What’s one series installment you’re excited f What’s one series installment you’re excited for this year? πŸ“š
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After the dramatic ending of The Ballad of Never After, I’m counting down til the release of A Curse for True Love! 🦊 I need to know what happens next because I’m going absolutely nuts right now πŸ˜…
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I’m also so excited for Foxglove, The Brothers Hawthorne, This Cursed Light, and Threads of Power - a few series continuations that I just know are gonna be phenomenal! πŸ™ŒπŸΌ
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Are any of these on your radar? πŸ‘€
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Do you plan to read romance books during Love Mont Do you plan to read romance books during Love Month? 🀎
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Pretty much my entire TBR this month is just cute romances and I can’t wait to dive in πŸ“– 
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Some of the titles I’m most excited about:
πŸŽ“ Begin Again by Emma Lord
πŸ“š Exes and O’s by Amy Lea
🌻 In the Weeds by B.K. Borison
πŸ’• Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
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Have you read any of these or are any of them on your TBR? πŸ“
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What are your favorite high seas adventure books? What are your favorite high seas adventure books? πŸ΄β€β˜ οΈ

If I’m being totally truthful, I haven’t read that many of them BUT I just finished my reread of All the Stars and Teeth and was reminded how much I love it 😍 I need more books like this! 🌊

Give me recommendations for books with pirates, mermaids and sirens, island curses, and other high seas goodness βš“οΈ

Have you read All the Stars and Teeth? πŸ§œπŸΌβ€β™€οΈ

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How would your favorite book character take their How would your favorite book character take their coffee? β˜•οΈ
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My favorite fictional character of all time is Genya Safin from the Grishaverse 🀍 This badass Tailor has a taste for the finer things and would absolutely drink a deliciously dark roast with notes of cherry, walnut, and rich chocolate 🀀 I think she would enjoy a café au lait -- drip coffee with steamed milk -- that David prepared for her in a drip coffee contraption of his own making 🫢🏼
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Did I go way too in-depth on this just because I love these characters and coffee a little too much? πŸ™ˆ Maybe I did, but it was fun πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™€οΈ
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How do YOU take your coffee? 🀎
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What was your last 5-star romance read? ⭐️ It What was your last 5-star romance read? ⭐️

It was absolutely wonderful to end 2022 with Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez 😍 I don’t like to pick favorites when it comes to my top authors, but this adorable fake dating romance may very well be my favorite book by her! πŸ™ŒπŸΌ

I’m a seriously picky romance reader, but Abby’s blend of sweetness and substance never ceases to amaze me and Yours Truly was no exception 🀎 Just like her previous novels, this one made me cry my eyes out as I saw bits and pieces of myself in each of the characters πŸ₯Ή It was just SO GOOD, y’all, and you can find the full review on my blog! 🫢🏼

Are you planning to pick up Yours Truly when it comes out in April? πŸ“– Have you read any of Abby’s other phenomenal romance novels? πŸ₯°

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What was the last book you read in one sitting? πŸ’

Honestly, it’s not very often that I finish a book in one day - either because I find myself too busy or I just can’t concentrate for such a long period of time πŸ˜…

BUT every once in a while, I have a weekend day where I can just fully sink into a story and enjoy it from start to finish without distractions πŸ“– That’s what I did with BEACH READ last Sunday and it was wonderful πŸ₯° I read it when it first came out, but this time, I really got to enjoy it in a new way - and I couldn’t put it down! πŸ™ˆ 

If only I could have more days like that πŸ˜‚ Have you read Beach Read or anything else by Emily Henry? β˜€οΈ

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Why did you join bookstagram? πŸ“– β €β €β €β €β € Why did you join bookstagram? πŸ“–
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Today is my third bookstaversary, friends! 🀎 I can't begin to express how thankful I am for this wonderful community and how it has impacted my life over the last three years πŸ₯Ή
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As many of you know, I was a full-time fashion blogger for over five years and somewhere along the line, I found that I just didn't love it anymore πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™€οΈ I wanted to find somewhere I could truly be myself and spend more time talking about fantasy novels, crisp autumn mornings, a great cup of coffee, and how to achieve the ultimate cozy lifestyle β˜•οΈ
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I joined bookstagram in 2020, thinking it would just be a fun little hobby to have on the side while I continued my fashionista hustle... and a year later, I rebranded EVERYTHING to The Espresso Edition πŸ™ŒπŸΌ I've made talking about books and coziness my full-time gig and I couldn't be happier about it 😍
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Thank you all for welcoming me to this wild and wonderful corner of the internet πŸ™ˆ Cheers to tons more bookish goodness! πŸ“š
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How long have you been on bookstagram? πŸ“±
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Would you take the protagonist of your current rea Would you take the protagonist of your current read for a cup of coffee? β˜•οΈ
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There have been quite a few characters I've read about this month who I'd love to sit down and chat with over a hot bev πŸ₯°
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However, from my current reads, I would NOT take anyone from Jade Legacy (because you never know who might end up unaliving), I'd definitely take both Kell and Lila from A Darker Shade of Magic, I'm not entirely sure I'd enjoy coffee with Katniss from The Hunger Games (since she's not the most exciting conversationalist), but I'd absolutely love chatting it up with Alina from Shadow and Bone! πŸ™ŒπŸΌ
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Have you read any of the books I'm currently reading? πŸ“š
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What is a spin-off series that you prefer over the What is a spin-off series that you prefer over the originals? πŸ“š

This past year, I either began or finished a few spin-off series that I found myself enjoying even more than their predecessors πŸ™ˆ The Dreamer Trilogy (the first of which is featured here) BLEW ME AWAY even though I just *sorta-kinda* liked The Raven Cycle 😱 But there I was, sobbing my eyes out at the end of Greywaren 😭 So freaking good! πŸ™ŒπŸΌ

Typically I’m all about the OG series (like Shadow and Bone), but every once in a while, there’s a really great spin-off or continuation that I wind up just loving! 🀩 I’m excited to discover even more this year πŸ—“οΈ

Have you read The Dreamer Trilogy yet? πŸ’­

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Books, Reviews · October 12, 2020

Book Review: Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds

A huge thank-you toΒ the author for this gifted copy ofΒ Early DeparturesΒ by Justin A. Reynolds.

early departures book lying open with a mug of coffee, a sweater, mini pumpkins, and a lit candle

Let me introduce you to Early Departures, a young adult contemporary novel that’s about to change your life.

I knew Early Departures was going to be phenomenal from the moment Justin Reynolds announced it. I could tell that he put his heart and soul into the story and that only made me more excited to read it.

I took pretty detailed notes as I read, but when I sat down to write my review, all I could think to say was, “Oh my gosh it’s so good please read it right away,” which… isn’t a review – it’s just the way I feel about it. However, I did actually manage to eventually gather all my thoughts to create a full, honest review. Keep on scrolling to learn more about Early Departures.


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The Best Magical Realism Books // 21 Underrated Authors and Their Best Books // Mental Health Rep in Fictional Books
a mug of coffee on top of early departures book with a lit candle in the background

My honest review ofΒ Early DeparturesΒ by Justin A. Reynolds.

Synopsis:

Justin A. Reynolds, author ofΒ Opposite of Always,Β delivers another smart, funny, and powerful stand-alone YA contemporary novel, with a speculative twist in which Jamal’s best friend is brought back to life after a freak accident . . . but they only have a short time together before he will die again.

Jamal’s best friend, Q, doesn’t know he’s about to die . . . again.

He also doesn’t know that Jamal tried to save his life, rescuing him from drowning only to watch Q die later in the hospital. Even more complicated, Jamal and Q haven’t been best friends in two yearsβ€”not since Jamal’s parents died in a car accident, leaving him and his sister to carry on without them. Grief swallowed Jamal whole, and he blamed Q for causing the accident.

But what if Jamal could have a second chance? An impossible chance that would grant him the opportunity to say goodbye to his best friend? A new health-care technology allows Q to be reanimatedβ€”brought back to life like the old Q again. But there’s a catch: Q will only reanimate for a short time before he dies . . . forever.

Jamal is determined to make things right with Q, but grief is hard to shake. And he can’t tell Q why he’s suddenly trying to be friends with him again. Because Q has no idea that he died, and Q’s mom is not about to let anyone ruin the miracle by telling him. How can Jamal fix his friendship with Q if he can’t tell him the truth?

Content Warnings:Β (Major) untimely death and tragedy, depression and anxiety, grief

β€œAnd I suppose the story moral is:
You can die and still live on.
You can be alive but be consumed by death.
The difference between living and being alive is:
Everything.”

Early Departures

After reading Opposite of Always, I knew I had found a new favorite author. When Reynolds announced Early Departures, I immediately added it to my reading list and anxiously anticipated the release date.

I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting with this book, but I will tell you that it was full of surprises. 

You meet childhood best friends, Jamal and Quincy (or β€œQ”), who haven’t actually been best friends in nearly two years. They haven’t even spoken – until an altercation at a party where things get a little out of hand. Shortly after, Q dies (despite Jamal attempting to save his life). Jamal finds himself in an increasingly uncomfortable situation when Q’s mom agrees to have her son reanimated. Yep, Quincy will live again – but only for a short amount of time… and there’s a catch: he’s not allowed to know that he died or the details surrounding his death.

This story was the epitome of an emotional roller coaster. You see, I expected to cry. When reading about a book that covers the topic of death – especially the death of a best friend or parents; really any tragedy – I assume that I’ll be swiping away tears on the regular. What I didn’t expect was the sudden fits of laughter that would follow the tears or even happen while I was still crying. The author did a fantastic job creating an environment that felt natural despite the somewhat β€œunnatural” elements throughout the book. 

Some of my favorite moments were entirely unrelated to Quincy. Jamal’s older sister, Whit, is a force to be reckoned with. She brings light and joy into parts of the story that need it the most. There is a massive emphasis on the importance of family (the one you’re given AND the one you choose) and it’s incredibly heartwarming. 

I often wonder which is more important in a novel: the plot or the characters. While I typically believe the plot is most important, I really appreciate good character development. One thing that this book definitely does not lack is great character development – but the best part? It also has an amazing plot. It truly is the best of both worlds. The characters and their relationships are believable and relatable.

Honestly, I could continue writing for ages about how this story impacted me in millions of ways, but rather than detailing it all out and leaving nothing to the imagination, I’m just going to plead with you to read it for yourself. You will definitely not regret it.


Purchase the book
Early Departures – Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop | Target
pages flipping in a book next to a french press and mug of coffee, mini pumpkins, and a candle

Will you be reading Early Departures?


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In: Books, Reviews · Tagged: book review, Early Departures, Justin A. Reynolds, standalone book, young adult contemporary, young adult novel

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Comments

  1. Robert says

    October 12, 2020 at 9:53 AM

    Sounds like another great read from your detailed review. Always on the look out for new publications and authors. Will definitely check this one out. Have also Pinned for future reference. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 12, 2020 at 6:10 PM

      I am lucky to read a lot of great books, but this is hands down one of the best I’ve read all year (if not of all time). It was so meaningful! Thanks for pinning πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Jennifer Prince says

    October 12, 2020 at 9:55 AM

    Ha! I love that you adored it SO much. That’s a fabulous recommendation in my book. No extras needed. I really need to make reading books more of a priority for 2021!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 12, 2020 at 6:11 PM

      I hope you’re able to make that happen. It’s definitely about prioritization, you’re right. For me, books are at the top of my list!

      Reply
  3. Lucy says

    October 12, 2020 at 10:00 AM

    This is a book and author I haven’t heard of before but this book does sound like an interesting read! x

    Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 12, 2020 at 6:12 PM

      I highly recommend checking out his work! I listened to the audiobook of Opposite of Always at the beginning of the year, then purchased a physical copy this summer. Now I’ve read the paper format for Early Departures, and I know I’ll want to read it again and again. It is SO good! His writing just GETS ME.

      Reply
  4. Lizzie says

    October 12, 2020 at 12:51 PM

    Aw that sounds like such an amazing book! It’s so incredible how an author’s words are able to evoke a variety of emotions like that!

    Lizzie
    http://www.lizzieinlace.com

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 12, 2020 at 6:12 PM

      It was seriously impactful. I haven’t read anything quite like this before and I loved every second of it. His work is just phenomenal!

      Reply
  5. Lindsey says

    October 12, 2020 at 2:52 PM

    Oh wow, this sounds like an incredible read. Books that can make you laugh and cry are good, but when they’re doing it at the same time, you know you’re onto a winner. Fantastic review, I’ll definitely be looking out for this one. Great review!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 12, 2020 at 6:13 PM

      I definitely hope you get a chance to read it for yourself. The author is one of my all-time favorites! I loved this book so much. It was so unique.

      Reply
  6. Jaya Avendel says

    October 12, 2020 at 4:37 PM

    I love books that take us on an emotional story. Laughter and tears are two of the hardest feelings to feel unless the writing takes us straight to the center of the story. This may be a fat book, but it sounds like one that cannot be long enough!

    Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 12, 2020 at 6:14 PM

      Haha! I wouldn’t consider it very fat. It’s only 470 pages and reads very quickly. It’s also phenomenal as an audiobook! Whichever way you choose to read it, it’s wonderful.

      Reply
  7. Ellie says

    October 12, 2020 at 5:22 PM

    Great review πŸ™‚ I’ve never heard of this author before but this book sounds really up my street πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 12, 2020 at 6:14 PM

      He’s one of my favorites! His writing is so emotional and raw. I love how he can make you laugh and cry in the same paragraph!

      Reply
  8. Charity says

    October 12, 2020 at 7:28 PM

    That sounds like a great read! I will have to add it to my list!

    Reply
  9. Genesis @ Whispering Chapters says

    October 12, 2020 at 8:26 PM

    I’ve only experienced the cry-laugh with a show: One Day at a Tike. It touches such heavy topics while also keeping things light and comedic. It’s a series I highly recommend.
    I haven’t had the greatest luck with Magical Realism. But this one does sounds captivating.

    Reply
  10. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    October 12, 2020 at 9:35 PM

    I love that this book gave you some surprise and some laughter! You’re right – a book about death? I’d expect to be crying, too.

    Reply
  11. Tara Fuller says

    October 12, 2020 at 9:42 PM

    definitely saving to my reading list! some books I initially credit for younger audiences end up being some of my absolute favorites! Can’t wait to read it!

    Reply
  12. Anika says

    October 13, 2020 at 3:08 AM

    Sounds like a great YA! I loved Opposite of Always by Reynolds, the amount of depth it had really impressed me. And I love the premise for this one so I’ll have to add this one to my list too. Great review!

    Anika | chaptersofmay.com

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 14, 2020 at 2:23 PM

      Oh! It makes me SO happy to hear that you read Opposite of Always. Reynolds is so talented and has such a fun writing style. I definitely think you’ll enjoy this if you enjoyed OoA!

      Reply
  13. Graham Crosby says

    October 13, 2020 at 4:15 AM

    Great review. Sounds like a fantastic book. The characters sound intriguing and the narrative seems like something a reader can get their teeth into.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. Pam says

    October 13, 2020 at 10:03 AM

    aaah this was such a great review! I love how you captured the love and passion that the author put into the book. Definitely saving to my reading list!

    Reply
  15. Oh to Be a Muse says

    October 13, 2020 at 11:48 AM

    I love a good book review, and this is a great book to recommend. Such a unique concept!

    Reply
  16. Carrington | Chaos and Coffee says

    October 13, 2020 at 11:51 AM

    This sounds like such a good book! I’ll definitely have to add this to my read-list! Xx.

    Reply
  17. Katie Meshko says

    October 13, 2020 at 12:08 PM

    This book sounds so interesting & these pictures are so cozy! Makes me want to curl up & read asap.
    XO, Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com

    Reply
  18. Rach says

    October 13, 2020 at 1:20 PM

    I love it when a book has an impact on the reader. That goes to show how well-written it is. I might need to add this book on my list.

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

    Reply
  19. rebecca says

    October 13, 2020 at 1:25 PM

    definitely going to add this one to the list! i love your thorough reviews. thanks as always for sharing, Steph!

    xx rebecca // http://www.rebeccapiersol.me

    Reply
  20. Neely Moldovan says

    October 13, 2020 at 2:43 PM

    Oh I am adding this to my list. I love finding new books and authors to check out.

    Reply
  21. Amanda says

    October 13, 2020 at 3:46 PM

    You always have fantastic reviews, so if you say this is a must, I believe you! The plot sounds interesting (bringing a character back to life- wha?!?) and I love that you say the author weaves together emotions seamlessly. This year, I’ve been challenging myself to read books I may be outside my wheelhouse– I’ll have to check this one out! Thanks for the review!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 14, 2020 at 2:24 PM

      That’s so encouraging to hear. Thank you so much! I really hope you get the chance to check this one out. It has become so special to me!

      Reply
  22. Christa says

    October 13, 2020 at 5:56 PM

    Adding this to my list right now! Next on my list is creating a cozy reading space. Thanks for the recommendations and the Inspo.

    Reply
  23. Rachel says

    October 13, 2020 at 7:44 PM

    Omgggg this book sounds SO freakin’ good!! I can’t wait to pick this one up to read this winter!

    Rachel
    http://www.hello-her.com

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 14, 2020 at 2:25 PM

      IT IS!!! I hope you end up loving it when you get the chance to read it.

      Reply
  24. Becky says

    October 14, 2020 at 9:21 AM

    Wow, this sounds so interesting! Definitely the type of book I’d be interested in reading. I’m going to see if they have an audiobook for it since that’s how I’m doing a lot of my reading these days!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 14, 2020 at 2:23 PM

      They do! In fact, the narrator and I are Twitter friends, crazy enough! He also narrated for A Song of Wraiths and Ruin. I definitely recommend the audiobook πŸ™‚

      Reply
  25. Deborah says

    October 14, 2020 at 11:23 AM

    WOW, I’m putting this in my to-read list now! This sounds like exactly the kind of book I would absolutely love!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Whitman says

      October 14, 2020 at 2:25 PM

      I really do hope you love it! We seem to enjoy similar reads sometimes, so it would be really fun to connect over this one.

      Reply
  26. Hillary Conheady says

    October 14, 2020 at 2:09 PM

    Your book reviews are always so great and I totally trust you when you say it’s good! Need to add this to my list!

    Reply
  27. Kait says

    October 14, 2020 at 3:54 PM

    What an intriguing concept! The idea of reanimation has always been so interesting to me. This doesn’t sound like my typical style of book, but you are just selling it so well that I feel like I have to give it a try now! I love good character development, even if the plot is less realistic than I tend to lean toward.

    Reply
  28. Cristina says

    October 15, 2020 at 4:44 AM

    I’m always looking for book recommendations! I added this to my reading list on my kindle. <3

    Also, I love the photos of this post!

    Reply
  29. Venus says

    October 15, 2020 at 4:47 AM

    I wouldn’t have expected the book would be about death. From the cover its shows so many colors that makes it look so lively. Sounds like an interesting book to me.

    Reply
  30. Venus says

    October 15, 2020 at 4:49 AM

    I wouldn’t have expected this book is about death. By all the colors the cover display it makes it looks so lively. Sounds like an interesting book.

    Reply
  31. Laura Leigh says

    October 15, 2020 at 8:20 AM

    your book reviews are the best and so are your recommendations! I always trust you when you say it’s good and you’re honestly who I go to when picking out a new book. such a great resource!

    xo Laura Leigh
    https://louellareese.com

    Reply
  32. Em says

    October 15, 2020 at 3:16 PM

    thank you for such a detailed review! I have never heard of this book, but may need to read it!

    Reply
  33. Sarah Lennon says

    October 16, 2020 at 10:39 AM

    You always give such great book reviews and recommendations, I will definitely be adding this to my list of books to read!

    Reply
  34. Lavenda says

    October 16, 2020 at 2:54 PM

    LOL. I understand your sentiments exactly. The best books you wish you could just read all over again. Thanks for the review! Bookmarking this one πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  35. Marlene says

    October 18, 2020 at 6:03 PM

    Sounds like a great read, thanks for the recommendation!!

    Reply
  36. Maria Koss says

    October 19, 2020 at 3:35 PM

    It sounds like a perfect book for long winter evenings. I will add it to my list!

    Reply
  37. Erin says

    October 20, 2020 at 12:27 PM

    Wow, this book sounds amazing. Thank you so much for sharing. Adding to my reading list.

    Reply
  38. Kristina says

    October 20, 2020 at 11:23 PM

    Love this cozy setup you have going on here!

    Reply
  39. LoΓ―ne says

    March 2, 2021 at 1:31 PM

    I’ve never heard about this author but aaaahhh I again want to read one of the book you review! Your thoughts were super sincere and this book goes straight into my wishlist. Thanks for sharing. 🀍

    Reply

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September Reading Wrap-Up

Welcome to The Espresso Edition, a cozy lifestyle blog. Looking for book reviews, hygge home decor, or comfortable and classic outfit ideas? I've got you covered.

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What’s one series installment you’re excited f What’s one series installment you’re excited for this year? πŸ“š
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After the dramatic ending of The Ballad of Never After, I’m counting down til the release of A Curse for True Love! 🦊 I need to know what happens next because I’m going absolutely nuts right now πŸ˜…
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I’m also so excited for Foxglove, The Brothers Hawthorne, This Cursed Light, and Threads of Power - a few series continuations that I just know are gonna be phenomenal! πŸ™ŒπŸΌ
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Are any of these on your radar? πŸ‘€
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #onceuponabrokenheart #theballadofneverafter #thecursefortruelove #bookseries #fantasyseries #2023books #fantasybooks #yafantasy #fantasyreader
Do you plan to read romance books during Love Mont Do you plan to read romance books during Love Month? 🀎
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Pretty much my entire TBR this month is just cute romances and I can’t wait to dive in πŸ“– 
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Some of the titles I’m most excited about:
πŸŽ“ Begin Again by Emma Lord
πŸ“š Exes and O’s by Amy Lea
🌻 In the Weeds by B.K. Borison
πŸ’• Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
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Have you read any of these or are any of them on your TBR? πŸ“
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #wintervibes #winter #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #romancebooks #valentinesday #lovemonth #romancereader #cartooncoverromance #februarytbr #romcombooks
What are your favorite high seas adventure books? What are your favorite high seas adventure books? πŸ΄β€β˜ οΈ

If I’m being totally truthful, I haven’t read that many of them BUT I just finished my reread of All the Stars and Teeth and was reminded how much I love it 😍 I need more books like this! 🌊

Give me recommendations for books with pirates, mermaids and sirens, island curses, and other high seas goodness βš“οΈ

Have you read All the Stars and Teeth? πŸ§œπŸΌβ€β™€οΈ

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#lightacademiaaesthetic #lightacademia #cozyaesthetic #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #cozybookstagram #bookaesthetic #booktography #bookphotography #vintagemood #bookseverywhere #hyggebookstyle #quietshadesofbrown #bookmoments #ofcosymoments #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #fortheloveofreading #bookrecommendations #booksuggestions #booksonbooks #booknookstagram #allthestarsandteeth #piratebooks #mermaidbooks #highseasadventure #fantasybooks #duology
How would your favorite book character take their How would your favorite book character take their coffee? β˜•οΈ
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My favorite fictional character of all time is Genya Safin from the Grishaverse 🀍 This badass Tailor has a taste for the finer things and would absolutely drink a deliciously dark roast with notes of cherry, walnut, and rich chocolate 🀀 I think she would enjoy a café au lait -- drip coffee with steamed milk -- that David prepared for her in a drip coffee contraption of his own making 🫢🏼
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Did I go way too in-depth on this just because I love these characters and coffee a little too much? πŸ™ˆ Maybe I did, but it was fun πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™€οΈ
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How do YOU take your coffee? 🀎
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #grishaverse #shadowandbone #thedarkling #genyasafin #leighbardugo #perfectespressopour #coffeepour #favoritefictionalcharacter #favoritecharacter #favoritebookcharacter
What was your last 5-star romance read? ⭐️ It What was your last 5-star romance read? ⭐️

It was absolutely wonderful to end 2022 with Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez 😍 I don’t like to pick favorites when it comes to my top authors, but this adorable fake dating romance may very well be my favorite book by her! πŸ™ŒπŸΌ

I’m a seriously picky romance reader, but Abby’s blend of sweetness and substance never ceases to amaze me and Yours Truly was no exception 🀎 Just like her previous novels, this one made me cry my eyes out as I saw bits and pieces of myself in each of the characters πŸ₯Ή It was just SO GOOD, y’all, and you can find the full review on my blog! 🫢🏼

Are you planning to pick up Yours Truly when it comes out in April? πŸ“– Have you read any of Abby’s other phenomenal romance novels? πŸ₯°

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#cozyaesthetic #bookreel #bookcommunity #cozyreel #cozytime #bookishreel #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #aestheticreel #coffeecoffeecoffee #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #romancebooks #yourstrulybook #abbyjimenez #romancereader #cartooncoverrromance #2023bookrelease #bookreview
What was the last book you read in one sitting? πŸ’

Honestly, it’s not very often that I finish a book in one day - either because I find myself too busy or I just can’t concentrate for such a long period of time πŸ˜…

BUT every once in a while, I have a weekend day where I can just fully sink into a story and enjoy it from start to finish without distractions πŸ“– That’s what I did with BEACH READ last Sunday and it was wonderful πŸ₯° I read it when it first came out, but this time, I really got to enjoy it in a new way - and I couldn’t put it down! πŸ™ˆ 

If only I could have more days like that πŸ˜‚ Have you read Beach Read or anything else by Emily Henry? β˜€οΈ

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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #wintervibes #winter #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #beachread #emilyhenry #romancebooks #romancereader #contemporaryromance #cartooncoverromance #perfectespressopour #rereading
Why did you join bookstagram? πŸ“– β €β €β €β €β € Why did you join bookstagram? πŸ“–
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Today is my third bookstaversary, friends! 🀎 I can't begin to express how thankful I am for this wonderful community and how it has impacted my life over the last three years πŸ₯Ή
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As many of you know, I was a full-time fashion blogger for over five years and somewhere along the line, I found that I just didn't love it anymore πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™€οΈ I wanted to find somewhere I could truly be myself and spend more time talking about fantasy novels, crisp autumn mornings, a great cup of coffee, and how to achieve the ultimate cozy lifestyle β˜•οΈ
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I joined bookstagram in 2020, thinking it would just be a fun little hobby to have on the side while I continued my fashionista hustle... and a year later, I rebranded EVERYTHING to The Espresso Edition πŸ™ŒπŸΌ I've made talking about books and coziness my full-time gig and I couldn't be happier about it 😍
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Thank you all for welcoming me to this wild and wonderful corner of the internet πŸ™ˆ Cheers to tons more bookish goodness! πŸ“š
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How long have you been on bookstagram? πŸ“±
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#cozyaesthetic #bookstagram #bookcommunity #bookstagrammer #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #bookstaversary #readersofig #booksta #bookblogger #bookishblogger #cozylifestyle #bookshelves #shelfie #readergirl #girlwhoreads #meetthebookstagrammer #facebehindtheaccount #newprofilepic
Would you take the protagonist of your current rea Would you take the protagonist of your current read for a cup of coffee? β˜•οΈ
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There have been quite a few characters I've read about this month who I'd love to sit down and chat with over a hot bev πŸ₯°
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However, from my current reads, I would NOT take anyone from Jade Legacy (because you never know who might end up unaliving), I'd definitely take both Kell and Lila from A Darker Shade of Magic, I'm not entirely sure I'd enjoy coffee with Katniss from The Hunger Games (since she's not the most exciting conversationalist), but I'd absolutely love chatting it up with Alina from Shadow and Bone! πŸ™ŒπŸΌ
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Have you read any of the books I'm currently reading? πŸ“š
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #wintervibes #winter #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #bookcharacters #bookboyfriend #bookgirlfriend #bookcharacters #fantasybooks #yafantasybooks #adultfantasybooks
What is a spin-off series that you prefer over the What is a spin-off series that you prefer over the originals? πŸ“š

This past year, I either began or finished a few spin-off series that I found myself enjoying even more than their predecessors πŸ™ˆ The Dreamer Trilogy (the first of which is featured here) BLEW ME AWAY even though I just *sorta-kinda* liked The Raven Cycle 😱 But there I was, sobbing my eyes out at the end of Greywaren 😭 So freaking good! πŸ™ŒπŸΌ

Typically I’m all about the OG series (like Shadow and Bone), but every once in a while, there’s a really great spin-off or continuation that I wind up just loving! 🀩 I’m excited to discover even more this year πŸ—“οΈ

Have you read The Dreamer Trilogy yet? πŸ’­

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What are some of your favorite stand-alone fantasy What are some of your favorite stand-alone fantasy books? βš”οΈ
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Crazy enough, my very favorite book of all time is a stand-alone fantasy 😱 If you don't listen to a single other book recommendation I have this year, that's fine, but *please* read Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer 🌲 It is absolute perfection! 🀌🏼
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Some of my other favorite stand-alone fantasy books:
🌿 THE NATURE OF WITCHES
✨ THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE
πŸ— THE STARLESS SEA (on audiobook)
πŸ’€ THE BONE HOUSES
πŸŒ™ WINTERWOOD
πŸ’” HEARTLESS
πŸ¦‰ WILD IS THE WITCH
πŸ•―οΈ GALLANT
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Have you read any of these books? πŸ“– 
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#cozyaesthetic #mybeigelife #bookcommunity #thepursuitofcosiness #cozytime #fortheloveofreading #bookaesthetic #booksandcoffee #cozybookstagram #cozyvibes #cozycore #cozylife #hyggebookstyle #coffeecoffeecoffee #coffeeandbooks #wintervibes #winter #bookflatlay #booksuggestions #bookrecommendations #fantasybooks #standalonebooks #standalonefantasy #sffbooks #yafantasybooks #adultfantasybooks

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