ARC Review – Cupid’s Match by Lauren Palphreyman

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Hello lovelies! Today, I have my review for Cupid’s Match by Lauren Palphreyman. Adored by 50 million readers on Wattpad, this hilarious smash-hit book is now in print for the first time.

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abouthebook2

Publisher: Wattpad Books

Expected Publication: October 1, 2019

Genre(s): Young Adult, Fantasy, Mythology, Romance

Format:  Paperback, 384 pages

purchaselinks

AMAZONBARNES AND NOBLEINDIEBOUND

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He’s mythologically hot, a little bit wicked, and almost 100% immortal. And he’ll hit you right in the heart . . .

“Miss Black, we have a big problem.”

Lila Black doesn’t believe in matchmaking, let alone soul mates. So then why is she constantly being hassled by the Cupids Matchmaking Service? But this gilded, cherub-bedecked dating agency isn’t exactly what it seems . . . and it’s about to turn Lila’s entire world upside down.

It turns out that Cupids Matchmaking is the real deal. As in, it’s run by actual cupids—who don’t look at all like they do in the paintings—and they have a serious problem with Lila’s “match.” Because this guy shouldn’t be in the system. He shouldn’t have a match. And while he’s irresistibly hot, he’s also incredibly dangerous. Because Lila’s true love match is Cupid. The original bad boy of love. And he wants her.

Now Lila’s once-normal teenaged world has exploded into a mythological nightmare overrun by crime-lord sirens, wrathful cupid hit men, magic arrows that cause no end of trouble, and a mischievous, not-so-angelic love god she can’t seem to stop herself from falling for . . .

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mythoughts

Hilarious, Charming, and Surprisingly Delightful

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Rating – 3.5 hearts rounded to 4

Cupid’s Match by Lauren Palphreyman is a charming, humorous, and entertaining romance fantasy with a fun mythological twist. I found myself laughing a few times, swooning a bit here and there, and just having a really good time. Definitely a quick and amusing tale that enamored me until the end.

The idea of actual cupids running a Matchmaking service hidden in the real world is really intriguing. I knew there’ll be plenty of silliness and humor in the story and I couldn’t wait. While I didn’t completely love this book, I do have to admit… it’s absolutely a unique, quirky and fun read. The pacing is fast and feels rushed from time to time, but it wasn’t bothersome. I thought the writing is easy to follow and engaging. The plot is a bit outrageous and a little predictable, but there’s a few surprises that made the story really enjoyable. I don’t fully understand how the magical system really works, but the world-building is quite fascinating and the mythology aspect is creative and interesting enough. The narrative does get a bit absurd once in a while, the dialogue is sometimes chessy and awkward, the characters are kind of a mess, and the ending seems too convenient. So yes, the execution isn’t always perfect and there are some parts of the storyline that are confusing, but if you allow yourself to just relax, not overanalyze everything, and really enjoy the story for what it is, then you’ll have an awesome time just like I did.

I didn’t feel a deep connection with any of the characters, but I thought they’re all quite adorable and such a fun group. Lila is not always likeable, but she’s interesting and I enjoyed her personality. Cupid is the typical “bad boy” love interest and he definitely charmed me. I don’t think I’m head over heels in love with him, but he’s funny, magnetic, and swoony. Cal is serious, strict, and stony for the most part, but there’s something alluring about him. I was actually more drawn to him than Cupid and I wanted to knock down his walls in order to get to know the real Cal who I think is really sweet, caring, and fun. I like the secondary characters and I thought it was cool how all the cupids have names that begins with the letter “C.” The other mythological creatures are nicely introduced and I’m excited to learn more about them in the other books.

I do like the romance. It is a bit cringy at times and there’s definitely an insta-love/soulmate thing going on between Lila and Cupid, but I enjoyed their chemistry. They made me swoon here and there and I do think they’re cute together. I’m not so sure about the love triangle though and I’m kind of confused as to why it’s even there. I just don’t really like love triangles cause I have to choose one love interest to root for and sometimes, I really do like both while other times I’m in love with the one that doesn’t get the girl/boy.

Hilarious, charming, and surprisingly delightful, Cupid’s Match by Lauren Palphreyman is a wonderfully fun fantasy romance that I’m sure will keep readers amused. While this didn’t hit me in the heart with all the feels, I definitely enjoyed the action, the drama, the bantering, the mystery, the intriguing characters, and the over-the-top, but sweet romance. Overall, this is a satisfyingly entertaining book that left me smiling in the end.

If you’re looking for some silly fun, a few good laughs, and a story that will lighten your mood, then this book might just be for you.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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abouttheauthor

Bio taken from Author’s Website and Photo from Facebook

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LAUREN PALPHREYMAN is an author based in London.

She is best known for her supernatural teen romance series, Cupid’s Match, which has accumulated over 40 million reads online, has been developed into a pilot episode for CW Seed, and will be published by Wattpad Books (October 2019).

She is part of Wattpad’s social influencer programme, the Wattpad Stars, where she has written for brand campaigns, spoken on a panel at London Wattcon, and completed a chapter for Writer’s Digest’s ‘Writer’s Guide to Wattpad’. Her standalone fantasy romances, Thorn, and Ink, have both accumulated over half a million reads online to date.

Lauren previously worked as an insight analyst for Penguin Random House. Now she spends her days writing, drinking coffee, and deviously plotting for cupid world domination! As a huge fan of Marvel and big blockbuster franchises, her life’s ambition is to create a fictional, multimedia universe for fans to enjoy and explore.

authorlinks

WEBSITEGOODREADSFACEBOOK –  TWITTERINSTAGRAM

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Thanks for stopping by loves. As always, happy reading and have a fantastic day!!

 

sincerelykjologo

Blog Tour Review – Bursts of Fire by Susan Frost

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Hello sweeties and Welcome to my Blog Tour Stop for Bursts of Fire by Susan Forest. This book tour is hosted by TLC Book Tours and today I have my review to share with you. Hope you enjoy reading and add this fun fantasy novel to your TBR.

Bursts of Fire begins an epic political fantasy of revenge, addictions, and redemption. In an empire where magic has become suspect, love and loyalty–for one’s lover, one’s family, one’s country–are tested. If Heaven desires the very earth be burned, what place can those below hope for, when the flames come for them?

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abouthebook2

Published: August 6th 2019

Publisher: Laksa Media Groups Inc.

Genre(s): Young Adult, Fantasy

Format: Paperback, 394 pages

purchaselinks

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

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To survive. To fight. To restore balance.

The Falkyn sisters bear a burden and a legacy. Their mother, the imperial magiel of the kingdom of Orumon, protects her people from the horrors of the afterlife by calling upon the Gods with a precious Prayer Stone. But war among the kingdoms has brought fire and destruction to their sheltered world. When a mad king’s desire to destroy the Prayer Stones shatters their family, the three girls are scattered to the wilderness, relying on their wits and powers they don’t yet master.

Assassin. Battle tactician. Magic wielder. Driven by different ambitions, Meg, Janat, and Rennika are destined to become all these and more. To reclaim their birth right, they must overcome doubtful loyalties within a rising rebellion; more, they must challenge a dogma-driven chancellor’s influence on the prince raised to inherit his father’s war: a prince struggling to unravel the mystery of his brother’s addiction to Heaven.

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mythoughts

A Unique and Imaginative Fantasy Story 

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Actual rating 3.75 rounded to 4

Unique and imaginative, Bursts of Fire by Susan Forest is an entertaining and riveting fantasy story.

This book is an interesting and fun read, but I did struggle with it in the beginning. That being said, once the story picks up, I found myself really intrigued by story and the characters. Meg, Janat, and Rennika are complex and fantastic heroines and I enjoyed seeing them grow and mature in their own ways. The world building is magnificent and so mesmeric. I love the different kingdoms, the magical aspects, the political parts, and everything else in between. The plot is slow at times, but still entertaining and engaging enough to keep me reading until the end. While there are certain aspects of this book that definitely could have been explained better or improved, I think Forest created a wonderful fantasy story that will have readers racing to the end to find out if the sisters can restore peace and balance to their world.

The characters are far from perfect, but they’re quite fascinating, likeable and realistic. Even though I never fully connected with the sisters, I enjoyed getting to know them and seeing each of them work through their own issues and problems. They definitely have some sibling rivalry and jealousy, but I love the bond the sisters share and how they come together to be there for each other.

Susan Forest has created a captivating fantasy adventure that burns into something quite amazing. This book is a story about power, loss, heartbreak, religious beliefs, loyalty, forgiveness, love and so much more. Even though not everything worked out for me, I enjoyed the majority of this novel and I think Forest’s imaginative storytelling is worth the read. I also love the emotional depth and how Forest tackles sensitive real life problems and issues. Bursts of Fire definitely has enough intrigue, action, and thrill that will appeal to plenty of readers and I’m excited to see what happens next.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author and publisher via Netgalley for participating in a Blog Tour hosted by TLC Book Tours and in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Instagram

Sunday, August 18th: @tlcbooktours – giveaway

Monday, August 19th: @novelgrounds

Monday, August 19th: @_ebl_inc_

Tuesday, August 20th: @bookishwinterwitch

Tuesday, August 20th: @hollieohs_bookreviews

Wednesday, August 21st: @thepagesinbetween

Thursday, August 22nd: @thewickedreader

Saturday, August 24th: @lovelyreadergirl

Sunday, August 25th: @bookclubwithbite

Monday, September 9th: @beritaudiokilledthebookmark

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Review Tour

Monday, August 19th: Ms. Nose in a Book

Wednesday, August 21st: What is That Book About – excerpt

Thursday, August 22nd: Reading Reality

Friday, August 23rd: Treestand Book Reviews

Monday, August 26th: @amanda.the.bookish and Amanda Bradburn

Tuesday, August 27th: Lori’s Reading Corner – author guest post

Tuesday, August 27th: A Dream Within a Dream

Wednesday, August 28th: @thebibliolife

Thursday, August 29th: @megabunnyreads

Monday, September 2nd: The Lit Bitch – excerpt

Tuesday, September 3rd: @onsamsbookshelf

Wednesday, September 4th: Cheryl’s Book Nook and @beastreader

Thursday, September 5th: Book by Book

Monday, September 9th: @bookishly_tiff

Tuesday, September 10th: Sincerely Karen Jo

Wednesday, September 11th @iam.caryn

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abouttheauthor

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Susan Forest is an award-winning author and editor of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. She has published over 25 short stories in Canadian and international publications. Bursts of Fire, the first in her seven-book series Addicted to Heaven, is not only a tale of rollicking adventure, but also an opportunity-one she appreciates-for an examination of the complex world of addictions. Susan loves to travel and has been known to dictate novels from the back of her husband’s motorcycle.

 

 

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authorlinks

Website (Author) | Website (Series)

GOODREADSTWITTERFACEBOOKINSTAGRAM 

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Thanks for stopping by and reading. Don’t forget to follow the rest of the tour.

sincerelykjologo