Shut Up and Book Up!

Manga Review 5 out of 5 stars! "Y'know you're kinda cringe when you're in love. Meek is not a good look on you." - Mizuki Aito never wanted to fall in love especially after what happened when he did! Love at first sight usually brings butterflies and flushed cheeks. Instead, he's collapsing to his knees with sickness and pain. The Little Mermaid was real, and he finds that he was her in a past life! The curse remains and now he has to try and endure. Solution = just avoid boy he fell in love with. Simple. But destiny has other plans. . . Cornered Aito finds his peaceful college career is going to get very complicated. The boy turned man is in his school and needing his help with a project!? Maybe with the help of Mizuki, Aito will break the curse and be able to finally speak to Toru! "Happy endings are a fuckin' scam." - Aito I found this manga and was drawn in by the cover! After reading the synopsis I had to request it through NetGalley! I did ...

Audiobook Review 5 out of 5 stars! Narrator: Shiromi Arserio First and foremost, I highly recommend reading this series in order! There are some spoilers for book one and we get more insight into this interconnecting world. You can jump into this installment, but you will miss out on some backstories and how characters came to be included in Isabeau's life! * * * Isabeau Agarwal used to be a lone Huntress. Chasing Eldritch Horrors and other mythological beasts down and completing her orders swiftly and efficiently, "thank you very much". Only now her hunting party has grown to four including herself?! It was only supposed to be Isabeau and Evie carrying out the vague orders given by the nobles', but plans change in the most hilarious and chaotic of ways!  No matter, Isabeau will carry out the task and see it through. Though as the journey on the maiden voyage of The Lamplight Express continues things become more bizarre and deadly. A murder occurs, it seems the Huntre...

Book Review 3.5 out of 5 stars! Releasing April 28, 2026 "I wasn't always a time-traveling thief." Mei can open gateways into the past, being pulled to different eras for purposes unknown. Why not nab a few things while trying to figure out what she's meant to do?  When an old friend approaches her with an opportunity to help out a museum, Mei can't pass it up. Especially when the item was a symbol for gay love back in Ancient China! As she struggles to obtain the jade peach, she discovers things about herself including more about her Chinese heritage. Being Chinese American has been a struggle, but the time jumps into Ancient China has helped her connection grow. First off, the cover art is stunning! I was drawn in by the artwork and spent a good deal studying it before I actually dived into the read! Jenn So is the artist. I am also a big fan of any and all mythology, so this read seemed up my ally! "I'm made of sunset and dawnlight, but he doesn't ...

Manga Review 5 out of 5 stars! "The manga I have written so far. . . None of it is my own work." - Haruta Like many creative people, Haruta hit a wall. A writing AND artist block back in high school! Unable to achieve anything she was ready to give up entirely. Until a tragedy lands a special notebook in her hands that leads to a very successful career as an adult. Only now with a new deadline approaching fast she finds herself unable to make anything. The guilt after all these years is also weighing heavily and she believes it's time to come clean. She stole someone's future and wants nothing more than to return it all to him! Something hears her drunken cries and throws her back ten years. Haruta will return the notebook, redeem herself, and maybe save Yukishima-Senpai! "You gotta push past the embarrassment and do whatever you can." - Yukishima This was a sweet and rather emotional read! Wasn't expecting to feel so much within the first volume of the ...

Audiobook Review! 5 out of 5 stars! Narrator: Shiromi Arserio Ms Isabeau Agarwal has come to the end of her hunt having finally cornered her quarry! But she won't have an easy time this night because of the unruly storm, the quaint countryside inn itself, and the guests who reside within. Life is never simple and certainly not for a Huntress of supernatural monsters. She must find out whom amongst the guests is the liar. Her quarry being a monster who can wear its victim's skin and mimic the person exactly! To round out the already tense night a murder occurs dragging the Huntress into a whodunit. But maybe in solving the murder mystery she will unmask her beast. The clock is ticking down, and insurances have already been put in place if Isabeau fails her hunt before dawn. . . I unfortunately do not have any cool quotes from the read. When I listen to audiobooks I'm usually cooking and unable to stop and write down quotes from the read. I was browsing Libby looking for ano...

Book Review! 5 out of 5 stars! “Alex has this vibe of, like…if everything finally went according to plan, then he could relax. But nothing’s ever gone to plan, so he can’t.” Alexander's life hasn't been the same since he failed that one fateful mission. Spending the last three years living paycheck to paycheck and trying to scrape bye. Missing his family and the comforts of his family home. But he must prove himself to them and so he homes in on a werewolf pack. Aiming to take down their Alpha and present the head to his parents. Only he can't seem to manage this feat on his own and a member of the pack would like nothing more than to see his Alpha dead. Begrudgingly Alexander agrees to team up with Tobias, but only until the mission is complete and then neither breath a word about their alliance. Little does Alex know that Tobias has just found his mate. Tobias cursing the universe's sense of humor! But if this mission is a success will Alexander even want to run away ...

Book Review 3.5 out of 5 stars! Releasing April 13, 2026 "They're a funny lot, the Maple Close residents. They always were, even before the awful murders."  Daisy has had to flee back to the safety of her Grandad's home in a gated cul-de-sac community. Her last true crime podcast unearthed some truths and sent the correct man to jail. But not everyone was thrilled with the outcome of justice. Daisy tries to take it easy and unwind in this familiar home and area not willing to dive into a new podcast. Until a neighbor approaches Daisy with a plea for help. Wanting Daisy to figure out the truth behind The Wise Monkey Murders and possibly find her guilty teenage girl, now woman, innocent! Daisy tries to stand her ground; she really does, but curiosity is such an alluring mistress. She soon finds herself tumbling down the rabbit hole and wondering if any of the Maple Close residents can be trusted. Someone really doesn't want this case to be reopened. . . I love a goo...

Comic/Graphic Novel Review Complete Edition of Issues #1-4 4 out of 5 stars! "Why can't guys be like they are in the novels?" - Clara Coming off a breakup and ignoring the "let's talk messages", Clara wants a passionate romance. One that rivals the fictional novels she reads! Deciding to test out the new and advanced AI dating service she creates the man who stars in her spicy books! Getting encouragement from her friends she subscribes and soon forgets all about her ex. Technology is great until it malfunctions. . . A glitch causes things to go south as Clara starts to realize there's a reason one should separate fiction from reality. But can she stop her possessive, stalker Android in time?! I was scrolling through NetGalley when I saw Maria had a new comic up for review! I had to read it! I love the simplicity and beauty of the artwork and how so much is conveyed through addition of lines and colors! And the psychology Maria presents in her works, thi...