🕮 Mid Year Book Freakout Tag 🕮

This year is flying by. I'm not going to lie, I am counting down the days until Christmas... 181 days! And I may be listening to Christmas music while writing this post... That's besides the point though. It is now time to do the Mid Year Freak Out Tag! 

I unfortunately don't have anyone to tag... I've been out of the book blogging community for a little while now and I feel like I don't quite have any friends yet. 

I am going to do this a little bit differently... I kind of want to do three books per question to make it more in depth and it won't feel like I'm just using the same book for each question. I did skip a few questions that I honestly didn't feel like answering 🤣 But that's okay because I had three books per question anyway. 

Best Book(s) You've Read So Far

I recently had the pleasure to read Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann. I know I am super behind on reading this book. I am so glad I finally got to it. This book is beautifully dark. Our two main characters, Cora and Dean, get kidnapped together and they grow to love and respect each other during this time. I loved this book. Keep your triggers in mind for this book as it is a dark romance. 

I read Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver earlier this year on a Sunday. Literally all in one sitting. I could not put the damn thing down. It's addicting. It's hilarious. It's dark. All of my good triggers that's going to tell me it's going to be a good book. I am sooo excited to read the second book! Again, check your triggers for this one. 

Again, I am behind on books because I don't like to read what everyone else is reading at the same time apparently. I read Part Of Your World by Abby Jimenez this month and I was floored. This book had me so mad at Alexis's family and how awful they are. I read this through audiobook and I was fuming in my car because I wanted to beat her dad up so bad. This was a fantastic book and I'm glad Abby Jimenez is getting so much love.

Best Sequel(s) You've Read So Far

Words cannot express how much I love Elsie Silver. I have technically read two sequels from the Chestnut Springs series but I think Powerless might be my favorite. It's honestly so hard to choose because Reckless was so good too. Elsie Silver is a goddess with books. She truly is.

This is a courtesy one... I read House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas and it did not live up to my expectations. This book was not everything I wanted it to be. It was still good and I still gave it four stars. There were parts that were a bit too convenient for my tastes. 

Mercy by Sara Cate.... This book. I have read a lot of books of men being dominants. I believe this may be my first book where the woman is the dominant in the relationship. I found Maggie bossing Beau around and being in charge very hot. This book was so good and I think it's my favorite in this series so far. 

New Release(s) You Haven't Read Yet

Ali Hazelwood is one of my favorite traditionally published romance authors. Unfortunately, I am behind on her releases. Bride is one that I've been dying to get to. I've seen some mixed reviews so I am a bit hesitant to go into it. It's also a new thing for her so I'm worried that I may not like it.

I am a sucker for Leigh Bardugo's adult books. When I heard that she was releasing one this year, I thought I would get to it ASAP. Sadly, The Familiar is still sitting on my shelves. I have two gorgeous editions of this book and I'm hoping I love it!

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi is one that I am conflicted about. I haven't read anything by this author yet and I'm a bit skeptical. The reviews on Goodreads are pretty mid. I feel like I'm either going to really love this book or hate it. We shall see..

Most Anticipated Release(s) For The Second Half Of The Year

I think The Songbird & The Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent is going to be on a lot of people's most anticipated release. The first duology of this series really took me by storm. I was obsessed. I honestly can't even remember who this duology is going to follow but nothing can stop me from being excited for this book.

Lana Ferguson seems like she's going to turn into an auto-buy author for me. There is another book I still need to read from her. I feel like The Game Changer is going to be the book that decides whether or not I'm running to the store to buy her releases the day they come out. 

Tessa Bailey's new series, Big Shots, is probably going to be my favorite series of hers. The Au Pair Affair comes out later this year and I'm very excited to see what Tessa does with a hockey romance. 

Biggest Disappointment(s)

I've seen so many romance lovers going on and on about For The Fans by Nyla K. Unfortunately, I thought this book read really young and I couldn't stand the way the characters talked. And I'm pretty sure this is a "gay for only you" kind of book.

Like I said earlier, House of Flame and Shadow didn't live up to what I wanted it to be. It honestly was so long and I don't think it needed to be. Again, it had way too many conveniences. I will say that I am excited to read more from other characters in this series.

I read Gothikana by RyNyx earlier this year and I just was not vibing with this book. It looks like it's a me thing because it has pretty good reviews on Goodreads. I hope I like other books by this author though!

Biggest Surprise(s)

One of my goals for this year was to expand the genres I read. I decided to pick up The Southern Book Club's Guide To Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix and I really enjoyed this book. It was highly entertaining and the audiobook was fantastic. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Grady Hendrix.

A Fate Inked In Blood wasn't a huge surprise, as I have read and enjoyed books already by Danielle L. Jensen. Although, I did think that it was going to be boring at first. Luckily, I enjoyed it so much! I can't wait for the next book. 

I'm not going to lie... I thought I was going to hate The Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy. Well, I read The Deal and I was proved completely wrong. I still have only read the first book in this series but I feel like it's going to be a favorite. 

Favorite New Author(s) (Debut Or New To You)

Giana Darling is an author that's been on my radar for quite some time now. When Serpentine Valentine was released earlier this year, I knew I had to read it. I love a dark romance with a revenge plot. This book was sooo good. I can't wait to read more of her backlist.

If you know me, you know I love a good Romantasy. Holly Renee got me addicted with The Veiled Kingdom. I was lucky to receive a PR package with this book. I loved it, I'm dying for the second one. I definitely want more of her books!

I also read Sav R. Miller for the first time this year. I read Promises and Pomegranates because a friend of mine read and loved it. This book was pretty unhinged but I had a blast with it.

What Books Do You Need To Read By The End Of The Year

I am trying to read all of Carissa Broadbent's books this year. I'm wanting to start Daughter of No Worlds soon. I am hoping to binge the trilogy while I have some time off work. We will see if that actually happens.

I have had my eyes on Out On A Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young for a while. I just purchased the physical copy with a gift card I received from work. So hopefully I get to it soon!

Everyone and their mother has already read Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. I'm actually pretty shocked that I haven't gotten spoiled for this book yet. I am hoping I get to this one really soon before I do get spoiled for it. 

What are some of your answers?