Mini Review Monday: The House in the Cerulean Sea & The Roommate

Happy Monday, book nerds!

Remember that time I didn’t post for almost a month? Yeah, me neither. 🙈

Remember that time I used that exact. same. line. the last time I went almost a month without posting? 🤡

Shaming aside, I’ve been super swamped with work and reading like crazy (I think I’m at 12 books so far this month!!). But I’m going to try and get back to a 1-2x/week posting schedule over here, so stay tuned for more updates. In the meantime, scroll on down to check out this week’s edition of Mini Review Monday.

FIRST UP? THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA! Click the links for the full synopsis below!

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Goodreads/Amazon/Interabang Books ⬅️ my local indie!

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

Title & Author: The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune 

Genre: Fantasy

Release Date: March 17, 2020 

Publisher: Tor Books

Series Details: Standalone

Page Count: 398 pages

Rating : 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS

“Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Like-minded people building it up to a roar.”

“Oh dear,” where do I even begin with this gem of a book? What can be said about this remarkable, whimsical read that hasn’t already been said? I guess I’ll start with: 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃. 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒. 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊.

I know you’ve seen it all over with captions like “perfect,” “all the stars,” “exactly what I needed,” and I’m here to jump on that hype train because this book is uplifting magic.

On page one we’re introduced to Linus Baker, a complacent, rule-following 40-year-old, who has worked at DICOMY (the Department In Charge Of Magical Youth) as a case worker for the past 17 years. Stuck in what appears to be an underwhelming & monotonous grind, Linus’s life is shaken up when Extremely Upper Management sends him on a month-long mission to observe the master & 6 dangerous children found within the top secret Marsyas Island Orphanage.

Reluctantly, Linus agrees & from the moment he boards his train to the island we start to see the transition from his dull & drab routine to a technicolor life. It’s akin to Dorothy leaving Kansas for Oz. Or Belle abandoning her provincial life for a magical, Menken-accompanied castle. And just like in those stories, we know we’re about to enter an adventure that will change us forever.

Linus is immediately greeted by the “dangerous” children at the orphanage who simply steal the dang show. This band of “misfits” induced laughter, tears, & one of the most genuine found families I’ve ever experienced on the page. I don’t want to give away their quirks & identities because I think it’s best to discover that on your own, but trust me when I say you’re going to fall hard for at least one of these precocious kiddos.

And even though this story is centered around charming magical youths, this book truly shines because of the themes and messages found within the tale. Tackling everything from identity, prejudice, abuse, and family dynamics this enchanting book delivers an intelligent and inspiring journey that proves we can overcome any obstacle if we remember we’re not alone.

*Shout out to my found family & friend Lilly for gifting me with this beautiful book*

NEXT UP? THE ROOMMATE! Click the links for the full synopsis below!

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Goodreads/Amazon/Interabang Books ⬅️ my local indie!

The Roommate by Rosie Danan

Title & Author: The Roommate by Rosie Danan 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: September 15, 2020  

Publisher: Berkley 

Series Details: Standalone; series will continue with companion novels

Page Count: 336 pages

Rating : 🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS

Thank you to Penguin Publishing Group via Edelweiss for an advanced ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“…the scary things, the ones you spend the most time and energy talking yourself out of, are the ones that make life worth living.”

I’m not going to lie, I was initially lured to this book from that bubblegum pink cover! Once I read the synopsis, however, I assumed I knew the journey I would be on and rushed to request & download this eARC.

You can imagine my surprise, however, when I picked up this book and found it was full of reveals and twists I’ve never seen featured in a romance novel before. I absolutely adored the originality and setting, which I won’t reveal for spoiler purposes, but keep reading to see why this book is a must this season.

Clara Wheaton is an East Coast socialite that’s pined after her childhood crush for more than a decade. When he invites her to drop everything and move across the country into his LA apartment she jumps at the chance. But Clara isn’t even able to unpack her bags before her beau-to-be, Everett, ditches her for a summer-long tour with his band. Adding to her troubles, Clara soon finds out Everett has rented his now available room to the charming and charismatic Josh. A total — albeit cute — stranger.

Wasting zero time, Clara quickly establishes house rules to ensure their boundaries never blend. Rules that seem to keep the chaos at bay, until Clara learns about Josh’s scandalous “claim to fame.” And when Josh discovers Clara Googling him shortly thereafter, their relationship takes a drastic — and steamy– turn.

“Every body is different, but none of them are wrong.”

You see, Clara’s collected more Ivy League diplomas than partner-assisted orgasms throughout her life, and Josh might just be the key to helping her — and the rest of the female population — fix this infrequently discussed problem. With the aid of Josh’s diverse coworkers, they work together to launch a business venture that puts the Big O in its objective.

Balancing fun and flirty scenes with deeper examinations into societal stigmas, The Roommate provides a cast — and sex-positive plot line — that will have readers cheering for these underdogs. Watching the two MCs conquer their fears, tackle real-life prejudices, and evolve into their shameless selves is such a joyous journey, and I can’t wait for more of you to experience it.

TW: Disownment, car accidents, revenge porn, sex/masturbation

How are we liking the Mini Review Monday posts? Do you guys enjoy the titles selected? Genres? That they’re all 2020 publications? Let me know below!   

And, as always: Happy Reading!

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