Sea-ing is Believing! (Nothing to See Here Hotel #3) by Steven Butler

Sea-ing is Believing! (Nothing to See Here Hotel #3) - 4.25 Stars

Synopsis

Welcome to The Nothing to See Here Hotel! A hotel for magical creatures run by Frankie Banister and his parents.

Having dealt with a demanding goblin prince and a grumpy leprechaun, entertaining a family of yetis (during a summer snow storm) and keeping the hotel hidden from human eyes, the Banister family have had their work cut out. But in the hotel where weird is normal, you can guarantee that there'll be more trouble on the way!

Review

We return once again to the hotel and this time we get to go to spaces in the hotel, were we have not been before. Old and new characters make the hotel fun and enjoyable. This was a fun and very inventive way of bringing new aspects to an already loved and adored place full of fun and magical creatures. Once again I really highly recommend this wonderful series. Really recommend listening to the audiobook versions. 

You Ain't Seen Nothing Yeti! (Nothing to See Here Hotel #2) by Steven Butler

You Ain't Seen Nothing Yeti! (Nothing to See Here Hotel #2) - 4.25 Stars

Synopsis

'Welcome back to the Nothing to See Here hotel - where we have complimentary weirdness in every room and hilarity is available twenty four hours a day' Frank Cottrell Boyce The second book in this fabulously funny series by bestselling author Steven Butler and the wonderful Steven Lenton! Having just saved the hotel from a goblin prince, Frankie Banister and the guests are looking forward to enjoying themselves and celebrating the summer holiday of Trogmanay! But when a snow storm blows in (complete with Yeti family), and a number of mysterious guests arrive, something sinister seems to be taking over the hotel and celebrating is the last thing on anyone's mind... 

Review

Holiday fun with the Frankie, the Banister family and the other hotel guests. This time we are introduced to new and fun characters including my new favourite, a bad tempered leprechaun named Maudlin Maloney. Enemies old and new show up to dampen the holiday mood. I have been reading these books via audiobook and the narrated by the author. Highly recommend this wonderful series.

Maudlin Maloney

The Nothing to See Here Hotel (Nothing to See Here Hotel #1) by Steven Butler

The Nothing to See Here Hotel (Nothing to See Here Hotel #1) - 4.75 Stars

Synopsis

Welcome to The Nothing to See Here Hotel! A hotel for magical creatures, where weird is normal for Frankie Banister and his parents who run the hotel.

When a goblin messenger arrives at The Nothing to See Here Hotel, announcing the imminent arrival of the goblin prince Grogbah, Frankie and his family rush into action to get ready for their important guest. But it soon becomes obvious that the Banister family are going to  have their work cut out with the demanding prince and his never-ending entourage, especially when it turns out the rude little prince is hiding a secret...

Review

This was so funny, if you enjoy novels by Cressida Cowell and David Walliams then I highly recommend this book and series. The hotel is filled with fun and enjoyable characters and full of non-stop adventure. I loved the granny, she was one of favourite characters and the goblin prince is a huge brat. The artwork is inventive and fits perfectly with this book. Will be carrying on with book 2 soon.

Wicked Saints (Something Dark and Holy #1) by Emily A. Duncan

Wicked Saints (Something Dark and Holy #1) - 3.75 Stars

Synopsis

An instant New York Times bestseller!
A girl who can speak to gods must save her people without destroying herself.

A prince in danger must decide who to trust.

A boy with a monstrous secret waits in the wings.

Together, they must assassinate the king and stop the war.

In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, their three paths entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light. Wicked Saints is the thrilling start to Emily A. Duncan’s devastatingly Gothic Something Dark and Holy trilogy.

Review

This was an interesting story. This was an intriguing story that had many twists and turns. I will defiantly pick up book 2. 

Caraval (Caraval #1) by Stephanie Garber

Caraval - 4.25 Stars

Synopsis

Welcome to Caraval, where nothing is quite what it seems.

Scarlett and Tella have never left the tiny isle of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.

Caraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure.

When the sisters' long-awaited invitations finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show's mastermind organiser, Legend.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is an elaborate performance. But she quickly becomes entangled in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak.

And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever. 

Review

I am so happy I finally read this book. I enjoyed the writing style and I loved the romance in this book. Would highly recommend. Cannot wait to continue with this series.

Viking's Claim (Kilts & Kisses #4) by Madison Faye

Viking's Claim (Kilts & Kisses #4) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Never kiss the devil. Not even if he’s sinfully gorgeous. Or impossible to resist.
And certainly not when he’s got you tied and bound, and completely at his mercy.
…Uh oh.
I thought I had it bad when I was on my way to be married off to some weasley little lord to appease my family. But that’s before I’m taken by the most fearsome, vicious, alpha Viking to sail the seas. Tor Odinson is a beast of a man. A savage. A bloodthirsty warrior and ravager. Huge, growly, dominant…and completely and utterly beautiful. I’m supposed to fear him, not want him. I’m supposed to resist him, not crave him. …Yeah, whoops. Because once he throws me over his shoulder, and lays his hands on me, and ties me to bed, and makes me feel things I’ve never even dreamed of, I know “what I’m supposed to do” is the last thing I’ll be doing when it comes to Tor. I know it’s wrong to desire a man like him. But if this is a sin, I’m already damned. I fell for the devil, and now, I want it all.

Completely over the top, growly af, tropes for DAYS, and wildly historically inaccurate. As in, if you’re a history major, I’m so, so sorry. Warning: not responsible for lost or ripped bodices. Reader beware.

Review

Another great bodice ripper from the author and another great instalment in this series. I loved the aspect of Vikings in this one. I also enjoyed the introduction of other characters which I hope we will see more off in the future. As with all the other ones in the series, I would highly recommend. 

Wed To The Warrior (Kilts & Kisses #3) by Madison Faye

Wed To The Warrior (Kilts & Kisses #3) - 4.75 Stars

Synopsis

Other would-be suitors called me “challenging”.
But the most undeniable, sinfully gorgeous Highlander lord around calls me a challenge.
Oh and he calls me something else, too: his.

Marriage has never been in the plans for me. Not with my reputation for being “headstrong” and “disobedient”. That is, until Lord Callum Bruce barges into my world and scatters those plans all over the place. But Lord Bruce is a brute of a man. A battle-hardened soldier and fierce, dominant Highland lord. Well, that and completely beautiful, which is so very, very unfair. When he tells me I’m to be his wife, I flee. But there’s no running from the most dominant, gorgeous, sinfully tempting man I’ve ever met. Not after I’ve had a teasing taste of those perfect lips. Not when I’ve felt those rough hands on me. Not when deep down, I want him to chase me…Not when deep down, I want him to take all of me. The first kiss was a mistake. The second was stolen. But the ones after that, I’ve run out of excuses for. I’ve scared nine would-be-suitors away. But something tells me, number ten isn’t going anywhere.

Passionate about plaid? Step into something wild, filthy, and tropey as all get-out. Hot, alpha af, and WILDLY historically inaccurate. Warning: not responsible for lost or ripped bodices. Reader beware. 

Review

This one was a favourite by far. I loved the Alpha male Callum and his headstrong lover Cat. I loved their strong romance that has been building since book 1. This book did not disappoint this incredible sexy time story. I like all the other books in this series, I would highly recommend. 

Little Witch Academia, Vol. 1 (Little Witch Academia #1) by Yoh Yoshinari, Keisuke Sato (Visual Art), Trigger

Little Witch Academia, Vol. 1 - 3.25 Stars

Synopsis

"Reach out your hand, and your story will begin!" Those words changed young Atsuko "Akko" Kagari forever, sparking in her a lifelong dream of becoming a real witch. Now she's been accepted to the same school as her childhood hero, Shiny Chariot-the prestigious Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy. As the only student to come from a non-magical family, Akko finds herself surrounded by prodigies from around the world, but giving up isn't in her vocabulary. Whether it's making friends, proving the doubters wrong, or just flying on a broom, Akko is going to make her fantasy a reality!

Review

I did not know this was a manga series on Netflix first, otherwise I might have tried to watch that before jumping into the book. But the manga was cute and I may proceed to volume 2 in the future. But I will watch the show first.

Stolen By The Scottish Rogue (Kilts & Kisses #2) by Madison Faye

Stolen By The Scottish Rogue (Kilts & Kisses #2) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Honestly, it’s just common sense: don’t ever, for any reason, fall in love with a pirate.
No matter how tempting or toe-curlingly gorgeous he is.
And especially not when he steals you from your own wedding… 

One minute, I’m being married off to a horrible, cruel man to sweeten a family business arrangement. And the next? My wedding yacht is being stolen, with me on it, by the powerful, roguish Highlander, Lord Malcolm McAuley. Former pirate. Ex-soldier. Full-time scoundrel. He also happens to be toe-curlingly gorgeous, sinfully tempting, and utterly irresistible. I should want nothing to do with the crude, filthy-talking alpha who’s stolen me from my own damn wedding. But the more I tell myself no, the more I want to tell him yes—to anything he wants… Anything. Losing myself in those piercing blue eyes and wickedly perfect lips is dangerous. Giving in to his filthy words and pulse-quickening touch is a sin. He tells me I’m his, and the most sinful thing of all? …I’m pretty sure he’s right. 

Get tempted by tartan and jump right into filthy little fist-full of trope clichés. Hot, over-the-top, alpha af, and WILDLY historically inaccurate. Try not to get hung up on the historical details. Trust me, I didn’t ;). Warning: not responsible for lost or ripped bodices. Reader beware.

Review

This was just a sexy fun as the last one. A strong Alpha pirate and a fisty female its a firm yes, please from me.

Space Battle Lunchtime Vol. 2: A Recipe for Disaster (Space Battle Lunchtime #2) by Natalie Riess

Space Battle Lunchtime Vol. 2: A Recipe for Disaster - 4.5 Stars

Synopsis

It's almost time for the season finale of Space Battle Lunchtime, and finalist Peony (the only Earth contestant) is nowhere to be found! That's because she's been kidnapped and taken to the set of Space Battle Lunchtime's biggest rival, Cannibal Coliseum, where chefs compete to cook... each other. Up against some of the most dangerous aliens in the galaxy, will Peony even make it to the end of the show? Stay tuned!

Review

This was just as good if not better than volume 1. Just a great ending to this super cute, diverse and funny duology. The art style is just outstanding and done brilliantly. Would highly recommend this series. Will be on the lookout for more of the artist / creators creations in the future.

Space Battle Lunchtime Vol.1: Lights, Camera, Snacktion (Space Battle Lunchtime #1) by Natalie Riess

Space Battle Lunchtime Vol.1: Lights, Camera, Snacktion - 4.25 Stars

Synopsis

Collecting the first four issues of Natalie Riess's delectable series, SPACE BATTLE LUNCHTIME! Earth baker Peony gets the deal of a lifetime when she agrees to be a contestant on the Universe's hottest reality TV show, Space Battle Lunchtime! But that was before she knew that it shoots on location... on a spaceship... and her alien competitors don't play nice! Does Peony really have what it takes to be the best cook in the Galaxy? Tune in and find out!

Review

OMG this was so stinking cute. The Great British Bake-off in Space. That cliff hanger had me picking up volume 2 straight away. This was an absolute delight, would highly recommend this graphic novel.

O.W.L.s Update- How did I do? (Late update)

O.W.L.s Update- How did I do?

1. Ancient Runes - A Retelling - Completed with Pride by Ibi Zoboi
2. Arithmancy - Works Written by Two or More Authors - Obsidio by Ami Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
3. Astronomy - "Star" in the Title - Star Wars - Return of the Padawan by Jeffery Brown
4. Care of Magical Creatures - A book with a Land Animal on the Cover - The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason
5. Charms - To Read an Adult Book - Wrong to Need you by Alisha Rai
6. Defence Against the Dark Arts: Reducto - Read a book with "R" word in the title - The Russian by Renee Rose
7. Divination - Set in the Future - Spellslinger by Sebastien De Castell
8. Herbology - Plant on the Cover - I Love New York by Lindsey Kelk
9. History of Magic - Published a least over 10 Years Ago - Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
10. Muggle Studies - To Read a Contemporary - Losing the Field by Abbi Glines
11. Potions - Next Ingredient - Read a Sequel - Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
12. Transfiguration - Read a Red book or Book with Sprayed Edges - Simon vs the Homo-sapiens Agenda by Becki Albertali & Mary Poppin by P.L. Travers (Yes I read two books could not choose, so decided on both 😉)

So I there we are, I am so proud of myself, I completed all 12 of the O.W.L's (Not really surprised, I am one of the wise Ravenclaw's after all 😉. Now onto the N.E.W.T's and on my way to my Hogwarts Liberian Career.

The Russian by Renee Rose

The Russian - 3 Stars

Synopsis

MY PRISONER. MY OBSESSION. MY SUNSHINE. I can't stay away from her. I don't care if I get whacked by the mob. Or fired from the FBI.
There's no way I'm letting her get hurt. Hell, if any of them touch her, I'll blow my cover in a second. She's my solnishko. Her brother's a scumbag. He owes the don money.
The don sends me to collect my pound of flesh, but I want more than a pound.

Review

Over the top Alpha male and insta-love. But I don't mind it was a quick and fun sexy time read.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Reducto OWL.

Tamed By The Highlander (Kilts & Kisses #1) by Madison Faye

Tamed By The Highlander (Kilts & Kisses #1) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

The first rule when you’re arranged to marry a gorgeous, dominant Highland lord?
Don’t, under any circumstances, no matter how sinfully tempting he is, fall in love.
...Oops.

If I had it my way, I’d never get married. But then, it’s not up to me at all. Because the gruff, muscled, gorgeous and powerful Highlander Lord Hamish Ballentyne has decided to claim me as his bride.

I’m determined to resist him. He may be beautiful, and dangerously brooding, and carrying around the shadows of the wars he’s fought in. But I will not be some lord’s property, and I refuse to be “his”.

All the trope clichés. Lots of plaid. Wildly historically inaccurate. More alpha than you can shake a thistle at. Warning: not responsible for lost or ripped bodices. Reader beware.

Review

As with all these books by this author this was sexy time fun with, wild clichés and lots of fun. Highly recommend if looking for a fun sexy time novel, that does not take itself to seriously.

Losing the Field (The Field Party #4) by Abbi Glines

Losing the Field (The Field Party #4) - 3.5 Stars 

Synopsis

Tallulah Liddell had been defined by her appearance for as long as she could remember. Overweight and insecure, she preferred to fly under the radar, draw as little attention to herself so no one can hurt her. The only boy who did seem to ever notice her was her longtime crush, Nash Lee. But when he laughs at a joke aimed at Tallulah the summer before their senior year, Tallulah's love dissipates, and she becomes determined to lose weight, to no longer be an object of her classmates' - and especially Nash's - ridicule. Nash Lee has it all - he's the star running back of Lawton's football team, being scouted by division one colleges, and on track to have a carefree senior year. But when an accident leaves him with a permanent limp, all of Nash's present and future plans are destroyed, leaving him bitter, angry, and unrecognizable from the person he used to be. Facing a new school year with her new body, Tallulah is out to seek revenge on Nash's cruelty. All does not go according to plan, though, and Tallulah and Nash unexpectedly find themselves falling for each other. But with all the pain resting in each of their hearts, can their love survive?

Review

This was my least favourite of the books in this series so far. But I will be continuing on with book 5 when its released this year.

O.W.L.s Update -  This completed my Muggle Studies OWL.

Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins #1) by P. L. Travers

Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins #1) - 3 Stars

Synopsis

Discover the joy and wonder of Mary Poppins in the classic adventures!

The original best-loved classic about the world’s most famous nanny – Mary Poppins.

When the Banks family advertise for a nanny, Mary Poppins and her talking umbrella appear out of the sky, ready to take the children on extraordinary adventures.

Mary Poppins is strict but fair, and soon Michael and Jane are whisked off to a funfair inside a pavement picture and on many more outings with their wonderful new nanny!

Needless to say, when at last ‘the wind changes’ and she flies away, the children are devastated. But the magic of Mary Poppins will stay with the Banks family forever.

The original story of the world’s most famous nanny, Mary Poppins, is a timeless classic that has enchanted generations.

Review

This was my first time reading this classic tale. I have loved the original movie with Julie Andrews since I was young. So I went in hoping to love this classic unfortunately it was a miss for me. On this occasion I would say that the movie was better.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Transfiguration OWL (part 2). 

Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King #1) by Tricia Levenseller

Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King #1) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I've gotten what I came for.
Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map--the key to a legendary treasure trove--seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

In Daughter of the Pirate King, debut author Tricia Levenseller blends action, adventure, romance, and a little bit of magic into a thrilling YA pirate tale.

Review 

Pirates and Romance is a recipe for a great book and this certainly delivered everything that I could want or need.