading that I’m glad I decided to not continue this one. Bunny seems to be a book you love or you don’t.
Happily Never After – Lynn Painter
Lynn Painter is an auto-buy author for me and I love her YA and adult books. Happily Never After was an interesting one. Our main character Sophie used an objector to stand up at her wedding and has decided she doesn’t believe in love. This is challenged as she starts working as an objector with Max. There is chemistry and they become really close, but is it love? Once again Lynn Painter made me laugh and I read this book in just about one sitting. Out of all of her books it was my least favorite though.
Fish Out of Water – Katie Ruggle
Fish Out of Water was a fun grumpy/sunshine romance with a bit of a mystery. Our main character is determined to find her sister who has gone missing and convinces the local survival expert, Winston, to help her out. There are some funny moments, steamy moments, and even a few emotional ones. I ended up loving how protective our MMC was, but the whole situation with her sister did end up being a bit weird. I’m glad I picked this one up though.
Fake & Kate – Tate James
The Madison Kate series was my introduction into dark romance and as you could see in last month’s wrap up, I decided to do a reread. I’m so glad I did, because I ended up enjoying this story just as much, if not more than the first time around. This reminded me that I really need to catch up with Tate James’ backlist.
I Only Read Murder – Ian Ferguson & Will Ferguson
I Only Read Murder sounded like a cozy mystery I would really enjoy. The main character was a once famous TV sleuth and there was going to be a murder during an amateur theater production. I didn’t even get to the murder and decided to DNF this book before I even read 60 pages. The main character annoyed me from the start and I couldn’t continue with the book.
Hate Mail – Donna Marchetti
Hate Mail promised me something that I love in books: letters! Our main characters were pen pals in an elementary school program and kept in touch long after that. The weird thing was though that it was more hate mail, because the letters weren’t nice, haha. I loved the idea of this, but I have to say that this one was a bit too predictable. I also didn’t enjoy the fact that Naomi basically put herself in a love triangle. She was going after the neighbor she was attracted to, but also wanted to figure out what was going on with Luca. That’s not something I enjoy in books.
Annie Bot – Sierra Greer
Annie Bot is the story about a man and his robot where AI takes control. It was interesting to see how this robot starting thinking more and even feeling things during this story. There were some tense and interesting moments, but the ending was kind of underwhelming.
Meet the Benedettos – Katie Cotugno
Meet the Benedettos isn’t really a book I can tell you about, because after reading it I don’t really feel like much happened? Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t memorable for me.
First Down – Grace Reilly
First Down was a self published book that has now been picked up by a traditional publisher. James and Bex start fake dating while Bex tutors him. Of course, more starts to develop and I loved their romance. Both of them have some family “issues”, but deal with it as they go. Bex did annoy me at times, but all in all, I really enjoyed First Down.
The Boyfriend Subscription – Steven Salvatore
The Boyfriend Subscription is described as an LGBTQ Pretty Woman retelling and that’s a good description. I really enjoyed Teddy and Cole’s relationship. Yes, they start off pretending and Teddy is being paid to stick around, but quickly it becomes a lot more. Both of our characters were hurt in the past and start to heal with each other. My only issue with this book is that it went really quickly. I would’ve loved for it to have been just a little bit longer. Other than that I really enjoyed this story.
The Anti-Hero – Sara Cate
The Anti-Hero ended up being everything I was hoping to get when I read Priest. I loved how Adam and Sage couldn’t be more opposites than they were, but still had such an amazing connection. They seemed to be able to break down each other’s walls and give the other things they needed to feel safe and explore who they really were. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book of the series.
Runaway Love – Melanie Harlow
As a fan of small town romances, it was time for me to finally read Runaway Love. This is a single dad/nanny romance and it was one I really enjoyed. Austin and Veronica were a lot of fun. I loved that this book was lighthearted and emotional at the same time. I definitely recommend Runaway Love!
Belladonna – Adalyn Grace
Belladonna was a book I saw everywhere when it released and it was quite popular. This was dark and I loved the vibes of this book. Besides a mystery there is a bit of a romance with Death. Belladonna had me at the edge of my seat and that ending has me so excited to read Foxglove.
Love Contract – Sophie Lark
Sophie Lark is an author that’s becoming a favorite. Love Contract is a fake dating romance and that’s all I needed to know to read this one. Theo and Sullivan’s romance was great and I loved everything about this book. I’m really excited for the next book in this series.
Icebound – Meredith Trapp
As a sports romance fan, Icebound was a book I was looking forward to. I did enjoy this one to a point, but it felt repetitive after awhile. Nina and Rhodes were both interesting characters and trying to find their ways. I probably will read the next book in this series.
The Veiled Kingdom – Holly Renee
The Veiled Kingdom has been everywhere since it released in March and I was intrigued. This was a quick read. I read it in two sittings and it definitely kept my attention. The world and characters were really interesting, but it lacked depth for me. I felt like almost everything stayed really on the surface. They talk about magic, politics, and many other things, but nothing goes into detail. The romance was interesting, but it wasn’t enough for a five star read for me.
Lore of the Wilds – Analeigh Sbrana
Lore of the Wilds was an anticipated fantasy romance and a debut. This was a book I flew through and enjoyed the setting and characters. There were some pacing issues and I was left with a lot of questions. I do want to read the next book and see what happens to Lore.
Ready or Not – Cara Bastone
Ready Or Not is an accidental pregnancy/friends to lovers romance that I loved! Eve’s life is turned upside down after a one night stand. We follow her while pregnant and trying to figure out other aspects of her life. The romance was so sweet and I appreciated how the author wrote this story.
Faebound – Saara El-Arifi
Faebound is the start of a new series that had me hooked from the start. I loved the magic, characters, and world building (even though I want more in the next book). I also really appreciated the dual POV. There are some twists and turns I didn’t see coming and so much character growth. The romance wasn’t the most important aspect of the book and that was a nice change. I’ll be anxiously awaiting book two!
Isabelle
I had a great reading month! Thanks to audiobooks, rereads and manga I managed to read 20 books. Can you imagine?! I really hope I can keep this up <3.
Call Down the Hawk – Maggie Stiefvater
I finally picked this one up after coming across the audiobook. This one had been on my TBR for way too long, but I’m happy I’ve finally read it. It was really enjoyable and I plan on reading the rest of the series soon.
Haikyu 13 – 21- Haruichi Furudate
I adore this manga and I’m loving every single volume. All the matches in the series span multiple volumes and I just want to keep on reading and reading and reading.
Dial A for Aunties & Four Aunties and a Wedding – Jesse Q. Sutanto
This series has been one I wanted to read for so long now and I’m happy I’ve read the first two books. Book 3 releases later this year and I will for sure be reading that one as well.
Fire Falling & Earth’s End- Elise Kova
I’ve read the first book in the series years ago and I’ve got the audiobooks for the whole series recently. These are the second & third books in the series. I’m enjoying them but I can’t say I love them. There are two more books in the series and will finish it but I don’t think I’ll pick up the spin-off series. I will try another series by Elise Kova though! So if you have any recommendations, let me know ;).
All for the Game 1-3 – Nora Sakavic
This reread is where I really hit my strife in March. I listened to all three books in about 5 days and I honestly wanted to start the whole thing over as soon as I finished book 3. This series has become such a beloved one and is truly one of my comfort reads. I’m so happy I decided I was going to reread more books a couple of years ago, as I’ve now read this series 4 times. Funny thing, I’ve reread them in 2022, 2023 and now in 2024 and all rereads have been in February or March. I guess that’s when I really need my comfort reads ;).
Raised by Wolves 1-3 – Jennifer Lynn Barnes
This is a series I have wanted to reread for a while now and I finally did. I remembered loving this series and I always say it’s the best werewolves series out there. It was finally time to see if that still holds up. You can read my review of the series to see where I landed with that ;).
So that’s our March wrap up! Have you read any of these books? What books did you read in March? Find any new favorites? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.
