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Lumi

@lumislibrary

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I like to talk about books 🫶
ARC reader • all things fantasy & romance
📍🇰🇭 • DM for email 💌
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📖: Irrelevant Situations
🎧: Shadowmire

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Meet the Reader 🍃

Hi all! This is (evidently) my first post on Bookstagram! I'm super excited to be joining this community, and to be meeting fellow bibliophiles!

I realise now that my post is a little bit wordy, so I apologise for that haha. There were some more random fun facts I would've loved to include in this post, but we'll save that for another time. 😊

If you want to see more of what I enjoy reading, feel free to go onto my Goodreads (linked in bio) and add me there! I'm always looking for a new friend. 🤗

--tags--
#newbookstagram #meetthereader #meetthebookstagrammer #booksta by @lumislibrary

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4 months ago

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4 months ago

Book Tour Stop & Book Review 📖

Beneath David's Throne: Michal's Story by Melissa Alfredson

4⭐

I've always been really interested in retellings that give voice to women who may have been overlooked in their source material, so when I saw that Beneath the Throne by Melissa Alfredson was set in Michal's POV, and reimagines her story beyond what little we know from the Scriptures, I knew I'd have to give the book a read. While I cannot speak to the accuracy of this story in relation to the one in the Bible, as I'm not Christian myself and haven't had a chance to read it, as a work of biblical fiction, this was an incredible story.

One of Melissa Alfredson's many strengths is her ability to write incredibly complex characters and relationships. Her portrayal of Michal is far from a perfect protagonist. She's bitter and prideful, overconfident in her own perceptiveness, and beyond stubborn, but she's also fierce, resilient, and incredibly loyal. She stood by David through the worst, and even after all the mistakes and resentment, continued to stand by him in the end. Though she doesn't always make the best decisions, I found myself rooting for her to find release and let go of her bitterness, and was invested in her journey to discover who she is beyond her role in the lives of the men around her. Aside from Michal, there were many other equally compelling and complicated characters. Among them, my favourites were David, Joab, Maya and Absalom.

Another thing I loved about this book was how little hand-holding there was. The author trusts readers to pick up on subtleties through characters' actions, tone and behavior rather than explicitly spelling everything out. This, coupled with the intricate court politics, made for a plot that was wonderfully layered and complex. Beyond that, I also enjoyed some of the recurring motifs with the drooping crowns and the desert rose.

Overall, this was a unique and rewarding read for me, one that has left me curious to explore its source material.

Thank you @booksandbloompr and @alfredsonmelissa for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. by @lumislibrary

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15 hours ago

What’s your favorite romance trope?

This post was crazy to coordinate and I’m so grateful so many of y’all got on board with this one! It’s so interesting to see what tropes everyone prefers!

I thought it was hilarious to see Insta-love getting no votes 😂

🏷️: #bookstagram #collab #girlies #romancetropes #thisorthat by @lumislibrary

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3 days ago

Book Review 📖

Scoring Lessons by Yinn Quirós

4.5⭐

Y'all this was such an addictive read! I literally finished the book at 2:45am because I simply could not put it down!

Going into the book, I was expecting good ol' hockey romance fun, and for most of the book, that's exactly what I got. There were LOTS of giggling and kicking-my-feet moments, and all the playful banter between the two main characters were so much fun! But there were also unexpectedly more deeper topics explored, especially in terms of mental health, and I found that part to be incredibly heartwarming.

I really loved our FMC, Olivia, who'd just recently uprooted her life from NY to move to Chicago for a fresh start. I HATE her a-hole of an ex for making her feel like she wasn't worth putting in the effort for. Her journey towards self-love and self-discovery was genuinely inspiring and I loved getting to watch her earn back her spark throughout the book. And bonus love for Daisy! Always love a good pupper in a book 🥺

And, of course, my favourite Wesley (sorry, Wes Bennett): Wesley Hayes. He's a typical flirty golden retriever mmc and always down for messing around, but underneath all that facade is someone who silently battles anxiety and depression, all while having to deal with the added pressure of constantly worrying he'll get traded out. I absolutely loved how his healing journey was portrayed. Not every single problem HAS to be resolved by the ending. It felt more emotionally honest, and sometimes the victory is simply that they're better equipped to face whatever comes next.

The romance was great as well. We got lots of bickering at the start, which was its own fun, but over time we saw the characters get more and more vulnerable around each other. It was a beautiful progression and I loved seeing how raw and open they were with each other by the end as opposed to how they were always deflecting at the start.

All in all, this was a fantastic read, and I cannot wait for Valentina and Nico's story.

Thank you @lunaliterary.management and @yinnquirosauthor for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

--tags--
#arcreader #arcreview #bookreview #booksta by @lumislibrary

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6 days ago

Book Review 📖

Closer Together by Dani Elias

4⭐

Closer Together was a short and really sweet read, featuring a reunion between two childhood friends who ended up rekindling their effortless friendship and letting it grow into something more. I've been craving a good childhood-friends-to-lovers story, and this one definitely fills the void.

Olivia, our FMC, struggled with dyslexia, but most of all, with people around her making her feel inadequate for "not trying hard enough". She's so sweet, smart and capable, and it hurts my heart to see how some people wouldn't see that just because she learns differently and has been forced into a system that doesn't properly accommodate her learning. I loved that Rob was a safe space for her, someone who actually understands her differences and, instead of trying to change her, sticks by her side and finds ways to help her learn better! I also loved that he stood up for her against her family and taught her to stand up for herself as well.

Their romance was a bit insta-lovey but it is a novella, so that was to be expected. I loved that even the characters themselves were aware of how quick they were moving. It made it easier for me to accept bahaha. Aside from that, their romance was so sweet, and I loved how effortlessly their conversations flowed! It really showed how comfortable they were with each other!

Another thing I loved was that most of the characters were in their 40s. It's hard for me to find sweet romance novels/novellas where the characters are not in their teens/20s, so having a whole cast of older characters was really refreshing! The writing was also very snappy and witty, which made the book really easy to breeze through.

There's also a bonus chapter available to download after you finish reading the book! It was a really cute chapter and I loved it a lot!!

All in all, this was a fantastic palate cleanser. If you're looking for a short and sweet small-town romance with some found-family vibes, I think you'll love this!

Thank you @happilybookedpr and @dani_elias_books for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

--tags--
#bookreview #arcreview #arcreader #booksta by @lumislibrary

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8 days ago

Book Review 📖

Carousel by Beth Best

5⭐

Beth Best you MAGNIFICENT, BEAUITFUL, EVIL WOMAN.

I would like to start off by saying that this book TORE my heart out of my chest, gave it a gentle pat, folded it up neatly and PUT IT THROUGH A WOODCHIPPER BECAUSE WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ENDING...

I had no idea what to expect going into this book, but as soon as I started reading, I was entirely captivated. Almost the entirety of the book was set on a massive carousel-shaped steam-powered warship (the 'Hive' as it was called) that carried a bunch of tiny military aircrafts (How freaking cool is that??) The originality of it all was incredibly refreshing! On top of that, we ALSO get a classic war story between 'nature vs mankind', which in this case is more of the military force of Hevalla vs the ancient blood magic of Rhavna. (Both countries I hate in equal measure but DAMN do they make for a great story)

Now onto the freaking plot! There were plot twist for DAYS. Our main character, Ara, had to deal with shifting loyalties and MULTIPLE betrayals throughout the book, and not one person was entirely trustworthy. It was such a mindfuck and it made for such a fast-paced, engaging story to follow along with.

Beth Best also did an incredible job making each character distinct while also giving them depth. We ended up meeting some incredibly compelling 'bad' characters, and most characters were driven by their own motivations and had their own agendas to serve, making the politics so intriguing. Additionally, many of the characters were not quite what they seemed at first sight, which made getting to know them even more interesting.

I also cannot end this review without talking about the romance! This may be one of my favourite love-triangles to date, in that you really have no idea who Ara is going to end up with. While I stayed a loyal stan of one MMC, I can understand how many readers can go back and forth between the two!

All in all, this has become a quick favourite and these characters will be living rent-free in my head for a longgg time.

Thank you @booksandbloompr and @bethbestbooks for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

S by @lumislibrary

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10 days ago

Book Review 📖

All the Ways to Miss You by Rebel Warren

4⭐

Guyssss I think I need therapy like right this instant 😭 This book started off with a more quirky and fun tone, but definitely took a huge turn and ended up becoming a really emotional story about loss and love. Cait and Evan are literal soulmates 🥹

I enjoyed the romance a lot! As one of the characters in the book described, "It seemed so effortless." Cait and Evan's love for each other seemed so natural, like they were always meant to fit together. They challenged each other to be better, with Cait making Evan more motivated while Evan taught Cait how to let loose. They really brought out the best in each other, and it was beautiful to see!

While the romance was a large focus, I also thought the emotional journey we went on with Cait and her struggles with her identity and sense of self (due to her amnesia) were explored very well. Additionally, both her and Evan's traumas were also handled delicately. (Loved the author's note at the end!) It felt like a meaningful representation through a story that was told beautifully.

I also loveddd all of the side characters (what's new?), they all added so much charm (Ozzy! 🥹) and the occasional humour (Aggie lol) to an otherwise emotionally devastating story bahaha.

The before and after timelines was also done very well! Each new chapter from 'before' brought in so much new context to the story and really made me interpret some of the 'after' scenes differently. (Never expected to cry over freaking SPONGEBOB! 😭) I genuinely could NOT put the book down after reaching the 'before' chapters because it was seriously revelation after revelation.

I'll end this review here since I feel like it's best to go into this book as I did, knowing as little as possible! This was such an incredible read, and I seriously cannot wait for Linden and Viv's book!!

Thank you @happilybookedpr and @rebelwarren_author for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I had SO MANY MOREE GOOD ONES but they were either full-on paragraphs or in complete spoiler territory so I decided to just slip in some funnier, unhinged ones 😭🤣 absolutely no regr by @lumislibrary

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11 days ago

Audiobook Review 🎧

The Game Changer by Julia Jarrett

4⭐

I'm super late to the game (no pun intended 😆) but I finally had the chance to get around to The Game Changer by Julia Jarrett and it was a great listen!

If you're looking for a healthy romance between two adults who actually know how to communicate, THIS IS IT!!

I love how driven and determined our FMC Isla was. Even with all the setbacks she had to deal with, she still kicked ass at her job, and even so she never lets her focus on her career take away from how kind she is to the people around her. She's an incredible mother, and always tries to do the best she can for Charlie and find a way to make him happy. On the other hand, Luca was such a gentle soul. I loved how supportive he was of Isla and his love for Charlie was so evident it warmed my heart!! (I 100% get the charm of single parent romances now 🥹) He genuinely loves Charlie like his own son and I enjoyed seeing them connect through their experiences with ABS as well as their shared love of baseball.

The romance was great as well! I thought the progression was handled very nicely. While the attraction was immediate, Isla and Luca took the time to get to know each other and we could see their emotional bond forming over the course of the book! And like I briefly mentioned earlier, I loveddd that whenever there was a misunderstanding between the two characters, it wasn't dragged out for drama and they actually worked things out between them by TALKING to each other! They made it very easy to root for them as a couple.

The ABS representation was done very nicely as well! I had no clue going into the book what ABS even stood for, and learning more about it through Luca and Charlie was very eye-opening. I loved the community they found in Cedar Creek, it was all very wholesome!

And of course the narrators were fantastic! Both Connor Crais and Heather Firth's range were INSANEE! The audiobook also heightened the more emotionally charged scenes, and it made for a very enjoyable listening experience overall!

Thank you @hambright_pr and @juliajarrettauthor for providing this audiobook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

If yo by @lumislibrary

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13 days ago

September Reading Recap 📚

Happy October friends! Look who's back with another monthly wrap-up yayyyy 😚

I woulddd say sorry for the (almost) complete radio silence on my end but you know what! I'm not sorry! Life has been LIFE-ING and it's okay to put booksta on the back burner when things get overwhelming! (Or so I've been trying to tell myself 😭)

What I AM sorry for though is not being able to properly engage with a lot of your lovely people's posts, so if I've missed some of your recent posts PLEASE KNOW I'M SO SORRY and I'll be sure to catch up soon enough 🙏

Now since the weekly wrap-ups haven't really been a thing lately (they're coming back soonnn trust!), I figured I could sneak some life updates on this monthly wrap-up instead haha. So first of all, I actually passed my uni entrance exam! I'M GOING TO UNI AHHH 🥹 I willl be busy with all the admission stuff for a couple of days but I'm also getting so giddy about finally starting uni haha.

While I LOVE staying at home and being able to (for the most part) read all I want, I'm definitely someone who needs at least a liiiiittle bit of productivity in my life or I'll just get super jittery and restless all day lol! I've also been meeting up with some old friends from middle school lately, and it's been really nice just catching up with everyone 😚

If you've seen my story from yesterday, you'll know my laptop broke down lol, so it's very likely I won't be posting reviews for a good few days 😭 I'll either have to rewrite them on my phone or pray my laptop isn't beyond repair argh.

I definitely learned my lesson though lol! I'll be drafting my reviews on Google Docs instead of Goodreads from now on, just so I can prevent something similar from happening again. 😭

Hope everyone's had a great September and got some fun reads lined up for October!!

--tags--
#readingrecap #readingwrapped #readingwrapup #books #booksta

For the stats this month... 📊

I was actually able to read way more than I thought I would!

I think I read about 1.5k more pages compared to August, which was very surprising! (Though I guess I shouldn't be toooo surprised considering I read 600+ pages in total just yesterday alo by @lumislibrary

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15 days ago

🍁 Sunday Shoutouts🍁

Ts week the list is short it only contains 7 shoutouts I did people tha is under 2K followers…. thank yu to everyone tha like my note frm yesterday @velora_edits07 I saw yu like to but bc yu got shoutouts last week I give yu tag but yu won’t be included for the shoutouts.

The first shoutouts for the fall 🍁.
Ts post is meant to be fun & to engage.
#booknstagrammer #fallvibes #sunday #shoutouts by @lumislibrary

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19 days ago

Book Tour Stop & Book Review 📖

A Mortal Attachment by Melissa Baron

5⭐

A Mortal Attachment promised a lush, gothic dark academia setting, mystery and secrets that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and undeniable chemistry between the two main characters, and it absolutely DELIVERED on that!

The first thing I wanna talk about is Melissa Baron's beauitful prose. It's poetic, conjuring gorgeous imagery as you read, while also being incredibly atmospheric with just a touch of whimsy. The vivid descriptions of Gwendolyn are so beautiful and left me in awe, which contrasted so well with the undercurrent of unease and eeriness so palpable you could practically taste it. It's absolutely delightful.

The romance was also very masterfully written! The slow-burn was executed immaculately!! You could SEE the buildup of emotions between Astra and Dane, and the yearning was *chef's kiss*. I loved that they started off as reluctant friends, grew to respect each other, became actual friends and eventually became something more. The progression felt so realistic!! Also, they started off with a SHARED INTEREST, which is so important in relationships and I feel like it's often neglected in fictional ones. I loved seeing their shared love for astronomy and their passion is so contagious!

Interwoven into the story alongside the romance was the mystery of what truly happened in Gwendolyn sixteen months ago, along with all the other secrets hidden in the university. I loved the way Melissa Baron feeds us pieces of the truth and allowed us to piece together some truths ourselves! It made the reveals feel so satisfying! Everything was so obvious all along, and yet some parts still came as a surprise in the end. It was very cleverly written!!

I'm feeling so conflicted because on one hand, I NEED BOOK 2 RN. But on the other hand, I hope Melissa takes as much time as she needs to write book 2. (I'm sure writing stories this incredible takes an insane amount of effort and time!) In the meantime, Astra and Dane will be living rent free in my head.

Thank you @rrbooktours and @melissabaronwrites for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Because sin by @lumislibrary

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25 days ago