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Xandra Bailey!💖

@reads.xandra27

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✨ She/Her 26.
💝 Bookworm since 1999.
📚 2025 Books : 18/365.
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🌈Title : In Her Own League

✍️Author : Liz Tomforde

Book Review : I picked this up expecting a fun sports romance, but I ended up getting so much more than that.

I finished In Her Own League yesterday, and one of the things I loved most was Reese. She's not just dealing with a new leadership role—she's constantly fighting to prove she belongs as the first female owner of a Major League Baseball team. Her determination and professionalism made her incredibly easy to root for. As someone who's worked in environments where you feel like you have to prove yourself twice as much, I really connected with that aspect of her story.

The chemistry between Reese and Emmett was another highlight. Their early interactions are full of tension, disagreements, and sharp banter that gradually evolve into something deeper. I appreciated that their relationship didn't feel rushed. The long road trips, team dynamics, and behind-the-scenes baseball operations gave their connection time to develop naturally.

I also enjoyed how much of the baseball world was woven into the story. Even though I'm not a huge sports fan, the details about managing a team, handling public scrutiny, and balancing personal feelings with professional responsibilities kept me invested. It reminded me a little of why I loved some of the best workplace romances—the stakes felt real beyond just the romance itself.

The reason I'm giving it 4.5 stars instead of a full five is that a few sections in the middle felt slightly slower than the rest. Still, the characters were strong enough that I never lost interest.

If you enjoy sports romances, workplace tension, strong female leads, and slow-burn chemistry with plenty of emotional depth, I'd definitely recommend this one. It's one of those books that's hard to put down once you get invested in the characters.

#InHerOwnLeague #LizTomforde #SportsRomance #BookReview by @reads.xandra27

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4 months ago

🌈Title : King of Wrath

✍️Author : Ana Huang

Book Review : I stayed up way too late finishing this book, and honestly, I don't regret it.

King of Wrath was my first Ana Huang book, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I'm usually hit-or-miss with billionaire romances because they can feel repetitive, but the arranged marriage setup here kept me invested from the beginning. Dante and Vivian had great chemistry, and I liked that their relationship developed gradually instead of feeling rushed.

What stood out most to me was Vivian. She could've easily been written as a passive character trapped by family expectations, but she's ambitious, intelligent, and knows exactly what she wants from life. Dante, on the other hand, starts off incredibly frustrating (in a good way), and watching his carefully controlled world slowly unravel was one of the most entertaining parts of the book.

I also enjoyed the family dynamics and social pressure woven throughout the story. The tension surrounding the engagement, the business connections, and the expectations placed on both characters added depth beyond the romance itself. There were plenty of emotional moments mixed with the banter and attraction, which kept the story balanced.

My only reason for not giving it a full five stars is that a few plot developments felt a little predictable. I could see certain twists coming well before they happened. Still, the character development and emotional payoff made up for it.

If you enjoy arranged marriage romances, powerful but flawed heroes, strong heroines, and lots of tension before the romance fully takes off, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try. I finished it yesterday and I'm already curious about the rest of the series.

#KingOfWrath #AnaHuang #RomanceBooks #BookReview by @reads.xandra27

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4 months ago

🌈Title : The Bed in the Shed

✍️Author : Izzy Bromley

Book Review : I picked this up for a light, funny read, but it ended up being a lot more relatable than I expected.

“The Bed in the Shed” starts with a pretty wild (but oddly believable) breaking point—Carrie literally moving into the garden shed after being completely fed up with her family taking her for granted. It sounds dramatic, but honestly, the way it’s written makes it feel like something that could actually happen after one too many disappointments.

What I really liked was how the story balances humor with real-life frustration. The domestic chaos that follows her decision is both funny and a little painful to watch, especially when you see how her family reacts. Her sister Bex adds a lot of energy to the story too—she’s outspoken and kind of chaotic in her own way, which made those scenes really entertaining.

There’s also this underlying theme about reclaiming your space and voice, and it’s handled in a way that doesn’t feel preachy. It reminded me of those moments where you realize you’ve been putting yourself last for way too long.

If I had one small complaint, it’s that some parts lean a bit predictable, especially once the media attention angle kicks in. But the writing style and character dynamics kept me engaged anyway.

I finished it yesterday, and it left me with a mix of laughter and that “I get it” feeling.

I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys relatable women’s fiction with humor and a bit of emotional depth. If you like stories about finding yourself again (with a bit of chaos along the way), this is definitely worth reading. Solid 4.5 stars.

#WomensFiction #RelatableReads #FeelGoodFiction #MidlifeJourney by @reads.xandra27

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4 months ago

🌈Title : The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything

✍️Author : Fiona Gibson

Book Review : I started this thinking it would just be a light, funny read—but it hit a little closer to home than I expected.

“The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything” follows Kate at her absolute breaking point, and honestly, that opening moment where she just decides she’s had enough? It felt weirdly satisfying. I think anyone who’s ever felt taken for granted, even in small ways, will recognize a bit of themselves in her.

What I liked most was how relatable the everyday details were—being the one who handles everything at home, feeling invisible in your own marriage, and constantly comparing yourself to other people who seem to have it all together. It never feels overly dramatic; it’s more like a slow build until you completely understand why Kate snaps.

Her impulsive decision to leave with basically no plan (and no clean clothes, which made me laugh) sets up a journey that’s both funny and surprisingly reflective. I also appreciated how the story balances humor with more emotional moments about rediscovering yourself and figuring out what you actually want later in life.

If I had one small complaint, it’s that parts of the plot felt a bit predictable, especially once her journey gets going. But honestly, the charm and writing style made up for it.

I finished it yesterday, and it left me feeling oddly encouraged—like it’s never too late to shake things up a bit.

I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy relatable, character-driven stories with humor and heart, especially women who might see a bit of themselves in Kate. It’s an easy, comforting read with just enough depth—definitely a solid 4.5 stars.

#WomensFiction #RomComReads #FeelGoodBooks #MidlifeJourney by @reads.xandra27

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4 months ago

🌈Title : Her Show of Force

✍️Author : Mike Krentz

Book Review : This one felt like watching a tense political thriller play out in real time.

“Her Show of Force” pulled me in pretty quickly with the mix of military strategy and personal stakes. I’m not usually deep into military fiction, but the way this book balances high-level geopolitical tension with character-driven moments made it surprisingly easy to get into. The conflict between North and South Korea sets a constant sense of urgency, and it never really lets up.

Kate “Scarlett” Mahoney is probably what kept me most invested. She’s tough and clearly experienced, but you still see the pressure she’s under, especially navigating a male-dominated command environment. Her dynamic with Preston Davis adds another layer—there’s tension there, not just professionally but emotionally, and it builds naturally as the story goes on.

I also liked how the book handles the military side of things. The strategy discussions, command decisions, and behind-the-scenes politics feel detailed without getting too confusing. It reminded me a bit of those shows where you’re constantly switching between the war room and the people actually affected by the decisions.

If I had one small complaint, it’s that some of the technical or strategic explanations slowed the pacing slightly in a few spots. But overall, it didn’t take away from the tension.

I finished it yesterday, and it left me thinking about how quickly situations like this could spiral in real life.

I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys military or political thrillers with strong characters and high stakes. If you like stories that mix action with strategy and a bit of emotional depth, this is definitely worth reading. Solid 4.5 stars.

#MilitaryThriller #PoliticalFiction #StrongFemaleLead #ActionReads by @reads.xandra27

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4 months ago

🌈Title : Dead Already

✍️Author : Mike Krentz

Book Review : I didn’t expect a medical thriller to feel this intense, but this one really caught me off guard.

“Dead Already” throws you straight into the chaos of the ER, and you can tell right away the author knows what they’re talking about. The medical scenes feel detailed and real without being overwhelming, which made everything more believable. I found myself getting pulled into Zack Winston’s world pretty quickly, especially with the pressure he’s under after the failed resuscitation and the lawsuit that follows.

What kept me hooked was how the story blends hospital drama with a larger mystery. The suspicious poisoning cases and rising body count add a layer of tension that goes beyond just one doctor’s career being on the line. I also liked how Zack’s past slowly comes into play—it gives his character more depth and makes his decisions feel more personal.

The courtroom and investigation parts were probably my favorite. There’s this constant feeling that something bigger is going on, and you’re trying to piece it together along with the characters. It reminded me a bit of those TV medical dramas, but with a darker, more suspenseful twist.

If I had one small complaint, it’s that a few plot turns felt a little predictable, especially if you’ve read a lot of thrillers. But the pacing is strong enough that it didn’t take away from the overall experience.

I finished it yesterday, and it definitely left me wanting to see where the series goes next.

I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys fast-paced medical thrillers with a mix of mystery and personal drama. If you like high-stakes stories set in hospitals with a darker edge, this is worth picking up. Solid 4.5 stars.

#MedicalThriller #SuspenseReads #CrimeFiction #FastPacedReads by @reads.xandra27

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4 months ago

🌈Title : Shattered Silence

✍️Author : Paige Black

Book Review : This one pulled me in fast and didn’t really let go.

“Shattered Silence” has that dark, moody vibe right from the beginning, and the setting in this foggy, isolated town adds a lot to the tension. I started reading it in the evening and ended up staying up way later than planned because I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next.

Eden Mercer is a solid main character—she’s not perfect, and her past with the cult actually adds a lot of depth to how she approaches the case. It makes everything feel more personal rather than just another investigation. I also really liked her K-9 partner, Shadow. Their dynamic adds a bit of grounding to an otherwise pretty intense story.

The mystery itself is what kept me hooked. The ritualistic burial, the connection to a local cult, and the looming deadline with the lunar eclipse all build this constant sense of urgency. It reminded me a bit of those crime shows where every clue just makes things more unsettling instead of clearer.

If I had one small complaint, it’s that a few parts felt slightly predictable, especially if you’ve read a lot of thrillers in this genre. But the atmosphere and pacing more than make up for it.

I finished it yesterday, and I still have that uneasy feeling from the story, which I think is exactly what the author was going for.

I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys dark crime thrillers with a strong female lead and a bit of psychological tension mixed in. If you like eerie settings and fast-paced investigations, this is definitely worth picking up. Solid 4.5 stars.

#CrimeThriller #DarkMystery #SuspenseReads #K9Partner by @reads.xandra27

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