January Wrap Up! 📚

Hello everyone It's Nicole Henderson here and it is that time of the month where I talk about the books I've read this past month. I read a total of five books which is not so bad, but I really wanted to read a lot more. But I know that I'm going to pressure and force myself into reading more books then I can handle and thats not good. Anyways, it was a pretty great reading month for me. I read a lot of really amazing books and hopefully February will be just as awesome. So, without any further ado, let's get into the books I read in January. 

 The first book I read this month was Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz. I've read the Blue Bloods series by her and I really enjoyed it. So I wanted to read something that was more lighthearted from her and I'm so glad I did. This book deals with more serious issues like immigration as the main characters family become illegal immigrants and have to face the possibilities of being deported. Jasmine has everything she has ever wanted (a good family, great friends, and a scholarship award that takes her to any school she wants). But when she receives the scholarship award and goes to tell her parents, they explain to her that their visas have been expired and they are living in America illegally. In an instant, her whole life has changed and she now must face the possibility of getting deported. In the process, she develops a romance with this boy named Royce (who may or may not have the ability to help Jasmine stay in America). 


This book really got me to think about the different realities that people face as being immigrants. Since I'm not an immigrant, this book really helped me to understand and educate myself on such an important issue that is immigration. I loved the romance between  Jasmine and Royce, I thought they were such a great couple who supported each other through the ups and downs of what happens throughout this book. The friends were also very supportive towards Jasmine as well. Since she is a cheerleader, I loved how none of the stereotypical cheerleader types were included in this book. It just felt very real and raw and I believe that's what made this book so fantastic. Anyways, I highly recommend you go read this if you haven't done so already. I rated this a 5/5 stars. 

The next book I read was P.S I Still Love You by Jenny Han. This is the second book To The All The Boys I've Loved Before trilogy. I really enjoyed the first book, minus Lara Jean being very immature for her age (that aggravated me so much). But I thought I would give this second book a chance. I liked this book equally to the first book. My thoughts and opinions haven't really changed from the first book moving over to this one. I won't give away too much on what this book is about because it is a sequel. But I will say that she has a boyfriend and everything is going great. However, when a boy from her past enters her life, she must deal with the issue of being in love with two boys at the same time. So, there is a love triangle going on but it felt very obvious as to who Lara Jean was going to pick in the end. 



I feel that Lara Jean has definitely matured (since the first book) but she still remains a child at heart. The characters were extremely realistic and to an extent I thought that I could connect with Lara Jean a whole lot better than in the first book. My other issue was the ending. I thought that it just ended very abruptly and unexpectedly, like something more was going to come out of it. Which is why there is going to be a third book and I think that will finally close the story of Lara Jean and her relationship (as well as with her family). I'm actually looking forward to the final book coming out in May this year, and I want to see what direction this book takes. If you guys are looking for lighthearted, fun, fluffy reads, then these are the books for you. I also highly recommend checking out The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy. I rated this a 4/5 stars. 

The third book I read was Seven Ways We Lie by Riley Redgate. I've had my eye on this book for awhile now but I never picked it up. I liked the synopsis and the concept of this story was very intriguing with the seven deadly sins. I really thought I was going to enjoy it but unfortunately it wasn't the greatest book I've read. I won't tell you guys what the book is about because it's best to go into it without knowing a whole lot about the book. But it does revolve around seven different perspectives of teenagers who all go to the same high school and they must face the issues of different high school experiences. Each character also represents the seven deadly sins (Greed, Gluttony, Lust, Envy, Sloth, Wrath, Pride). 

I thought I was going to enjoy this a lot more than I did. But I only liked it. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and it felt like I was on the outside looking into their lives and not fully in the characters heads. It pretty much felt like I was watching a new movie for the first time. I've only heard some mixed reviews going into this book and I liked it more than I hated it. Basically, I liked it but didn't love it. I only gave this book a 3/5 stars. 

The fourth book I read this month was Under the Lights by Abbi Glines. This is the second book to the Until Friday Night companion series. I say companion because it does take place in the same town as the previous book, but it deals with different  characters. This time around it deals with three characters Willa, Gunner and Brady. There is a love triangle that goes on throughout this book, but when you read it, it's very obvious as to who Willa picks in the end. Willa has made some pretty horrible decisions that have lead her to come back to the small town. Brady is the cousin of Maggie (from the first book) and he's the golden boy on the football team. Meanwhile, Gunner is the town's bad boy who only thinks about himself. He has also gone through some pretty messed up stuff with his family so he's very closed off when it comes to love. And the rest of the story takes off from there as they try to navigate issues in the town as well as their relationships.  

This was such a great sequel and I definitely plan on reading more from this series. The characters were very relatable and I felt that I could connect with them. Since the book focuses more on Gunner and Willa, I didn't think it was all that necessary to include Brady in the story, but including him still worked for how the book was planned out. I also thought that Gunner's family life was a little over the top and dramatic. Willa's issues were the most realistic for me in which people could relate to it a lot more. Anyways, if you haven't read anything by Abbi Glines, I highly suggest you do so. I've only read The Vincent Boys duology and they are such great books. But I rated this a 4/5 stars. 

The last and final book I read this month was Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. She also wrote the Grisha trilogy (which I've heard some mixed reviews on). And this book takes place two years after the Grisha trilogy as well as in the same universe as the trilogy. The story revolves around Kaz Brekker and his crew (Inej, Nina, Mattheis, Jesper and Wylan) as they are offered to go on an incredible heist to 'kidnap' this scientist that is responsible for some drug from the Ice Court. I don't want to explain any further than that (and I apologize if I spoiled anything). Romances develop and the book gets more intense as the story progresses. It was a highly addicting read and I can't wait for more. 

I felt that I could connect with the characters even though there all so different from each other. I loved how diverse the characters were because diversity hasn't appeared often in YA for so long (but it's reoccurring a lot more in books now, which I love). They each make a great crew despite all their differences and I appreciate how well they get along with each other (towards the end). I loved how there were some funny moments mixed in with the super intense ones. Plus, Kaz and Inej are like my fave couple thus far. I ship them hardcore! I also love Nina and Inej's friendship and it's nice how they support each other with numerous issues. Anyways, if you haven't read this book, then I highly suggest you do. It is amazing and I rated this, of course, a 5/5 stars. 

That is it for this months wrap up, I hope you enjoyed. What books did you read this month? Let me know in the comments. I plan to read just a little more in February, but lets see how I do. Happy reading and until my next post, goodbye for now. 😊