Writing my wrap-up for March has proven to be quite difficult. It feels like last month was both super short and super long at the same time. Day wise I feel like the month has gone nowhere, however, reading-wise I feel like it has gone on forever. 

When looking at my Goodreads for this month I was genuinely surprised that some of these books were read in March, it feels like I read some of them in February. 

I’m honestly a little sad that March has come to its end. I’m back at work next week which I wouldn’t be too bothered about as I’m technically still in the same job, but I’ve been promoted to full time and I’m really nervous about going back. Now I know what you’re thinking that a promotion sounds amazing. Well yes, but it’s at a different location and I don’t know anyone. The good thing about the new location is that I now have to travel which does mean a little extra time at the start and the end of my day for reading. 

Anyway enough about my personal life, onto the wrap-up!

*Every book other than Chain of Iron was given to me in exchange for an honest review* 

The Place Beyond Her Dreams by Oby Aligwekwe 

Read: 27/02/21 – 02/03/21

It feels like I read this book so long ago. I do think I read most of it in February and finished off the last part this month, but wow this month has dragged slightly. 

Currently, I don’t remember too much about The Place Beyond Her Dreams but I do know that I thought it was ok. Definitely not the best book I’ve read so far this year, but it was all-around ok. 

Check out my full review here. 

Goodreads synopsis: “At the sudden death of her grandfather, Ona’s pain transports her to mystical Luenah—a place of infinite possibilities, free of turf wars and other ills that plague the earthly dimension she lives in. In Luenah, where her grandfather awaits her, Ona learns she is an Eri, one bestowed with unique intuitive and spiritual gifts passed down from generation-to-generation.

On her eighteenth birthday, she returns to Luenah and is handed a box to deposit her ‘exchange’ for love and happiness—her greatest desires. Burdened by her quest, Ona crosses paths with danger and heartbreak as the two men that love her dearly are viciously pitted against each other. As evil looms, she learns that dreams carry a hefty price, and no one is who they seem. Now, she must unmask the villain and save the one she loves, even at the risk of losing everything she holds dear.” 

Chain of Iron (The Last Hours #2) by Cassandra Clare

Read: 04/03/21 – 05/03/21

Chain of Iron was most definitely the star of the month. My most anticipated read since I finished Chain of Gold and oh boy it did not disappoint. I’m starting to think at this point that I will read absolutely anything that Cassandra Clare publishes. 

Considering the size of this book I pretty much flew through it. I set out two entire days that I did nothing but read this and I’m so happy that I did. I need more Cordelia and James right now! 

Last year I didn’t give Chain of Gold five stars as I was almost afraid to do so. I don’t like to give five stars often as I worry that someone will disagree with me. Well now I really don’t care and I’ve actually given two five star reviews already this year. Basically what I’m saying is this book was incredible and the wait for the next one is going to be painful. 

Check out my full review here. 

Goodreads synopsis: “Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming companions, the Merry Thieves. She is about to be reunited with her beloved father. And she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade.

But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with the mysterious Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it, while her father has grown bitter and angry. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace.

Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the knife-wielding killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she plans to raise Jesse from the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself may be the killer they seek.”

The Shadow in the Glass by J.J.A Harwood 

Read: 10/03/21 – 12/03/21

This is another book that feels like I read it ages ago. Well, it’s actually only been two and a half weeks. Which has left me surprised. 

I got through this quietly quickly, however, this was down to me cramming the book before I had to post the review. The pacing wasn’t too bad, but it was very slow to start. Once it got going the story kept good pace and was interesting, but I wasn’t personally a fan of the ending. 

The Shadow in the Glass was a fun, but dark retelling of Cinderella and if you are looking for something a little more intense to read then you should check it out. 

Check out my full review here. 

Goodreads synopsis: “Once upon a time Ella had wished for more than her life as a lowly maid.

Now forced to work hard under the unforgiving, lecherous gaze of the man she once called stepfather, Ella’s only refuge is in the books she reads by candlelight, secreted away in the library she isn’t permitted to enter.

One night, among her beloved books of far-off lands, Ella’s wishes are answered. At the stroke of midnight, a fairy godmother makes her an offer that will change her life: seven wishes, hers to make as she pleases. But each wish comes at a price and Ella must to decide whether it’s one she’s willing to pay it.”

Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin

Read: 13/03/21 – 19/03/21

Guard Your Heart was a lot more intense than I thought it would be. Obviously, I knew it centred around the Northern Ireland peace deal, but I thought because it’s a romance it would be a lot fluffier than it was. 

This book features a lot of serious issues, content warnings are on my full review (linked below), and it was a tougher read than expected. I am however glad that I stuck with it as it really makes you feel. 

Read my full review here. 

Goodreads synopsis: “Derry. Summer 2016. Aidan and Iona, now eighteen, were both born on the day of the Northern Ireland peace deal.

Aidan is Catholic, Irish, and Republican. With his ex-political prisoner father gone and his mother dead, Aidan’s hope is pinned on exam results earning him a one-way ticket out of Derry. To anywhere.

Iona, Protestant and British, has a brother and father in the police. She’s got university ambitions, strong faith and a fervent belief that boys without one-track minds are a myth.

At a post-exam party, Aidan wanders alone across the Peace Bridge and becomes the victim of a brutal sectarian attack. Iona witnessed the attack; picked up Aidan’s phone and filmed what happened, and gets in touch with him to return the phone. When the two meet, alone and on neutral territory, the differences between them seem insurmountable.

Both their fathers held guns, but safer to keep that secret for now.

Despite their differences and the secrets they have to keep from each other, there is mutual intrigue, and their friendship grows. And so what? It’s not the Troubles. But for both Iona and Aidan it seems like everything is keeping them apart when all they want is to be together…”

A Pho Love Story by Loan Le

Read: 23/03/21 – 25/03/21 

A Pho Love Story was another read that I was really looking forward to. I love romance novels centred around food and this one did not disappoint. However, I will say that it wasn’t what I expected. 

I thought the main characters were going to be older than highschool age but this didn’t ruin the book for me. The teen romance was portrayed very well and was actually realistic. 

Be warned that if you read this you will get extremely hungry!

Read my full review here. 

Goodreads synopsis: “All’s fair in love, war and noodles . . .

If Bao Nguyen had to describe himself, he’d say he was a rock. Steady and strong, but not particularly interesting. His grades are average, his social status unremarkable. He works at his parents’ pho restaurant, and even there, he is his parents’ fifth favourite employee.

If Linh Mai had to describe herself, she’d say she was a firecracker. Stable when unlit, but full of potential for joy and spark and fire. She loves art, and she dreams of making a career of it one day. The only problem? Her parents rely on her in ways they’re not willing to admit, including expecting her to work practically full-time at their family’s pho restaurant.

For decades, the Mais and the Nguyens have been at odds, having owned competing, neighbouring pho restaurants. Bao and Linh have resolved never to befriend each other, for fear of pushing too far and bringing on undue heartbreak. But when a chance encounter brings Linh and Bao closer, sparks fly . . .

Can Linh and Bao’s love survive in the midst of feuding families and complicated histories?” 

For once I have actually followed my to be read for the month and I did start Six of Crows last week. I thought I would be finished by now however I haven’t felt like reading and Stardew Valley has taken over my life. I’m expecting to finish Six of Crows either today or tomorrow so I’m saying that it counts. Right?

Let me know what your favourite read of the month was!

WANT TO SEE WHAT I’VE BEEN READING LATELY? CHECK OUT MY GOODREADS HERE

DON’T FORGET TO LIKE AND FOLLOW YOUNG CREATIVE PRESS ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER

Like this post? Why not read this one too? To Be Read: April 2021