Author: Rese

Hi, I'm Rese. I'm starting out on the road to wellness. My journey will not look like yours. And I guarantee that there will be many stumbles along the way. Life happens, and to be honest, I known that I won't break years of bad habits overnight. But I will keep moving forward. I won't let it defeat me. My goal is not to lose weight, although that would definitely be welcome, but instead to lower my blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol by finding a healthier way of eating. A way that works for me and my lifestyle. Some days will be perfect and some days will look like a train wreck, but eventually, I hope there are more good days than bad ones. Or at least that's the goal!

THE LONELY HEARTS BOOK CLUB

The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore is far more than just another feel-good story; it’s a bold, unflinching examination of the raw, messy business of human connection. This provocative narrative thrusts together the lives of six disparate individuals, forcing them into a collision course that is anything but predictable. Brace yourself to witness their tumultuous growth and dramatic transformation, as their journeys lay bare the very foundations of love and friendship, challenging everything you thought you knew. It’s written with such precision, it might just take your breath away.

BOOK 105 OF 2025📚

THE LONELY HEARTS BOOK CLUB

By: Lucy Gilmore

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2025readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese

SUGAR DADDIES

I approached Sugar Daddies by Jade West with a hint of skepticism, but with glowing recommendations, I dove in—and wow, was I captivated! The storyline is absolutely sizzling, and while it has its fair share of steamy moments, they don’t overshadow the plot. I’m definitely thrilled I indulged in this read.

BOOK 104 OF 2025📚

SUGAR DADDIES

By: Jade West

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2025readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese

SUMMER IN THE CITY

Ever since I passionately immersed myself in the Lightlark series by Alex Aster, her writing has cast a spell over me, making the anticipation for Summer in the City practically unbearable. While it veers away from fantasy, it weaves an enchanting tapestry of sweetness and undeniable tension that grips the heart. The narrative centers on a screenwriter who flees to vibrant New York City for a summer filled with excitement, only to collide with her infuriating neighbor—the man she despises from an unforgettable night at a club two years earlier. Yet, destiny has a thrilling twist in store; he evolves into her unexpected muse, and a tumultuous whirlwind of undeniable feelings bubbles just beneath the surface. But as with any passionate tale, life throws obstacles in their path, compelling them to fight tooth and nail to rediscover their connection amidst the beautiful chaos surrounding them.

BOOK 103 OF 2025📚

SUMMER IN THE CITY

By: Alex Aster

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2025readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese

QUEEN OF QUARANTINE

I am completely obsessed with this book and the entire series! Seriously, Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti have knocked it out of the park once more. This series drags you through a whirlwind of emotions and, by the end, you’ll forget why you ever had a problem with those boys. The character development is on fire, especially with the character Saint—absolute perfection. It’s so brilliantly crafted that I might even dare to say I enjoy this series more than Zodiac Academy. Maybe.

BOOK 102 OF 2025📚

QUEEN OF QUARANTINE

By: Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2025readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese

KINGS OF LOCKDOWN

The second book in the Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep, Kings of Lockdown, sweeps you back into a whirlwind of emotions, where our fierce FMC grapples with the unrelenting brutality of the MMCs. As the layers of their pasts unravel, we delve deeper into the reasons behind their fierce exteriors. The FMC’s inner turmoil intensifies as she navigates a tempest of hatred and longing for each boy, creating a thrilling relationship dynamic that shifts with every turn. You’ll find yourself irresistibly drawn to each boy, caught in a storm of love and disdain. This gripping tale will keep your heart racing, leaving you breathless and longing for more.

BOOK 100 OF 2025📚

KINGS OF LOCKDOWN

By: Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2025readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese

KINGS OF QUARANTINE

How in the world did I just stumble upon the series, Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep? I devoured the first book, Kings of Quarantine, and I am absolutely blown away! Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti have pulled out all the stops with this one, crafting a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. This isn’t your typical story about teenagers at some posh prep school—they’re anything but ordinary. Each character is intricately designed, with layers of complexity that draw you in and refuse to let go. It’s a tantalizing blend of Zodiac Academy and Ruthless Boy, a thrilling mix of intrigue and dark romance. But brace yourself for an entirely new level of ruthless bullying inflicted on the FMC by the MMCs, as they wield their power like weapons, making the halls of Everlake Prep a volatile battlefield of emotions and high stakes. The tension, the drama, and the unpredictable twists make for a reading experience that’s both exhilarating and heart-wrenching, leaving me desperate for more.

BOOK 99 OF 2025📚

KINGS OF QUARANTINE

By: Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2025readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese

TILL SUMMER DO US PART

If Good Reads let you give a book a half star, I’d totally throw Till Summer Do Us Part a daring 4-1/2 stars, no doubt about it. It was so hilarious that I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the outrageous humor, which definitely caught the attention of everyone around me. The witty dialogue and relatable characters made it such a fun read that I just couldn’t get enough. It was one of those feel-good stories that lifted my spirits, keeping me on a high even after I flipped to the last page. Meghan Quinn always knows how to hit the spot with my reading cravings; her ability to mix humor and heart in her stories is nothing short of brilliant. Every page was packed with charm and cleverness, making it impossible to stop as I eagerly devoured all the crazy twists and turns in the characters’ wild lives.

BOOK 98 OF 2025📚

TILL SUMMER DO US PART

By: Meghan Quinn

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2025readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese

BRIDE

Bride by Ali Hazelwood was such a wild ride that had me hooked from the very first page—I just couldn’t put it down! I was up until 3am, totally absorbed by the amazing mix of drama and intrigue. The chemistry between the FMC (Misery) and the MMC (Owen) was off the charts, packed with clever banter and tension that kept me on the edge of my seat. Their playful back-and-forth felt super real and relatable, making their connection something special. And even though the story features a Vampire and a Werewolf, don’t get it twisted; it’s not just your typical “fantasy.” This book goes way deeper, diving into serious themes of love, identity, and the raw struggle for belonging in a world that loves to draw lines between us.

BOOK 97 OF 2025📚

BRIDE

By: Ali Hazelwood

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2025readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese

QUEEN OF ROT & PAIN

I just immersed myself in The Pale Court Series by Liv Zander, choosing to review them collectively rather than dissecting them one at a time. The first book, King of Flesh & Bone, was a real challenge for me. Although I’m usually a fervent admirer of Liv Zander’s storytelling, this installment struck me as tragically underdeveloped, with prose that often felt like a relic of an old poem—delightfully intricate yet frustratingly difficult to navigate. Though I followed along with the audiobook, and shoulders some blame on the narrators, the truth remains: the book failed to seize my heart. Yet, ever determined and unwilling to leave a story unfinished, I pressed on, and by the time I reached book 2, Queen of Rot & Pain, I was rewarded with a significant shift. Perhaps this was due to a deeper storyline mingling with less overt sensuality this go-around. Don’t misunderstand me; I relish a passionate scene as much as anyone, but there’s an exquisite balance to be found between eroticism and narrative depth. Still, it was hard to ignore the evident lack of world and character development—an aspect that yearns for attention.

BOOK 96 OF 2025📚

QUEEN OF ROT & PAIN

By: Liv Zander

STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#2025readingchallenge #goodreads #readingwithrese