Well, I did not have a very good reading month. With just three books finished I think this is my worst month to date – well since I started documenting them on my blog. I really did not have any motivation to read this month and it very clearly shows. I’m going to blame most of this being on working so much and not being used to only having two days off a week. 

I don’t want to ramble too much about work so let’s just get on with the wrap-up, shall we? 

*I was sent every book in this wrap-up in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

Read: 22/04/21 – 03/05/21

This was a super cute and endearing read. Both main characters were interesting and stood out on their own. The double perspectives worked really well with this book as they both had a very clear narrative and at no points did I find myself confused about which character I was reading. 

Real-world issues are touched on in this book such as racism and homophobia so do be aware of that before you think about reading. However, they are handled in a very mature and thought out way. No unnecessary redemption arcs that try to make you like the character in the wrong. Which I really respected as YA can often do this. 

Overall this was a fun, pretty quick read that will appeal to readers of all ages. 

Check out my full review here

Goodreads synopsis: “Everyone likes Humaira “Hani” Khan—she’s easy going and one of the most popular girls at school. But when she comes out to her friends as bisexual, they invalidate her identity, saying she can’t be bi if she’s only dated guys. Panicked, Hani blurts out that she’s in a relationship…with a girl her friends absolutely hate—Ishita “Ishu” Dey. Ishu is the complete opposite of Hani. She’s an academic overachiever who hopes that becoming head girl will set her on the right track for college. But Ishita agrees to help Hani, if Hani will help her become more popular so that she stands a chance of being elected head girl.

Despite their mutually beneficial pact, they start developing real feelings for each other. But relationships are complicated, and some people will do anything to stop two Bengali girls from achieving happily ever after.”

The Boyband Murder Mystery by Ava Eldred 

Read: 03/05/21 – 09/05/21

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun and quirky idea and it was executed very well. 

If you were a part of a fandom you will love the nostalgic feeling that this book brings. It definitely reminded me of my band loving days and that reason made this book all the better. 

The best part about it is that it shows ‘fangirls’ in a really great way. At no point did they come across as obsessive or too over the top – well they were trying to solve a murder case so I’m entirely sure how true that statement is. However, it showed the amazing sides of fandoms that people on the outside never see; making international friends that you know you’ll never meet but they’re your best friends anyway, the power of community and how everyone works together and the pure joy of loving something so much. 

If you are looking for a fun read with a twist of mystery then you should definitely check out The Boyband Murder Mystery. 

Check out my full review here

Goodreads synopsis: “’I have long believed that loving a boyband brings with it a wealth of transferable skills, but I’d never imagined solving a murder would be one of them…’

Harri and her best friends worship Half Light – an internationally famous boyband. When frontman Frankie is arrested on suspicion of murdering his oldest friend Evan, Harri feels like her world’s about to fall apart. But quickly she realises that she – and all the other Half Light superfans out there – know and understand much more about these boys than any detective ever could.

Now she’s rallying a fangirl army to prove Frankie’s innocence – and to show the world that you should never underestimate a teenage girl with a passion…”

Unravel The Dusk (The Blood of Stars #2) by Elizabeth Lim 

Read: 16/05/21 – 31/05/21 

Sadly, I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. After my rave review of the first, which you can check out here, I had extremely high expectations. Which I am now deeply regretting. 

It did take me a very long time to get through it which definitely did not help with my enjoyment. However, I did have times where I could have sat down to read it but didn’t want to. 

I’m not going to talk about this book anymore as I did post the review just yesterday. So, if you want to see my actual thoughts on this book then you can check it out here. 

Goodreads synopsis: “Maia Tamarin’s journey to sew the dresses of the sun, the moon and the stars has taken a grievous toll. She returns to a kingdom on the brink of war. The boy she loves is gone, and she is forced to don the dress of the sun and assume the place of the emperor’s bride-to-be to keep the peace.

But the war raging around Maia is nothing compared to the battle within. Ever since she was touched by the demon Bandur, she has been changing . . . glancing in the mirror to see her own eyes glowing red, losing control of her magic, her body, her mind. It’s only a matter of time before Maia loses herself completely, but she will stop at nothing to find Edan, protect her family, and bring lasting peace to her country.” 

I’m really hoping for a better reading month in June. As I only have one ARC to read and review there will be less time pressure for me to get through books as quickly. Let me know how many books you read in May and which was your favourite!

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

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