Author: Clara Hartley

After breaking up with her cheating boyfriend, Cara is whisked away to the Goddess Academy where she learns she is the daughter of Aphrodite and Ares, public enemies number one, thought to be dead but really trapped in another world. Cara's conniving parents may be stuck in this other world, but that doesn't stop them from plotting to continue the fight they fled, using Cara to wreak destruction on the the realm of the goddesses, but they don't anticipate the return of the old gods. This series had a really complicated plot line and some real doozies of characters. If you're a fan of mythology, I would say to give this series a chance.

Author: Eden O'Neill

December "Em" Lingquist moves across the country to live with her father after her sister, Paige, goes missing, convinced her mere presence will bring Paige home. But Paige isn't exactly who Em thought she was and she isn't coming home. Together with Paige's closest friends, the leaders of the Court, Em sets out to find out what happened to her sister, uncovering the truth behind the Court in the process. 

Author: Emilia Finn

This eight book series focuses on the men who make up the Checkmate Security team and the women who stand beside them: Kane and Jess, Angelo and Lane, Riley and Andi, Jay and Sophia, Eric and Katrina, Spencer and Abigail, and Gunner and Libby. This series is unique in that you can read certain ones as stand-alones or duets (book 1-2, book 3-4, book 5), but I'm telling you that you NEED to read them all. They're told from different perspectives, and books 3-4 technically happen in the same time as book 1-2, but you won't get the full picture unless you read all eight. You'll laugh and you'll cry (books 1, 2, and 6 especially got me) and fall in love with these men and women. Kane may be my new fictional boyfriend...

Author: David P. MacPherson

Orus is not your typical hero. Sure, he went to hero school, but his very first quest to save a virgin who'd been kidnapped by a sorcerer ended with said virgin pregnant. Now, Orus is just the palace gardener, but when a retired (really old) hero gets a request for help he cannot fulfill, he sends Orus in his stead. Heroes are supposed to kill dragons, right? Not in this story. Orus is tasked with delivering the last dragon egg to the hatching grounds whilst protecting it from all the other modern knights set on destroying it, thus restoring magic to the land. But Orus isn't your typical hero, remember? This adventure is full of bumps and lots of bumbling, and let's not forget the talking donkey. This book was funny and unexpected, and I really did enjoy it.

Author: Rebecca Rosenberg

Charmian London is the second wife of author Jack London (Call of the Wild) but their marriage isn't exactly happy. This is an imagined glimpse into their life after the couple has been married for nine years. Some other famous faces make appearances, but the third star of this tale is magician Harry Houdini. While this book focuses heavily on Jack and Charmian's relationship and their association with Houdini, the underlying theme is about Charmian's quest to become a published author and self-reliant woman. I found her to be flighty and pretty typical of the women of that time period, but I definitely was rooting for her throughout the book. The ending was pretty bittersweet and didn't offer much closure, to be honest. I ended up doing my own research to learn more about Charmian's life so I could have a clearer sense of her life after the book ends.

I wanted to mention these because I talked about both in previous posts.

The Rejected Writers Book Club - The blurb about this book had me intrigued. A small-town librarian is invited to a local book club made up of wannabe writers who celebrate their rejections. These rejects want Janet to help them plan a celebration of their rejections. I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't get into the writing style, and honestly wasn't drawn to Janet. I read about five chapters before calling it.

Empath Found series - I actually read the first book of this series, The Terrible Gift, in its entirety and read a few chapters of the second book. It's about a fae girl who's lived her entire life thinking she was human, but when Fi magically rejects the advances of would-be rapist, she's whisked into the land of the Fae where she learns her ability to feel emotions is thought to be extinct and extremely dangerous. The premise of the series was interesting, but I thought there was too much focus on the "mate" aspect instead of the "why is Fi in danger" aspect. I may come back to this series in the future, but for now it's a no-go.

I've spent a lot more time outside this summer than ever before. I don't know if it's because we have a nice covered back porch now or because we've been pretty much staying home since March. Probably both? Anyway, my husband recently bought one of those four-wheel side-by-side UTVs, so we've been taking "drives" around the neighborhood, and I recently bought myself a new really nice camera so it seemed a shame not to use it when we stopped at the water.

I ordered this dress back in June after seeing it on another blog (I can't remember which one at this point). Honestly, it took so long to get here I kind of forgot that I had ordered it, so it was a nice surprise when it showed up last Friday. And you know me, I had to wear it the next day.

I'm 5'2 and usually a size 6/8 or medium in dresses. The sizes on this break down into 4/6 (small) and 8/10 (medium), so I went with the medium. The smocked top was surprisingly loose in my opinion, so even though the medium fits, I think I would have been okay with the small. The tie straps make it pretty easy to control the length, not to mention being super cute. In addition to the smocked top and tie straps, there is a small ruffle around the top and a larger one at the bottom. The dress is not lined but isn't see-through, even in direct sunlight. The only thing that would make this dress better would be pockets.

Slide Sandals (similar)

We love Chinese food. Unfortunately, the best Chinese restaurant in the area is a 20 minute drive, and we're still not eating inside restaurants right now. The closest thing I've ever made to Chinese is beef and broccoli over white rice or those bags of stir fry vegetables you find in the frozen section, also over plain white rice. So when I came across this Terriyaki Chicken Casserole on Pinterest, I knew I had to try it.

This recipe made enough for six adults and one child, with no side dishes, and we still had leftovers. Other than my ridiculously picky uncle, it was a big hit. Everyone, except my uncle, had seconds, and we ended up reheating it for lunch a couple of days later.

Some notes: The recipe I followed called for two small chicken breasts, but I personally didn't think there was enough chicken in relation to the rice and veggies. It also called for one 12-ounce bag of stir fry veggies. We used two. I also replaced the minced garlic with minced onion because I read the recipe wrong, but it was still delicious.

After a few weeks recovering from surgery, I graduated from stretchy shorts to ones with actual buttons. This pair by Universal Thread are amazing. They're soft and stretchy, not stiff and super restrictive. You can't see from the angle, but they have a cute little cuff and mild distressing. This tshirt is super soft, too. It's a relaxed fit and can be easily tucked or half-tucked.

I talked about this graphic tee in a post a couple of weeks ago (see it here). It's soft and semi-fitted, hitting me right at my hips.

Anybody who knows me will know that I couldn't resist this shirt. It's soft, semi-fitted, and hits right at my hip bones. It comes in a few colors and fits true to size. I've had these shorts for several years so they're no longer available, but I did find a really similar pair that I linked to.

I talked about this pretty little daisy tshirt in another post already (read it here). This one fits a little boxier than my other graphic tees, so if you want a more fitted shirt order down a size.

I looked at this dress over and over again before I finally bit the bullet and ordered it. The halter straps are braided, which is a nice detail. It closes with a little button loop on the back of the neck. It's fitted at the waist but it's pretty stretchy. I can wear it with flats without the hem dragging the ground, so it's petite-friendly.

I absolutely love this cami. It's so interesting, from the chambray to the tie at the top. I predict I'll be wearing this a lot. My white shorts are no longer available unfortunately, but I linked to a comparable brand.

I've talked about this tshirt dress several times on the blog already. The reason I really shared this picture was for the knotted headband. My hair has been unruly lately (probably due to lack of product consistency and another overdue haircut), but it's too short for a ponytail and I get tired of the half-back style everyday. These cute headbands come in a pack of 10 and I've been wearing them multiple times a week.

There's just something so crisp about blue and white stripes. This top is tiered, adding to the visual interest. It has adjustable straps, but there is literally no stretch to this material at all. While my normal size medium fits me just fine, the top is a little snug and if it shrinks any, it'll be too small. So take that into consideration.

I shared this outfit in a post last week (see it here). Note: the shirt is a little lighter in person.

I've had this dress for so long, I can't remember where I got it. It's a great silhouette and gives me serious 90s vibes. I linked to a similar dress above.

I used to have a blue and white polka dot pencil skirt that I loved. I wore it all the time, mostly for work, but an unfortunate zipper incident ended its time in the limelight of my closet. That was several years ago, and I still haven't found a similar skirt to replace it with. However, earlier this summer I did come across this cute little black and white polka dot skater skirt.

It's super thin and has a half-stretchy waistband (elastic in the back but not the front). I wear it at my natural waist so the hem hits just above the knees on me. It's not lined and doesn't have pockets. This skirt has sold out, in all the different prints it comes in, a couple times since I ordered it, but it's currently in stock in a few sizes. I'm wearing my usual size medium.

There's just something so satisfying about pairing a feminine piece of clothing with edgier pieces, like combat boots. I'm also a fan of pairing graphic tees with printed bottoms, so this outfit is like the perfect combination of two of my favorite things.

Let's talk about the Nirvana tee. I picked this up from Target a few days ago after eyeing it practically all summer. It is so so so soft and slightly fitted. I'm wearing the size medium, which is my usual size in t-shirts. It's a little too fitted to do a proper knot so instead I gathered a small tail on the left side, secured it with a hair tie, and then tucked it under.

I finished this look with my tried-and-true combat boots because every other shoe I had that matched didn't go with Nirvana.

Okay, so this was a spur of the moment idea. I love the idea of doubled-up polka dots, but every other time I've tried to do it before this has been a disaster. So why does it work here? The patterns are mirror opposites of each other in color but spatially they're almost identical, making the differences between the top and bottom seem more intentional.

This shirt is one of my favorite purchases from Spring. It feels like a t-shirt but buttons up like a blouse, making it the perfect in between for dressing up or down depending on the occasion. I finished this outfit with a pair of simple black espadrille wedges that I got last year.

If you don't have a chambray shirt in your closet, you need to invest in one ASAP. I've had this one for years, and I wear it All. The. Time. It's the perfect finishing layer for casual outfits. I decided to tie the tails into a knot to give myself more of a waist, but you could definitely wear it fully open. (Pro tip: help your knot lie prettier by fastening the button directly above it)

With this outfit, I kept things simple with my plain white t-shirt but you can always work in a solid colored one for a little more interest. To keep with the casual vibe of this ensemble, I threw on my trusty white sneakers. This outfit is great for doing errands or watching the kids play ball.

I love graphic tees because you can literally wear them with anything, although it is tempting to keep things simple by pairing them with just jeans or denim shorts. I tend to stay away from band tees, mostly because it's hard to find ones for bands that I really like. Instead, I look for designs that match my personality, like this pretty flower one. We all know I love a good flower print.

I really like unusual pairings, especially the juxtaposition of a t-shirt with a more feminine bottom, and when I saw this flower tee online I knew it would be a perfect match for this gold-yellow checked skirt. I tried it a couple different ways - front tuck, full tuck - before settling on a trendy knot. I finished the look with my fave bright yellow wedges (I literally put them on just to take this picture) to pull the yellow from the flowers. I think this shirt will also pair well with my white shorts, white jeans, and white skirts (short and long), as well as black and maybe even camo print.

This tee is really soft and a nice thickness. The fit is slightly boxy, which works for my wider hips. I'm wearing my usual size medium. The neck and sleeves aren't tight and the length is just past my hip bones (I'm 5'2" with a really short torso). It's 100% cotton, and although I haven't done laundry since wearing it, I'll most likely keep it out of the dryer.

Author: E.M. Moore

Tess is the daughter of a former NBA player. When her parents get divorced, her father pulls his funding from her school, causing the school to dissolve the girls' basketball team. Tess has dreams of one day playing for the WNBA and convinces her mother to let her transfer to the local public school where she tries out and makes the boys team, which is the best in the state. I usually don't include books like these in my monthly reviews because they're quick and dirty reads to fill in the gaps between my more in-depth reading, but I liked the story of a girl proving she can make it in a boys' world. Warning, this is a contemporary romance where the main female character doesn't choose between love interests.

Author: D.D. Chance

You know I love strong female characters, and Maddigan Pierce definitely fits the bill. While working as a janitor at a prestigious university for mages, Maddigan solves puzzles left on the professors' white boards for kicks, never thinking she'll get caught, but one night it happens. Turns out Maddigan is a war mage, and she soon finds herself enrolled in the university and on a team competing in the dangerous Mage Trials where the stakes are much higher than just passing or failing. 

Author: G. Bailey

Kaitlyn Lightson has lived with ghosts her entire life, literally. When she and her best friend die in a car accident, they both learn they've been destined to become angels and must attend Angel Academy. Soon, Kaitlyn discovers her ghost-seeing ability didn't die with her and befriends a dead vampire who, unbeknownst to her, has a vendetta against angels. Soon, Kaitlyn learns her own heritage isn't as black-and-white as she believes and finds herself in the middle of a war between vampires and angels. This series has direct ties to the Lost Time Academy and Demon Academy series, which are part of the world I first lost myself in with Her Guardians.

Hidden Creek High & Bay Falls High series

Author: Jaxson Kidman

I'm lumping these all together because they exist in the same 'world' and there's a lot of overlap. Also, I mentioned them in my post about 30 books I want to read, so I felt obligated to include them here. I unknowingly entered this world in the middle of the timeline, but rest assured, the different series within can exist without the others. If I had to recommend one complete series out of the ones involved, it would be Hidden Creek. I found it to be the most cohesively written and enjoyed its writing style the most. However, my favorite character can be found in the first of the Bay Falls High series.

The Hidden Creek series begins with the story of Wes and Aira (books 1-4). Aira moves in with her aunt in Hidden after her home is burned down, while she and her mother were inside. She soon reconnects with Wes, her childhood neighbor, and they along with their friends find themselves in one situation after another. Books 5-8 are about Nova and Elijah and all the issues they have to overcome to be together. There are two books in the HC world I have not read yet and probably won't.

To be fair, I read the first three books of the Bay Falls High series last year. It starts with the story of Tinsley, who's taken in by her drug addicted mother's old school friend after her mother nearly dies from an overdose. Tinsley finds herself attending a quote-unquote rich school where she becomes involved with the Rulz (stupid name, I know) - Pres, Kip, and Barr. They go from enemies to friends and finally Pres and Tinsley become a couple. There are a lot of non-relationship issues in this first trio, mostly revolving around drugs. After UNTouched, UNLoved, and UNTamed, you'll want to read the follow-ups from the boys' points of views: Pres, Kip, and Barr (my fave).

Then you can move on to NOT SO Innocent, the story of Belle. It's really similar to Tinsley's story, except instead of a druggie for a mother, Belle's mom has a string of really bad relationships. Like Tinsley, Belle is taken in by an old friend of her mother's, but instead of attending Bay Falls High West, she goes to East, where she soon falls in with Ash, Hil, and Uly, otherwise known as Them (another stupid name, I know). Because they're told from first person POV, these three were a little harder for me to get through thanks to the way Belle thinks. As with BFH-West, there are three follow-up books from the boys' POVs: Uly, Hill, and Ash.

There are three more books in this world that focus on the other school that's involved, Brooks Crest. I haven't read them, and at the moment have no plans to.

Author: Crystal Kaswell

Kat is a struggling waitress trying to take care of her teenage sister in the wake of their parents' deaths when a chance encounter with a tech CEO leads to the deal of a lifetime. Blake will get Kat out of debt and ensure her and her sister's futures if she agrees to marry him. The contract is for one year of wedded bliss, and love is off the table. Kat accepts and tries her best to guard her heart, but we all know how this story goes. The general plot line was predictable, but the story was enjoyable and there were a few tear-jerker moments.

Author: Colleen Hoover

Let me just start by saying that this book deserves the hype it's gotten. A mother and her teenage daughter find their world in pieces when their husband and father is killed in a car accident, along with their sister/aunt. Grief, guilt, and anger, finds the two of them in vastly different places, unable to find common ground. Each finds new love in unexpected places and start to work toward being a family again. I was hooked from the first chapter, and the final scene was one of the best I have ever read.

Raleigh Rebels trilogy

Author: Callie Hart

This series deals with a lot of tough topics - rape and school shootings being the biggest two. The author handled both skillfully and weaved together a story that had me reading into the early morning hours. Silver is the school's pariah, accused of falsely accusing three of the most popular guys of drugging and raping her at a party. When no one believes her, she loses everything and does her best to be invisible within school halls. Alex is transferred to Silver's school after he's caught desecrating the grave of his former abusive foster parent. He and Silver soon become a couple, and he sets out to right the wrongs against her. Their story has so many ups and downs, and like I said earlier touches on many sensitive subjects, but man was it worth the ride.

Author: Kristen Banet

Sawyer Matthews is in hiding. After spending three years forced to be a madman's assassin, she died and has been keeping a low profile as a thief for hire ever since. When one of her jobs puts her back in her former boss's crosshairs, Sawyer decides it's time to retire for good and devote all her time to the gym she helps run for troubled kids in NYC, but her little run-in with Axel is caught on camera and a team of special agents brings her in to use in their endeavor to capture the world's foremost criminal mastermind, not knowing she is the assassin called Shadow. Of course, her secret doesn't stay secret for long, and Sawyer strikes a deal with the magical governing body to join the team and bring down Axel and work to atone for her past crimes.

Not only does this series have a strong, intelligent, fierce main female character, but the men she surrounds herself with are also wonderful. The author's character development is on point. Definitely read this if you're a fan of the Kit Davenport series.