Merry Christmas! The big thing I asked for this year was concert tickets (Green Day!!!)🎶, but I still got some books from my wishlist too: The Inheritance Games series and two Emily Henry books. 🥰 Now I just need to remember to read them amongst all the ARC books I keep requesting. 😉 Hope everyone has a great holiday season and fantastic 2024!
By Melissa de la Cruz
Releasing on March 5, 2024
First Impression: 
(5 / 5)
I had the opportunity to read the first 37 pages of The Encanto’s Daughter, which is scheduled to be released next March. I was initially drawn in by the beautiful cover and interesting description, but I’m even more interested in this book now that I’ve had the chance to read the first chapters. The action begins quickly, and then we are swept away into the fantasy world of Biringan. While MJ, the main character, is royalty from this world, she has been living as a normal person for as long as she can remember. This makes her very relatable, and readers can experience the newness of this world through her eyes. I would love to continue reading this book!
By Andrea Tang
First Impression: (5 / 5)
I had the opportunity to read the first few chapters of These Deadly Prophecies, which will be releasing in February 2024. A modern-day sorcerer has been murdered, and now his apprentice, Tabatha and youngest son, Callum are going to try to figure out who is responsible.
The premise of this book sounded interesting, and from what I’ve read so far, I think it’s a book I’d really enjoy reading. Written from Tabatha’s point of view, it almost feels like you’re a friend that she’s telling her story to. The sorcery and murder mystery aspects are interesting and make me want to keep reading. I want to find out who the murderer is!
By Ginny Myers Sain
Coming March 5, 2024
First impression: 
(4 / 5)
I was able to read the first few chapters of One Last Breath. From what I read, the book seems to flow well and holds a sense of mystery. The story follows Tru, who has tried to learn everything she can about 2 girls from her small town that were murdered 20 years ago. She seems to have some kind bond with one of the girls, so there’s a spooky feeling to the story. So far there’s a lot of questions and I’d love to see where this book leads. I’m interested to find out about this double murder and also about what happened to Tru’s sister, Dani.
By Krystal Sutherland
Coming soon on January 30, 2024
First impression: (5 / 5)
I had the opportunity to read the first few chapters of The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland. From the first page of the Prologue I could tell I was going to really like this author’s style of writing, with beautifully detailed descriptions and an air of mystery. The book follows 3 young women, each who has a connection or interest in magic for their own reasons. Each of these characters seems to be in some sort of trouble, so I feel like it’s too soon to tell how much I’ll like these characters. Either way, it seems like some big things will be happening, and I’m interested to see where this story is heading.
By Susan Lee
Coming soon on September 12, 2023
First Impression: (5 / 5)
I had the opportunity to read the first few chapters of Susan Lee’s upcoming book, The Name Drop.
From what I’ve read so far, I think this is a book I would enjoy reading. The 2 main characters are very different from each other, but they also each have a realness to them that I like. So far the book flows well and felt like something I could easily get lost in for hours. I was honestly sad for the First Look to end – I would love to continue reading this story!
By Kate Pearsall
Coming soon on October 10, 2023
First Impression: (4 / 5)
I was able to read the first few chapters of the upcoming book, Bittersweet in the Hollow. I was sad to come to the end of the first look, because I would love to continue reading this book. It has a small-town fantasy feel, but it takes place in present-time so it feels very much like it could be taking place in the real modern world. There’s a distinct feel of mystery and unease that made me want to keep reading, with legends of a Moth Man and a child who mysteriously disappeared years ago.
So far I like the main character, Linden – she feels relatable, and her special ability to taste others’ feelings is portrayed well. She is experiencing amnesia about events that happened a year ago, and the flashes of memories she has already have me building my own theories as to what might have happened.
The writing of the book flows well and kept me engaged and interested in the story. I was able to breeze from page to page, not wanting to put it down until I reached as far as I could go. From what I’ve read so far, this book shows great potential, and I look forward to reading the complete story! I’ve already applied to be an advance reader through NetGalley, so fingers crossed that I get approved!
By Kayvion Lewis
Coming Soon on September 26, 2023
First Impression (5 / 5)
I had the opportunity to read a sneak peek (the first 7 chapters) of Thieves’ Gambit, and this is definitely a book I’d like to continue reading!
This book pulled me in from the first chapter, which drops us straight into a heist. I never expected to like a character that’s a thief, but Ross, the protagonist, feels relatable and I really like her so far. This book looks like it will be filled with action and thrills. From what I’ve read so far, this definitely seems like a book I’ll really enjoy.
I haven’t been reading much amidst the craziness of the holidays, but I’m hoping to dive back in soon. As always, I have lots of books on my wishlist so I got a new batch for Christmas. 😍🥰
Have you read any of these books? If so, let me know what you thought about them. What books did you get for the holidays?
Hi, I’m Danita
mother, reader, reviewer, geocacher, hiker, crafter, LGBTQ+ ally
