Author Archives: Bethlylou

Quick Review: Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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I do love it when the sequel is just as much fun as it’s predecessor. Evie is really in her power. The shocks of the ending of the last book really has made Evie more of sure of who she is. She really is leaning into her evil side. Which could be good or bad depending on who you asks. Evie and the Villain are in a race with the King to fulfill the prophecy. To do that they must find Evie’s mother. For the Villain’s part, he is all for revenge while keeping his feelings for Evie in check. Not so easy. They ups and downs and humor really make this series. The supporting cast is still amazing. We get to know a little bit more about Becky and a new character point of view and really opens up the world so much more. I had so much fun reading the first two books. I can’t wait to read the next one.

Review: Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade

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This is the third book in the Fan Fiction series by Olivia Dade. I think it’s the last but I hope not. While fan fics didn’t play as big as part in the plot as the first two it was still enjoyable. Peter and Maria meet one day at sauna, have a one night stand only to find out the next day that they are both actors and auditioning for the same show. Of course they get plum roles for the hit series Gates of the Gods that Marcus and Alex are in but they characters spend the entire series on a deserted island away from everyone else. Which would be great but Maria left Peter without a note after their one night stand and Peter is quite salty. He has some issues. Don’t we all. The first two books follow Marcus and Alex dating “normal” people so already this one is different because both Peter and Maria are actors and become very famous thanks to their roles on this show. There is mention of the fandom and shippers. I wished they kinda went more into this because I found fandoms to be so interesting but I understand while it was not a focus. The story is about Maria and Peter and how for them to get together, they both have to overcome their own insecurities and professional obligations. This is also a story of found family. Maria is adopted and is afraid of being abandon. Even though her adopted family is awesome, the fear of being left behind again still stays with her. Peter is desperate for his dad’s approval and to prove he can make it as an artist that he often shuts people out so not to disappoint anyone else. Though each other, they not only find love but a family that cares and supports them. Isn’t that what we all need. To me, this wasn’t as good as the first two but it was still very much enjoyable.

Quick Review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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This book was nothing but delightful. Evie Sage needs a job when she literally stumbles upon the Villain in the woods and wouldn’t you know, he needs an assistant. So Evie goes to work for the mysterious Villain. Who for the last 10 years has been causing a ruckus in the kingdom and to the King. Evie loves her new job. Yes, from time to time the Villain may shoot at one of the interns and Becky, head of HR is her personal nemesis but other than that. It is a good job. The villain is also a good boss for a villain. It doesn’t hurt that he’s handsome again for a villain. Lately the Villain’s plans have been foiled. It’s like someone from the outside knows when and where he is going to strike and he asks Evie to track down the traitor. Comedy ensues as Evie tries to find the traitor but can’t quite keep up. This book is so much fun and entertaining and I was happy to find out that it’s a series so there will be more adventures with Evie and the Villain. I can’t wait to read more.

What I’m also listening to and still reading now: The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu (translated by Ken Liu and read by Luke Daniels) and Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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I also had The Three-Body Problem audiobook so when I saw that Kate was listening to it I thought I would too. I am also back to reading Assistant to the Villain on my commute to work.

Review: The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

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It has been a while since I posted. I would say I’ve been busy and on vacation but Kate was on vacation with me and she still managed to post things. I was reading Assistant to a Villain and then my preorder for this book came and I had to read it. When we last left Oraya and Raihn they had won the Kejuri, Raihn killed Vincent to become king and then forced Oraya to marry him instead of putting her to death also. It’s kind of messed up but let’s just go with it. They are not in a good place. Oraya, understandably is a mess. She is grieving her father and feeling betrayed by Raihn. Her people are on the run and those who are her enemy now occupy her home. Raihn is now King even though he never wanted to be and being a former slave is not exactly well liked by his nobles. It is a good thing that I read the novella, Six Scorched Roses because Vale and Lilith return in this book to help Raihn out.

For me, this book did start off a bit slow. While the other book went almost immediately into the action of the Kejuri. This one focused on the politics of court. Which important to building the world but also to show the difficulties ahead for both Oraya and Raihn. Once, they are overthrown things start moving again as they action starts to really gear up. I could have done without the mini horcrux missions they had to go through to find mysterious weapons that Vincent left behind. I know it was important to the story as it not only explained more about who Vincent was and his motivation but also an avenue to learn more about Oraya’s mother. The introduction of it was a bit clunky. Other than that, this was a satisfying sequel. I want to say that this the ending of their story but there is definitely a little cliffhanger with a Goddess that will eventually have to be resolved but I believe the next book will focus on Mische. Which I totally support. She could use some happiness.

Review: I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (read by the author)

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I vaguely knew who Jennette McCurdy was thanks to years of stocking magazine’s working for B&N. I knew she was on some Nickelodeon show but I was passed the Nickelodeon phrase in my life. I have nothing but good things about her memoir but the more I learned about her life, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it. I decided to to listen to the audio book. I find listening to memoirs more enjoyable. Listening to her story was rage inducing. I knew that her mother was abusive from the press tour and as an adult who knows the signs of abuse I could see it but Jennette as a child who obviously in love her mother, did not see it that way. She didn’t know any better because for her this was just how things were. Knowing what we now know went on behind the scenes of Nickelodeon shows at the time, I couldn’t help to be angry. All the adults in her life and not a single one of them stepped in to help her. She spiraled out of control but because she was making a lot of people money, they just let her spiral. Infuriating I am happy that she is now in a better place and can see what her mother did and was and find support that she needs to be healthy. To step away from acting, even though it was never what she wanted to do in the first place, takes a strong person. It may not have been we career of choice but it made her a lot of money and leaving acting meant leaving a lot of money on the table. I do appreciate Jennette’s matter of fact way of telling her story. She doesn’t try to paint rosy pictures of her childhood, eating disorders or alcoholism. She talked about all of it in plain terms. She didn’t apologize for how she coped with things or try to excuse her behavior nor did she ever our right made her mom the villain. She told her story Told her truth and has moved on Very healthy of her.