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Lakin Wilton-Gray

@lakinloveslit

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Book lover since way back 📚
🇳🇿♍️
🤓 2026 GR Goal: 190/250

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September Reading Wrap Up 📚

September was the month of the SJM obsession continuation - I’m only slightly ticked that I didn’t manage to finish the third CC before the end 😂 safe to say I’m completely enraptured by the Maasverse and am counting down to the end of October! My non-SJM books were fabulous as well though! I feel like you’re going to be seeing a looooot of fantasy/romantasy from me in the next few months…Fourth Wing is up next! I have no idea why I never kept reading after how much I adored the first one but at least now I’ve got 3 to get stuck into haha.

Please let me know what your fave book of September was!!! 🙏❤️

#septemberreads #readingwrapup #readingjournal #bookstagram #bookjournal by @lakinloveslit

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10

17 days ago

AUGUST READING WRAP UP 📚

Well it’s safe to say I am officially in my SJM era and I don’t plan on being out of it any time soon 🤣 ACOTAR completely took over my life, and now TOG is - I cannot believe I waited so long to read these, and I definitely think I’m going to be on a romantasy/fantasy binge for a while!!! Reviews still to come for the other TOG books I’ve read so far (I’m very behind lol).

This month I read 19 books, DNF’d two and rated six 5 stars (all SJM LOL). My DNFs were Lit by Anna Woods and Friends to Lovers by Sally Blakely. ACOMAF took the top spot this month if I had to pick one though - I don’t remember the last time I kicked my feet so much reading a book hahaha.

Would love to know what your fave and least fave read of August way, and if there’s anything you’re hanging out for in September! 😍

#readingwrapup #augustreads #readingjournal #bookjournal #bookstagram by @lakinloveslit

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8

2 months ago

JULY READING WRAP UP 📚

July was another smaller month for me with 17 books read. I am ridiculously pleased to report though I only had 3 library books this month, which is the least amount so far this year!!! Now to try and read 100 books a month to keep up with how many I buy 😂😂😂 my fave book this month was Quite the Pair, but I also gave 5 stars to Every Lake and Abby Offsides. Have really been feeling thrillers and crime again lately - love me a grim story to match the grim weather haha. Would love to know your fave and least fave book of July!

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readingjournal #julyreadingwrapup #julyreads by @lakinloveslit

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18

2 months ago

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Okay well I liked this more than Iron Flame, but tbh the series is kinda disappointing me because nothing is hitting like FW did lol. I’ll skip the synopsis (I find it so hard to write one for books in a series!!) and tell you my thoughts.

I really enjoyed seeing the ‘Quest Squad’ (I actually love Ridoc) travel to the isles and see different lands and people! God my heard was breaking for Andarna though when they found the other irids, and then later when she broke the bond and left?! HELL NO 😂 have to say though I’m befuddled by the fact she came back at the end and could speak to Violet again? What’s that about hahaha. Sooo happy to see Sawyer back riding again! Weirdly the spicy scenes had me rolling my eyes in this - idk if I’m just over the same shit happening with Vi and Xaden or what - he wasn’t giving big daddy energy in this for me and I honestly didn’t really care about their relationship LOL. I was more invested in the dragons (really just Andarna). I still feel like I don’t know anything about Brennan and it’s annoying me! I’m intrigued by the fact the Dunne priestesses have the same hair as Violet though and how Aaric seems to know something about Violet that she doesn’t know (though I think that was kind of alluded to near the end with his signet?). Also with the Venin, surely Xaden for example could be a good venin? Like if they aren’t power hungry wouldn’t wielding magic from the earth be ok? Idk haha. Don’t really know what else to say to be honest…like I’ve enjoyed these, but I don’t feel the need to have the next one in my hands ASAP ya know? Still going to read Threshing Day next though - never thought I’d be so excited to read short stories but I’m hoping it’ll give me some insight into the characters and make me feel more attached. Am I the only one who feels let down after Fourth Wing being so amazing?! Kinda scared SJM has just ruined all other fantasy for me hahahaha.

#onyxstorm #rebeccayarros #theempyrean #bookreview #bookstagram by @lakinloveslit

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5

a day ago

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Why I left it so long to read this after loving Fourth Wing in 2023(!!) no one knows 🤣 I have to admit though, this just didn’t hit the same and I don’t know if it’s coz it’s been so long since FW, or if this actually just wasn’t the best lol. I mean it still gets 4 stars coz it definitely was more than just ok for me, but I didn’t love it ya know?

I feel like there were a lot of words and yet I didn’t really learn much at all…I didn’t have the same obsession to keep turning the pages as I did with FW, and I honestly don’t know if I could tell you what happened hahaha. I was so excited to learn more about Brennan, and I still feel like I don’t know him at all - he’s just there. I was frustrated with Violet’s feelings towards Xaden - like I get it, but also there were good reasons for him not telling you things!!! I missed Andarna while she was sleeping, though Tairn’s snarky commentary was fab (I love him hahaha). Varrish was a fucking tool - I hope you don’t RIP fuckface 😂 I was pleased to see Mama Sorrengail actually do something maternal for once. I’m kinda struggling to think of what else to say TBH…I just kinda feel like everyone felt one dimensional!! The ending was exciting I guess, but even that didn’t make me feel like I needed to pick up Onyx Storm immediately (though I am currently reading it lol). Anywho, thanks for reading my rambling thoughts - I’d love to know your opinions on this one and whether the series picks up again in book 3.

#ironflame #empyreanseries #bookreview #fantasybooks #bookstagram by @lakinloveslit

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2

3 days ago

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Freida McFadden is my go to author when I’m feeling slumpy (and after SJM I’ve been STRUGGLING) and this was such a good read!!! This was one of my purchases for bookshop day on Saturday, and it is truly unheard of for me to read a book so soon after buying it lol.

Julia has arrived at Pemberton House to look after her ageing Gram. She’s also just lost her job so the timing couldn’t be better. Julia hasn’t been to Pemberton since she turned 18 though after a paranormal experience freaked her out as a kid. It seems as though something is still hanging around Pemberton though, and Julia’s great aunt Ethel tells her it’s just Caroline, who was executed for witchcraft in 1692. Caroline seems angry though, and Julia is spooked but determined to figure out what’s going on. She ends up befriending Henry, who is a curator at the local museum and wants to buy Pemberton to keep it as a historical house, and she also enlists a ghost hunter. But as she learns more, she realises she may have more to fear from those who are still living, rather than those who are dead.

I love anything witchcraft related! One of my favourite things to study during History at Uni was witch trials - they never fail to enrage me (coz you’re telling me you’re going to kill me coz someone made up a ridiculous story about me consorting with the devil?!) 😂 it’s actually so sad though that so many women back in the day were killed over nothing. We hear from Caroline’s POV in the 1600s and well as reading from Julia’s POV now. I loved Caroline’s chapters! Her maid Molly deserved a punch in the face though tbh. Julia was also one of Freida’s less dumb protagonists so I didn’t find myself getting frustrated by her. Henry was kinda weird though and I still don’t know how I feel about him haha. As is typical Freida there’s a twist - it’s not as shocking as some of her others but it was definitely interesting! This is defs a Freida book I would recommended, and it’s perfect for spooky season!

#thewitch #freidamcfadden #spookyreads #bookreview #bookstagram by @lakinloveslit

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9

7 days ago

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Well that was a quick and easy read for a Sunday afternoon! Cannot believe I’ve had this since 2019 and have only just read it 😅 feel like if I’d read it back then I would’ve said it was the best book out but my tastes have changed a bit over the years and I no longer froth CoHo as my younger self did lol.

I don’t really think this book needs an introduction - especially now it’s everywhere again with the movie being out! I’m glad I’ve read it, but it was just ok for me. It was fast paced, which was great, and the twist was pretty good, but tbh I wasn’t shocked by it (probably because I knew there was a twist coming and I’d been guessing as to what it was the whole way through). I actually wanted to take Verity out myself with some of those autobiography excerpts 🤮I think I just don’t particularly like thrillers with romance aspects in them (especially where there’s spice) - I want action (not of the sexy kind 😂). I do feel like the movie would be great though so I’ll have to watch that at some stage.

#verity #colleenhoover #bookreview #justread #bookstagram by @lakinloveslit

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13

8 days ago

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book had such an interesting premise. In London 1865, Minnie takes a job working at Culpepper House as a maid for twins Edmund and Edith. They’re an unorthodox family; Edmund is a man of medicine and science, and Edith has a flair for photography, namely taking death portraits. Minnie feels like there’s something off about the house, but she needs the work. In the present day, Hadley is an artist who is inspired by an album she’s been handed down filled with Victorian death photographs. She doesn’t know its history, until she meets Kit Culpepper and discovers the lengths he’ll go to to keep the album private.

I find the Victorian obsession with the macabre so interesting, and so at odds with how we see death today. This is told through the POVs of Minnie in 1865 and Hadley today. They are connected through the album and it is a sort of muse for Hadley’s art. I absolutely loved the historical chapters from Minnie’s POV. I couldn’t figure out if something sinister was going on in Culpepper House so it kept me guessing. Hadley I didn’t gel with though. I didn’t like her and so her chapters kind of drew me away from the story a little bit. Don’t get me wrong, I still really enjoyed the book overall, but I would’ve loved it even more if it had more of the historical chapters. The real story behind the photographs was wonderful to learn about, and it was interesting to see how even over 100 years later they were still making an impact. If you’re a fan of Victorian history and/or art then definitely give this a go!

Thanks to @bookheronz for sending me a copy to review 🫶

#allherbeautifuldeaths #arushby #justread #bookreview #bookstagram by @lakinloveslit

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1

12 days ago

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

And with that, my SJM reading comes to an end 🥺 I started reading the Maasverse on the 7th of August, and I’m pretty proud of myself for reading them all this fast lol. Out of them all, this series is my least favourite, but I still absolutely loved it and I can’t wait to see what’s next! My thoughts (beware spoilers):

The ACOTAR crossover was EVERYTHING! Those fucking wyrms though Jesus Christ don’t ever let me see one of those fuckers 🤣 Lidia is a certified badass - love her SO MUCH and the fact she’s clearly descended from Aelin omggggg. I loved getting the background on Bryce’s lineage through Silene and seeing her step into her power. I feel so sad for Hunt, I feel like the fact even he was struggling after the dungeons says it all. Baxian eating Ruhn’s hand though fuck me that was a LOT. Pollux is a fucking piece of shit and I was CHEERING when Lidia turned him to ash. I could’ve done without Tharion and Ithan’s pity parties but I still enjoyed their POVs. I need to know more about Sathia though! Even though I gave this 5 stars (couldn’t put it down tbh) there were things that annoyed me. I found Bryce to be immature and annoying at times, like her comebacks just felt bratty and it pissed me off haha. I didn’t need to know Hunt was going commando coz his dick was apparently too big for any underwear 🙄 and I will never understand how everyone just wants to fuck when it’s a matter of life and death LOL. The end chapters of SJM’s books usually have me on the edge of my seat feeling like I’m gonna have a heart attack but this didn’t do that for me, which was actually kinda nice haha. I also have a soft spot for those damn Princes of Hel - especially Aidas 🫶 sad that I’ll now be one of the readers who has to wait for new books instead of having a pile to binge hahaha.

#crescentcity #houseofflameandshadow #sarahjmaas #bookreview #bookstagram by @lakinloveslit

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9

16 days ago

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ok now THIS is what I’m talking about!!!! So fucking glad I pushed through book 1 because I read this in a day - I was completely hooked!!! My thoughts (beware spoilers!):

I am LOVING all the different POVs - it’s giving TOG in the best way! Bryce was more fun and less irritating in this one - I feel like she grew up a little bit. I really like Tharion and I adore Ithan - yay for the little fire sprites being freeeee! Feel like the dragon could’ve been more appreciative though TBH 😂 pissed that Tharion made a deal with the Viper Queen though…suuuurely he can get out of that. Flynn and Declan crack me up, but they come through when it’s needed. So many hidden secrets coming to light now and they’re oh so juicy!!! Honestly FUCK the Asteri though - Bryce better fuck them up I tell you. One thing I love about all of SJMs books is the found family aspect - we love an accepting group! The fucking ending of this had me gaping like a GODDAMN FISH - “Hello Bryce Quinlan” BYEEEEEEEE. I am straight into book 3 - absolutely invested now!

#sarahjmaas #crescentcity #houseofskyandbreath #bookreview #bookstagram by @lakinloveslit

41

7

20 days ago

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m not gonna lie, if this was the first SJM book I’d read I would’ve DNF’d it and written her off as being not for me 😅 Funnily enough this was actually the first SJM book I ever purchased - core memory of buying it the night before the OG lockdown started thinking I was gonna use that time to get into fantasy but alas here we are all these years later and finally picking it up lol. I STRUGGLED to get into this, but by the end I was invested. Truly struggled trying to read the small paperbacks of these though - I felt like an old woman hahahaha, thank god past me hoarded this. Here’s my thoughts (beware spoilers):

Bryce is my least favourite FMC of them all TBH. I don’t dislike her per se, but I don’t particularly care for her either. I love Hunt though, and Ruhn grew on me. Not me starting this thinking Danika was gonna be a fave main character tho💀 I absolutely ADORED Lehabah - how fucking dare she die on me!!!!! I’m very intrigued by Jesiba - I hope we get more of her moving forward (like what even is she?!). The Asteri can actually all fuck off and die and the Autumn King can join them. Syrinx is cute too! My thoughts are a bit jumbled with this coz it really did take me a loooong time to get into it - I don’t think I’ve read an urban fantasy before and the world building did my head in a bit 😅 I’m so used to fantasy feeling a bit historical it threw me off hahaha. Intrigued to see where this series goes though, and can’t wait for the ACOTAR crossover in book 3!

#sarahjmaas #houseofearthandblood #crescentcity #bookreview #bookstagram by @lakinloveslit

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25

21 days ago

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was gentle story that reeled me in and was the perfect read for a lazy weekend afternoon.

Zoe is trying to move forward after the loss of her best friend and it’s hard. When she meets colleague Cian, who is working from home recovering after a climbing accident, they strike up an unexpected friendship. As they spend the summer hanging out, their connection deepens, but Zoe is afraid of losing someone she cares about again, and Cian feels restless after the end of a long term relationship.

This is told from Zoe’s POV, and I thought her journey after loss was so well done. Yes, there were things that frustrated me, but life is messy and moving on from loss is never straight forward or linear. It was a joy to see her relationship with Cian flourish, and their banter was great. I also loved her flamboyant mum and Cian’s dad - they brought the laughs! This is a story about finding connection in unlikely places, rebuilding when your life changes, and has an overall feeling of hope. I thoroughly enjoyed this!

Thanks to @bookheronz for sending me a copy to read and review 🫶

#luangoldie #betweenyesterdayandtomorrow #bookreview #bookstagram #bookstagrammer by @lakinloveslit

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0

24 days ago