Mid Year Freakout Tag

We are half way through this year and almost half way through this month so I thought today would be perfect to finally do the Mid Year Freakout tag. I searched this tag on WordPress so I could find the questions (although there is a little bit of variety it seems like) and the first one I came across is from Rose @ Novels and Teacups.

Best book you have read so far in 2020

I have read so many good books this year but these are the ones that immediately jumped into my head when I read this question.

Best sequel you have read so far in 2020

Morrigan Crow is such a fun series and I love the adventure and journey that these books take the reader on. I think I liked this book more than the first and I’m eagerly anticipating the third book.

New release you haven’t read yet, but want to

Both of these books are on my most anticipated of the year list and I own both of them so there really isn’t much of a reason that I haven’t prioritized them yet.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

I loved these author’s debut books and I have such high hopes for their sophomore effort.

Biggest Disappointment

Locked room mysteries are hands down my favorite trope and I thought this was going to be an easy five star read for me. However, this book focuses more on drama from the characters backgrounds and the actual murder on the island is instead relegated to one of the smallest subplots of the story.

Biggest Surprise

I went into Sawkill Girls expecting a YA magical realism story like Summer of Salt. And while it does have a lot of the same themes as Summer of Salt it is also a horror novel which shocked me. I saw on Twitter that Claire LeGrand is having some serious health issues and my thoughts and prayers are going out to her and I hope she fully recovers from whatever she is going through.

I just raved about Beach Read yesterday but I went into this thinking it was going to be a cute romance and it is so much more than that. This book is so emotional and I connected to so much of it and it is now on my list of favorite books of all time.

I read the first book in the Hades Hangmen series on January 1 while I was at the hospital dealing with my own health issues and was looking for something to help pass the time. I proceeded to read all 9 (or 10?) novels and novellas in this series within the first couple weeks of the year. Hades Hangmen is a dark MC (motorcycle club) romance involving a cult and white supremacy group which just sounds not appealing at all. But the romances in this series are so intense, beautiful and emotional. Tillie Cole really understands people and she takes her characters to the darkest places but she also shows them a way out. I love this series so much but you definitely need to be careful going into them because there are a lot of trigger warnings.

Favorite new author (debut or new to you)

Ok, I’m not going to rave about Emily Henry anymore since you all know that I’m obsessed with her writing but she deserves to be mentioned here.

I read Jayci Lee for the first time back in February with her debut with Harlequin Desire and her second book comes out today. Lee writes compelling characters that have a complex family dynamic and her romances have been so swoon worthy. She also has her second Harlequin Desire novel coming out in September. Oh and if I haven’t sold you on her yet Lee just announced that A Sweet Mess (the one that is out today) has been optioned and Daniel Day Kim is going to produce and star in it! Look out for me review of A Sweet Mess coming soon.

Newest Fictional Crush

Asher is the first one that I thought of. I feel like since I read a lot of romance that I find a lot of the heroes to be swoon worthy but Asher stands out to me because he was a player for my favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers. Which is shallow but also none of these people are real so I’m going with it!

Newest Favorite Character

Stevie is such a great character and I know that teenage me would have looked up to her. I have been dragging my feet on finishing this series but that it something that I would like to do this year.

Book that made you cry

I have never had such a visceral reaction to a book before. Not only did I have tears running down my face by the end of this story but I also felt sick to my stomach. I was so filled with rage at certain moments and what makes it worse is that this book feels like it could be real.

Book that made you happy

The Bride Test is set in my hometown which gives it an obvious edge over other books. I haven’t been back there in six months so this book gives me all the warm feelings. I loved the characters, the romance, the setting and there were some humorous moments.

It is impossible to read the Tea Dragon series and not smile. The artwork alone is stunning and evokes feelings of happiness. Then you read the series and it is filled with so many great lessons about life and love.

Most beautiful book you have read this year (or received)

The classics that I have received from my Coffee and a Classic subscription boxes are absolutely beautiful. These pictures do them no justice. Not only do they look good but they all feel good too. Holding them is such a treat and I am so happy that I own them.

What books do you need to read by the end of the year

I’ve already done a couple of posts this month about books that I still need to read this year. But I also would really love to read the three of these as soon as possible.

2020 Five Star Predictions Update

#ClassicsCommunity Mid Year Update + Book Subscription

~Cassie