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Showing posts from August, 2025

Book Review: Fall with Me by Becka Mack — Jaxson Owns My Heart Forever πŸ’™πŸ’

 Where do I even begin? Fall with Me is nothing short of perfect. From the very first page, Becka Mack had me completely hooked, and by the time I finished, I was a puddle of happy, emotional tears πŸ₯Ή. This book isn’t just another installment in the Playing for Keeps series—it feels like the heart of it, the story that ties together everything I’ve loved about these characters while also delivering something fresh, emotional, and unforgettable. Let’s talk about Jaxson. I went in thinking nobody could ever dethrone Garrett from the top spot in my heart (Garrett was untouchable, okay?). But oh, how wrong I was. Jaxson didn’t just win me over—he completely stole the show πŸ’˜. There’s this perfect mix to his character: the fierce protector who would burn the world down for the people he loves πŸ”₯, the man carrying hidden vulnerabilities that make him feel so achingly real, and the romantic who loves with such unwavering devotion that you can’t help but melt. He skyrocketed to number one...

Book Review: Unravel Me (Playing for Keeps #3) — Adam and Rosie’s Love Story Melted My Heart πŸ’•

Finishing Unravel Me felt like a milestone in my Playing for Keeps journey. By now, I’m so invested in this world and these characters that opening each new book feels like catching up with old friends. And honestly? I had really, really high expectations for this one. Maybe it’s because Adam has always been my favorite since the start, or maybe it’s because Play With Me raised the bar so high, but when I closed this book, I found myself feeling just a tiny bit underwhelmed—not disappointed, just like som ething small was missing. Still, there’s no denying that I loved this story, and Adam officially holds the crown as my favorite hero of the series. Let’s talk about Adam first, because wow. He is everything a romance hero should be—protective, dependable, loving, and so steady in his devotion to Rosie. He never wavered, never let outside noise or past scars come between them. And while I adored him as a partner, I think what sealed the deal for me was watching him step into that fat...

Are We Heading Into a Generational Reading Abyss?

Okay, I need to rant about something that’s been living rent-free in my head. The other day, I was hanging out with my 15-year-old cousin. We were watching The Summer I Turned Pretty (because of course we were), and she kept saying the show needed more episodes to really flesh out the story. And I’m sitting there thinking: girl, the answers are right there in book form . So naturally, I said, “You know, if you want more details, you should just read the books.” You would have thought I asked her to sacrifice her soul to a dark lord. The look on her face was actual shock. She blinked at me like I had just suggested she run a marathon barefoot on hot asphalt. Apparently, the idea of opening up three coming-of-age novels is on par with torture these days. I tried to reason with her—I told her the books have way more depth, little details that the show skips over, moments that make you connect with the characters in a different way. I wasn’t saying they’re the next great works of liter...

Book Review: Funny Story by Emily Henry — My First Emily Henry Experience πŸ’­πŸ“–

✨ First Emily Henry Read! ✨ Book Review: Funny Story by Emily Henry — My First Emily Henry Experience πŸ’­πŸ“– So, I finally picked up my very first Emily Henry book! I’ve seen her name everywhere—bookstagram, TikTok, friends recommending her romances—and I thought, okay, time to see what all the hype is about. I decided to start with Funny Story , which seemed light, fun, and exactly what I was in the mood for. And while it was definitely an easy book to get through, I came away with some mixed feelings. Let me start with the part that worked best for me: Daphne and Miles. Their relationship absolutely carried this story. I loved how it didn’t rely on big dramatic moments or unrealistic tropes, but instead grew slowly and naturally. They made sense together, both balancing each other out while also learning to grow as individuals. Nothing about their romance felt forced, and by the end, I was rooting for them because they really earned it. Somewhere along the way, my brain decided M...

Book Review: Play With Me by Becka Mack — Garrett Just Stole the Whole Series for Me πŸ’πŸ’«

Ever finish a book and just sit there for a second, hugging your Kindle (or physical copy!) to your chest with that goofy, utterly satisfied smile you couldn’t wipe away even if you tried? That was me at 1 a.m. last night, turning the final page of Play With Me . This book was everything I needed it to be, and honestly? It might just be my favorite of the Playing for Keeps series so far. And after how much I adored Consider Me , that’s saying a lot. πŸ“š❤️ From the very first chapter, it reeled me in with its pitch-perfect blend of humor, sizzling chemistry, and genuine heart. I went in expecting to have fun, but what I didn’t expect was just how completely Garrett would steal the spotlight. I might actually like him more than Carter—a sentence I truly never thought I’d type, but here we are! The Quiet, Steady Swoon πŸ›‘️πŸ’– Where Carter radiates golden-retriever energy—loud, magnetic, always the center of the room (and forever lovable πŸ˜‰)—Garrett is the complete opposite in the most irr...

From Brooding Bad Boys to Goodest Boys: The Rise of the Golden Retriever Book Boyfriend πŸ•‍πŸ¦ΊπŸ’›

     If you’ve spent any time in the wild, wonderful world of romance novels lately, you’ve felt the shift. The air is getting… sunnier. The male leads are becoming… sweeter. The brooding billionaire with a tortured past and a penchant for growling commands is still on the shelf (and let’s be real, he always will be πŸ˜‰), but he’s now sharing prime real estate with a new archetype: the Golden Retriever Book Boyfriend. πŸ•‍🦺✨           You know the one. He’s the hockey player who’s more likely to bring you a puppy than give you a smoldering glare from across a bar. He’s the sunshine to the heroine’s grumpy, the human embodiment of a warm hug, the guy whose love language is enthusiastic support and goofy, unfiltered joy.       I have this on the brain because my current reads are a masterclass in the type. I’m halfway through Emily Henry’s Funny Story and just started Becka Mack’s Play With Me (yes, I’m a glutton for the Play...

Book Review: Consider Me by Becka Mack — A Swoony Romance That Left Me Wanting More πŸ€”πŸ’–πŸ“–

     Ever have one of those reading moods where you just need to disappear into something fun, steamy, and utterly captivating? A book that feels like a warm hug and a flutter in your chest all at once? 😍 That was my exact headspace when I picked up *Consider Me*. Promised a delicious sports romance, it delivered on its core promise with gusto, wrapping me up in a world of athletic charm and sparkling wit. πŸ”₯      From the very first page, protagonists Carter and Ollie didn’t just meet—they exploded onto the scene with enough chemistry to power a small city. ⚡️ Carter is the quintessential golden boy athlete, all cocky grins and effortless charm on the surface, but with a hidden, tender heart that absolutely wrecked me. πŸ˜©πŸ’˜ And Ollie? She is his perfect match in every sense: fiercely independent, brilliantly sharp-tongued, and so self-assured that she never lets him get away with a thing. Watching their dynamic unfold was a masterclass in tension. Their b...

Welcome to my little library!

Books have always been more than just stories to me—they’re companions, adventures, and safe havens all wrapped in paper and ink. They’ve comforted me on hard days, kept me company on lonely nights, and sparked endless daydreams. As a psychologist, I spend my days helping people navigate the real world, and reading has always been my favorite escape—a chance to step into different lives, feel new emotions, and explore worlds beyond my own. After years of quietly collecting stories that shaped me, I thought: why not create a little corner of the internet to share them more personally? I already post my reviews on Goodreads, but here, I want to go beyond the rating and share the moments that made me laugh, cry, stay up too late, or fall in love with characters. Nanda’s Little Library is my space to be honest, reflective, and playful about the books I read. Here, you’ll find a mix of everything I love: swoony romances πŸ’• that make my heart race, emotional fantasies πŸ‰πŸ’” that tear me apar...