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🗝️Minimalist Monday 🗝️

The gorgeous French Collector Edition of Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber 💛

This is one of the BRs for this month of Teas & Theories bookclub (@alicereadsromantasy 💜) 🔥

❔ If you could magically reveal one hidden secret, past or future, which would you pick?
Or do you like Buddy Reads, or do you prefer reading solo? How often do you do them?❔

#minimalistmonday #stephaniegarber #bayardjeunesse #specialeditionbooks #alchemyofsecrets

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❣️August Wrap Up❣️

August was such a great reading month! Here is everything I read this month (excluding my secret beta read! 🤫):

♣️ Painted Devils by Margaret Owen
A really nice sequel! I still love the worldbuilding, the magic system, and how much the characters continue to grow. Can’t wait to start the final book in the trilogy! 💫

🌋 The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
An incredible work of speculative fiction. The worldbuilding is phenomenal, and the way the author weaves timelines and character stories together is pure genius.

📼 Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose
An easy, fast-paced thriller! The premise with the old VHS tape discovery hooked me immediately. While it kept my attention for a quick sitting, it turned out to be a bit too predictable for me.

🐍 Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight
A dark "why choose" romance featuring a strong, resolute, and fearless female lead who holds her own. While a few plot points felt a bit unrealistic, it was definitely a wild, steamy ride!

⚖️ Femmes en colère by Mathieu Menegaux
A tense, thought-provoking courtroom and psychological drama. Set during a jury deliberation in a heavy trial, it brilliantly explores justice, ethics, and female rage!

⚡The Power by Naomi Alderman
A fascinating look at power dynamics, revenge, and politics when women suddenly develop a deadly physical power. It’s a chilling reminder of how easily power corrupts anyone who holds it.

🧟 The Heart of Elder Horrors (ARC)
(Releasing October 6th!)
A fantastic and light-to-read horror anthology! The stories were very approachable, and I loved several of them—especially the entry by A.J. Vrana!

🗡️ This Blade of Ours by Shalini Abeysekara
I’m still head over heels for this world, the political intrigue, and the characters! While I slightly preferred the first book, this was still a solid and enjoyable read.

🩸 The Lion & The Deathless Dark by Carissa Broadbent (Buddy Read 📖 with @alicereadsromantasy
Packed with rich character psychology, gritty action, and non-stop momentum. The author laid down an incredible foundation for what’s to come, and I am dying for the next installment!

#a

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🌿⚔️
Chose promise, chose due !

Vous voilà avec une liste de bookclubs toulousains ! Elle n'est sans doute pas exhaustive, si vous avez connaissance d'autres bookclubs, n'hésitez pas à les indiquer en commentaires 🫶

=> CLIQUEZ sur les icônes pour obtenir les liens vers les pages instagram des bookclubs.

Merci merci aux copines booksta pour leur aide dans la récolte d'infos, et aux librairies/bookclubs qui m'ont directement répondu 🙏

(NB : Vous me verrez peut-être traîner du côté de chez Gibert 😘)

#bookclubtoulouse #clubdelecture #toulousemaville #bookstagramfrance

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✨The Lion and the Deathless Dark by Carissa Broadbent✨

Crown of Nyaxia #5 - First book of Bloodborn Duet

Rating: 4.5 / 5⭐

Buddy Read with Alice 💜

Review:

Carissa Broadbent never disappoints!

What worked well:

🩸 Exceptional Character Depth & Internal Logic: The main characters are brilliantly defined. Broadbent excels at psychological grounding—every action, choice, and hesitation from the Female Main Character, Kyrene is deeply rooted in her history, trauma, and survival instincts. Her internal monologues add so much emotional weight, and her growth feels completely earned rather than forced by the plot.

🔮Dynamic Character Interactions: The banter and dialogue between the MCs feel mature and strategic. Their bond is built on mutual respect and complex boundaries rather than instant, unearned trust.

🪄A True Dark Fantasy Shift: The shift toward a darker, grittier tone is a huge win (already started in the previous duology). With high-stakes battles, heavy moral dilemmas, and visceral action, the narrative feels less like a standard fantasy romance and more like a war saga where every choice carries real weight.

❣️ Romance as a Bonus: The romantic dynamic is ok, but the plot doesn't rely on it as a load-bearing pillar. Their dynamic works so well as an alliance and a deep friendship that the romance just feels like an added bonus rather than a plot device.

🎧 Exceptional Audiobook Performance: The narration was absolutely incredible. The voice actors were perfectly cast and matched the characters' personalities brilliantly.

Final Thoughts:

Rich in character psychology, packed with gritty action, and consistently engaging. The Author has set up an incredible foundation for what’s to come, and I can't wait for the next book.

❔When reading dark fantasy, do you prefer romance to be the central plot engine, or do you enjoy it more when it takes a backseat to the political intrigue and war saga?
Or What are you currently reading? ❔

Mary: I prefer when the romance takes a backseat to the main plot.💜

#bookrecs #bookreviews #carissabroadbent #fantasybooks fantasy world

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DARK ACADEMIA STACK

The most lovely @tess_reads_books tagged me to post a dark academia stack

Those are the dark academia and dark academia adjacent books I have a copy of. I’d add The Secret History obviously, Katabasis and the Incandescent

Dark academia is a genre I love: the setting, the aesthetic, the social commentary, the hustle!

When I was in college I felt I was living the best years of my life! Doing not much besides reading and studying languages and civilizations. And partying…
If I had Instagram back in those days, I would have posted so many pictures because it was an old and pretty university! Also it’s where I met my husband

Do you read dark academia? What book is your favorite in this genre? Did you enjoy your college years?

#babel #vicious #ninthhouse #bunny #ifwewerevillains

🍂 My garden has been roasted by multiple heatwaves this summer! It looks like we're in October already though it's still over 30°C. It was the strangest summer!

I'm tagging some friends for a dark academia stack but no pressure!

🇨🇵 Ma pile de livres dark academia

L'adorable @tess_reads_books m'a taguée pour que je partage ma pile de livres dark academia

Voici les livres dark academia et apparentés dont je possède une copie. J'ajouterais The Secret History, Katabasis et The Incandescent

J'adore ce genre : l'ambiance, l'esthétique, le commentaire social et ce qui s'en dégage !

Pendant mes années d'université, j'avais conscience de vivre les plus belles années de ma vie ! Je passais mon temps à lire et vaguement étudier les langues et les civilisations. Et faire la fête aussi ! Si j'avais eu Instagram à l'époque, j'aurais posté tellement de photos, ma fac était plutôt jolie et délabrée ! C'est aussi là que j'ai rencontré mon mari.

Est-ce que vous lisez de la dark academia ? Quel est votre livre préféré dans ce genre ? Avez-vous aimé vos années d'université ?

Vous êtes tagué pour poster une pile dark academia !

🍂 Mon jardin a souffert des canicules à répétition cet été ! On se croirait déjà en octobre, même s'il fait encore plus de 30 °C. C'était l’été le plus étrange !

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🍉July Wrap Up🍉

July was a very special month!
It was my birthday month 😉. I only managed to finish 5 books this month, but a few of them became absolute favorites of the year!

Here are my mini reviews:

✨ The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi
In BR with Alice & Marine ❤️

Great story, but the audiobook narrator makes it a masterpiece! Her distinct character voices and effortless transition between dialogue and internal monologue were incredibles.

✨ The Jasad Crown

One of the best duology of all time! Incredible worldbuilding, phenomenal character development, and an unforgettable story.

🍉Verity Guild

Full of intrigue and a super compelling plot. This dark, murderous journey kept me hooked.
I'm so curious about book two.

🍉 King of Ravens
As a Hades & Persephone fan, I loved the labyrinth concept and the worldbuilding! Super easy to read, though the dialogue felt a bit simple and predictable compared to the witty tone in A Kiss of Iron. Still really enjoyed it!

🍉 Lore of the Wilds
Love the enchanted library concept, but the execution fell short. The plot felt predictable and reads like YA despite some out-of-place smut scenes. Hoping book two improves!

❔What was your favorite read of July? ❔

#readingwrapup #fantasybooks #fantasyworld #bookrecs #bookreviews

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J'adore cette trend, vous me connaissez si bien 🤭

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksta #bookstagramfrance

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🍋‍🟩 Favorite Song/ Favorite Color 🍋‍🟩

I was tagged by @tess_reads_books and some other equally cruel persons for the ‘Favorite Song + Favorite Color’ challenge

Tess said, and I quote, ‘such a fun challenge, but also so hard! How do you even pick a favorite song?!’ and then she tagged 20 booksta including me 😭

This question of my favorite song has been haunting me for days now! I love SO MANY SONGS!
A good song makes me happy and excited, but a great song gives me goosebumps and makes me cry: exactly like books! It makes me cry but more of joy than sadness, like when it's summer and you're driving and you hear that song that makes you feel overwhelmed with emotions and a main character energy

I had to make a choice but I changed my mind non stop so I decided to just stop and post something!

And because I'm not a good person, I'm tagging some of you to share your favorite song and color and if you see this post consider yourself tagged too, and you should definitely feel pressured ! 😈

🍋‍🟩 I've read all the books in this picture except one

Two Twisted Crowns 4.25⭐
The Husky and his White Cat Shizun 4.5⭐
The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System TBR
Bonesmith 4.75⭐
Sing me to Sleep 3.75⭐
Savage Blooms 4.25⭐

(I apologize in advance to Jade for the choice of color)

🇨🇵 🍋‍🟩 Chanson préférée / Couleur préférée 🍋‍🟩

J’ai été taguée par @tess_reads_books et d’autres personnes tout aussi cruelles pour ce challenge
Tess a dit, je cite : ‘un défi trop fun, mais aussi trop dur ! Comment choisir une chanson préférée ?!’… et puis elle a tagué 20 booksta y compris moi 😭

Cette question de ma chanson préférée me hante depuis des jours ! J’AIME TELLEMENT DE CHANSONS !
Une bonne chanson me rend heureuse mais une excellente chanson me donne des frissons et envie de pleurer… exactement comme les livres ! Pleurer de joie plutôt que de tristesse. Comme quand tu conduis un soir d'été et que tu entends cette chanson qui te submerge d’émotions

J’ai essayé de faire un choix, mais j’ai changé d’avis 100 fois…

Et comme je ne suis pas quelqu'un de gentil, je vais taguer certains d’entre vous pour partager VOTRE chanson et couleur préférées 😈

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I cannot wait to hold this baby in my hands! I know I already did a reel BUT this cover is too perfect to only be shown in a fleeting moment.

She deserves the spotlight. So here we are! Whispers of Rage!

Feast your eyes 🤤

#coverreveal #indieauthor #fantasybooks

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Lights Out - Navessa Allen - 2024

Rating: 4⭐️

Genre: Dark romance
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Plot:
Lately, my feed has been dominated by masked men. I’ve favorited videos with them dressed in full cosplay, decked out in futuristic military apparel, and wrapped up like ghouls.
But more than anything else, my FYP is filled with shirtless men wearing ghost masks. Bonus points if they’re heavily tattooed, wielding a knife, or covered in fake blood. At night, I dream about being chased by them, of them catching me and doing deliciously dark things to my more than willing body.
I never could have guessed that by sending one drunken text, those dreams would become my new reality.

Quote:
“This man is always coming onto my FYP and never on me, and that is a tragedy”

Review:
Buddy read with @alicereadsromantasy and @laborde.virginie
Lights Out was my first time reading a dark romance, and I did not except to have such a good time !
The story follows two POVs. Aly, an emergency nurse with a very specific fetish: thirst trap accounts of men wearing mask. The other is Josh, Aly’s favorite « Mask Guy » online. One day, he actually takes her comment seriously and starts stalking her and breaks into her house. From there starts a very questionable relationship but it gets weirdly compelling and adorable. The characters are messed up but it’s surprisingly entertaining and funny. I laughed out loud several times while reading. Josh’s inner monologue especially is absolutely hilarious. He’s fully aware that what he’s doing is wrong and yet he can’t stop himself.
There is definitely some weird smut (the knife scene, iykyk) but I was expecting this as it fits the vibe of the book.
This could have easily (and surprisingly !) been a 5 stars read if not for the final part. It felt unnecessarily long, and the whole mafia subplot didn’t work for me. I understand the need for added drama, but I didn’t like this direction.

QOTD: Have you ever read a book that was amazing but for which you didn’t like the ending ?

~ Marion

#booksbooksbooks #bookreview #darkromance #bookishpost #bookstagramtoulouse

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Scavenger Hunt Book Tag 📚

Thanks to the amazing @tess_reads_books and @littleraereads for tagging me in this one!
I mixed and matched the prompts from each post. We love a scavenger hunt!

At one point, it went from “I can’t find any book for this tag” to “I can’t choose from all the books I found.” I don’t know why 🙃 Bear with me, my brain is fried atm
Obviously, you only need one book for each prompt!

So, on my shelves I found:

🩷 A Book with a Color in the Title
The Husky and His White Cat Shizun
➡️ Also, there are two animals in this one

1️⃣ A Book with a One-Word Title
Babel
Villain

💁🏼‍♀️ A Book with a Name in the Title
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
The Song of Achilles

9️⃣ A Book with a Number in the Title
One for My Enemy
Nona the Ninth
Ninth House

🐦‍⬛ A Book with an Animal in the Title
An Enchantment of Ravens
Starling House
The Raven Boys
.
.
.
.
.

Now, this is the part of the post where crazy girl took charge of the tags:

1️⃣💁🏼‍♀️ A Book with a One-Word Title That Is a Name
Cinder
Fable
Circe

1️⃣🐦‍⬛ A Book with a One-Word Title That Is an Animal
Bunny

1️⃣🩷 A Book with a One-Word Title That Is a Color
Yellowface

I’m proud to say I’ve actually read and liked or loved all of these books! Can you spot a favorite or a book that’s on your TBR?

I’ll tag some friends to go on their own scavenger hunt, no pressure!

🪻 No periwinkles were harmed during the shooting 🪻

#Bookstagram
#BookTag
#ScavengerHuntReads
#ReadersOfInstagram
#Fantasy

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🧵 Friendship bracelets — BCC septembre 2025

Des fils, des couleurs et beaucoup de bienveillance ✨

Pendant ce BCC, on a fabriqué des friendship bracelets, tout en échangeant autour des livres et de nos univers préférés.

Quand la créativité rencontre les livres.

#BCC #FriendshipBracelets #BookishCreation #Creativite

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