A to Z Reading Challenge 2023 {February Update}

It's time for my second check in for 2023's A to Z challenges! I've knocked a few more letters off my list, and I am so happy to be making progress. Here's hoping that 2023 is my year to complete these reading challenges. 

Were you able to complete any letters this month? How many do you have left to go? Also are you doing the title challenge, the author challenge, or are you doing both?

See you back here at the end of March for another update!

Happy Reading,
Laura

What I Read Last Week

Happy Monday! After the snowstorm last week, we are back on our usual routines this week. Thank goodness! We ended up with about 12 inches of snow, and that is 12 more than I'd like. I'm ready for spring! It's winter in Minnesota though, so snow happens.

Last week I read 8 books! I finished up a series, continued on in another, and started a new one. If you know me, you know I'm wild about series. Love them! My favorite read of the week was Off to the Races by Elsie Silver. I could not get enough, and am continuing on with the series. Obviously. Also I made great progress on Gina Azzi's backlist titles! I have 5 books left (a series + a standalone), as well as a kindle vella story. I'm going to press pause on that mission though, as I also want to work through the other books on my kindle.

Before we get to the books I read, spill the details on what you've been reading. What was your favorite? Any flops? Read any new (or new to you) authors? What's the reading plan for this week?

Happy Reading,
Laura

Thoughts I had while reading The Owner

Going into The Owner, I figured I would do another thoughts while reading post, as well as add in a tiny review at the end. Before we dive in though, LOOK AT THIS COVER! I absolutely love it. The simplicity, the colors, the team logo, all of it. More of this please.

For those who do not know The Owner is the first book in the Dalvegan Dragons hockey series from Xavier Neal. This fictional town is in Texas, and the owner of the team recently died. So the team has now been handed down to his daughter Harlow Hennington. Harlow has been raised around hockey. She lives and breathes the sport. To say she knows the ins and outs would be an understatement. This is her passion, and nothing will stop her from curating a fabulous team. Not even the life changes that are thrown at her. A spontaneous Vegas wedding? No big deal, she can get it annulled. A surprise pregnancy from that Vegas wedding? Uh, that's going to be a bit more of an adjustment. Falling for her husband? Well that is not in the plans, but it might be happening. First though she needs to take care of her team. Everything else can wait. Or can it.

When I first heard the premise of this book I thought it was going to be an owner/athlete relationship. That was where my mind went, and so when I was reading and that WASN'T the case, I was confused. Guess that's what happens when you make an assumption. What this book is though (trope wise) is age gap, opposites attract, Vegas wedding, surprise baby, and workplace. The Owner is also FULL of hockey lingo and chirping. After all Harlow is the owner of the team now, and hockey is life.

My 3 Favorite Antagonists

Every so often when you read a book, you'll come across that ONE character who you just love to hate. These characters stand out with their actions, their words, and so much more. There is just something about them that has you hoping they do not get a redemption arc in any future books from the author.

Who are the characters that I have a love to hate relationship with? I'd love to tell you.

One Last Chance by Gina Azzi {a review}

In December I read My Christmas Wish by Gina Azzi. This was a seasonal read, but it was also the beginning of Daisy and Finn's story. I have since finished the Kane Brothers trilogy, and it is time to dive into One Last Chance. I need to see what happens once Daisy is in Scotland, working at the same company as Finn, and see how friendship blooms into a happily ever after. I have a feeling Finn isn't going to be able to resist her for long.

My rating for One Last Chance:

Before we dive into my thoughts, let's go over the tropes. In this book we have friends to lovers, a workplace romance, a second chance of sorts, and an age gap (roughly 7 years).

Okay on to my long winded thoughts...

In all of the Kane Brothers books, I had a feeling that Daisy was a strong woman. One Last Chance proved that she is, and that she can do anything she puts her mind to. Her big brothers were just overprotective, and wanted to support/care for her. If you've read Reclaiming Brave, then you know that Sierra was on Daisy about submitting her resume to the family company. Daisy was against it at first, but ultimately gave in. Thankfully she did, and it allowed her to take on this new journey. Plus she had a pseudo-family waiting for her in Scotland, as Sierra's family considered her one of their own. Also when Daisy accepted the position, and was gearing up to leave, the conversation she had with Jax brought tears to my eyes. He understood what it meant to leave to an unfamiliar setting where you know virtually no one.

I was so glad to finally read Finn and Daisy's story. Especially since it seems so long ago that I read My Christmas Wish. (it wasn't that long ago, but I read so much that it just feels forever ago.) Now though here we are getting to see Daisy move to Scotland, reconnect with Finn, and have this new adventure. She's on her own without her brothers or her best friend, and it's a major change. Thankfully she has Finn, Aaron, Callum, and Lachlan nearby for support.

Things with Daisy and Finn started off slowly. He was fighting it for so long with really no explanation. It was honestly frustrating because you could see their mutual attraction. Yet he was still dealing with his past relationship issues, and perhaps doing a little projection. When it came to the point where I thought things were going to advance, it was actually the demise. I wasn't expecting it quite yet. When all of that went down it was a little much. I was shocked by the response, and how everything was handled.

After all of that went down I was even more grateful that Daisy had found a good group of friends shortly after arriving in Scotland. That sense of community was just what she needed, and she had someone other than Sierra's family. Of course there had to be one creeper in that first year group, and honestly that man was a walking red flag. At first I thought he was just a bit awkward, until the true colors were shown. That part of the book broke my heart, even more so than the break up, and I had tears rolling down my cheeks. Now I'll be honest, I debated how to bring this trigger/content warning to light as it is a bit of a spoiler for the story. I don't feel right though not disclosing it especially if it is something another reader has been affected by. So TW/CW for attempted SA and physical.

The work situation was really interesting to read about. I love the challenge that James came up with as a way to test out the new hires. The passion that these characters put into their work was impressive. I was honestly thankful that the competition didn't work out the way I envisioned.

I want to talk about how Daisy and Finn got back together! I do! But I can't because of spoilers. Just know that he is by her side when she needs him.

One thing I know from reading One Last Chance, as well as all the Kane Brothers books, I am absolutely loving this family! I do wish I had closure for one storyline that took place in Denver's book, but maybe one day Gina Azzi will address that. 

Have you read the Kane Brothers trilogy or the Finding Love in Scotland series? These books have been out for a while now, but I just discovered them and really enjoyed the stories. 

Happy Reading,
Laura
 

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