Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 7

Novella Review: A Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky by Mackenzi Lee

 

Title: The Gentelman' Guide to Getting Lucky

By: Mackenzi Lee

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 128

Release Date: November 26th, 2019

Rating: ★★★★☆

 
Summary from Goodreads:In this funny and frothy novella that picks up where the New York Times bestselling The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue leaves off, freshly minted couple Monty and Percy fumble through their first time together.
Monty’s epic grand tour may be over, but now that he and Percy are finally a couple, he realizes there is something more nerve-wracking than being chased across Europe: getting together with the person you love.
Will the romantic allure of Santorini make his first time with Percy magical, or will all the anticipation and build-up completely spoil the mood?

 

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Review:This was a kinky little side quest, and I loved every moment of it. The Gentleman’s Guide to Getting Lucky is a fun, flirty short story that gives us more time with beloved characters in a lighthearted, intimate setting. It’s a quick jaunt through their world that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still delivers charm, wit, and a dash of emotional depth. A delightful bonus for fans of the series! 

Weekly Menu #624 And The Book Of The Week

 

This week’s menu takes us to China, where bold flavors meet fresh vegetables and protein packed dishes. From comforting noodle bowls to sizzling stir fries, I’ve put together a lineup that’s both nourishing and flavorful, with a balance of tofu, chicken, beef, and even a dedicated fish day. It’s all about variety, spice, and bringing a little taste of Chinese cooking right to the dinner table.
Alongside cooking, I’ve also been reading The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. This novel is powerful and heartbreaking, exploring themes of beauty, identity, and the ways society can shape how we see ourselves. Morrison’s prose is both lyrical and unflinching, pulling me into the lives of her characters in a way that’s unforgettable. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s one that lingers with you long after you’ve put it down.
WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Chicken and snow pea stir-fry

Kids - Chicken strips with snow peas and rice

 

Tuesday

Beef and bok choy stir-fry

Kids - Cheese, Crackers and Carrots

 

Wednesday

Steamed fish with ginger and scallions

Kids - Grilled Chicken with rice and cucumber

 

Thursday

Ma Po tofu with ground turkey

Kids - Ground Turkey with Crackers and Applesauce

 

Friday

Szechuan-style green beans with minced pork

Kids - Green Beans and Minced Pork

 

Saturday

Lemon chicken with broccoli and carrots

Kids - Chicken and Broccoli

 

Sunday

Family Dinner

Spaghetti

Salad

Sunday Confessions #321

 

It’s Sunday again, which means it’s time for another round of bookish confessions. This is where I spill the truths I’ve been holding onto all week. Whether it’s a book I couldn’t finish, a guilty pleasure read I devoured in one sitting, or a hot take I know might ruffle some feathers. Think of it as my cozy corner to be honest about the highs, lows, and unexpected twists of my reading life.

Sunday Confessions #320~Weekly Menu #623 And The Book Of The Week~August 2025 Wrap Up~Vampire Wednesday: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab~ARC Review: Red City by Marie Lu~Fiction Friday: The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole

Weekly Menu #624 And The Book Of The Week~Novella Review: A Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky by Mackenzi Lee~Arc Review: The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer~Three Star Thursday~Book Review: The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier~Sunday Confessions #322




★★★☆☆
Sleepless in Staffordshire by Celeste Bradley was a quick and pleasant read, but it left me wanting more. A friend who’s just starting to get into reading suggested it, and while I enjoyed the light story, the lack of character development and world building held it back. It felt too short. If the author had taken more time to flesh things out, this easily could’ve been a 5 star read. For me, it was just “eh,” but I’ll keep cheering my friend on in her reading journey.

282/100 2025 Reading Challenge~113/217 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~18/20 2024 Goodreads Fantasy Nominees Reading Challenge

Another Sunday, another round of bookish truths off my chest. I always feel a little lighter after sharing the messy, honest side of my reading life, and I hope it sparks a smile, a nod of agreement, or even a lively debate. Books aren’t just about polished reviews. They’re about the personal journeys we take with them, the quirks we uncover, and the confessions we dare to make. Until next week, may your pages be full and your confessions few.

Fiction Friday: The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole

 

Title: The Edge of Water

By: Olufunke Grace Bankole

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 272

Release Date: February 4th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:Set between Nigeria and New Orleans, The Edge of Water tells the story of a young woman who dreams of life in America, as the collision of traditional prophecy and individual longing tests the bonds of a family during a devastating storm.
In Ibadan, Nigeria, a mother receives a divination that foretells danger for her daughter in America. In spite of this warning, she allows her to forge her own path, and Amina arrives in New Orleans filled with hope. But just as Amina begins to find her way, a hurricane threatens to destroy the city, upending everything she’d dreamed of and the lives of all she holds dear. Years later, her daughter is left with questions about the mother she barely knew, and the family she has yet to discover in Nigeria.
Exploring the love of a determined mother and dreaming daughter who do not say enough to each other until it is too late, the detangling of Yoruba Christianity, traditional religion, and folklore, and the tellings of three generations of daring women—through times of longing, promise, and romance, as well as heartbreak—Olufunke Grace Bankole’s The Edge of Water is a luminous debut novel about a young woman brave enough to leave all she knows behind, and the way her fate transforms a family destined to stay together.

 

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Review:The Edge of Water is a heart wrenching and beautifully written story that I couldn’t put down. The characters face immense hardship, yet they carry themselves with resilience and quiet strength, doing their best to carve out meaning and hope in a difficult world. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply human. A story that lingers long after the last page.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

ARC Review: Red City by Marie Lu

 

Title: Red City

By: Marie Lu

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 432

Release Date: October 14th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:The Godfather meets The Magicians in the sweeping adult debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu. Perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab, Red City is a dark and deadly contemporary fantasy of magical warfare, star-crossed ambition, and the pursuit of perfection at any cost, set in a glittering alternate Los Angeles.
Alchemy is the hidden art of transformation. An exclusive power wielded by crime syndicates that market it to the world’s elites in the form of sand, a drug that enhances those who take it into a more perfect version of more beautiful, more charismatic, simply more.
Among the gleaming skyscrapers and rolling foothills of Angel City, alchemy is controlled by two rival syndicates. For years, Grand Central and Lumines have been balanced on a razor’s edge between polite negotiation and outright violence. But when two childhood friends step into that delicate equation, the city—and the paths of their lives—will be irrevocably transformed.
The daughter of a poor single mother, Sam would do anything to claw her way into the ranks of Grand Central in search of a better life. Plucked away from his family as a boy to become a Lumines apprentice, Ari is one of the syndicates' brightest rising stars. Once, they might have loved each other. But as the two alchemists face off across opposite sides of an ever-escalating conflict, ambition becomes power, loyalty becomes lies, and no transformation may be perfect enough for them both to survive the coming war.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

 

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Review:Red City is a fast paced, alchemy laced adventure that showcases Marie Lu’s signature world building and character depth. I was especially drawn to the intricacies of the alchemy system and how well the characters’ backstories were woven into the plot. The momentum of the story kept me engaged from start to finish. However, the romantic subplot didn’t quite land for me. It felt underdeveloped and lacked the emotional spark I was hoping for. Still, this is a solid read with plenty to love for fans of dystopian fantasy.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

Vampire Wednesday: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab

 

Title: Bury Our Bones int eh Midnight Soil

By: V.E. Schwab

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 535

Release Date: June 10th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:This is a story about hunger.1532. Santo Domingo de la Calzada.A young girl grows up wild and wily—her beauty is only outmatched by her dreams of escape. But María knows she can only ever be a prize, or a pawn, in the games played by men. When an alluring stranger offers an alternate path, María makes a desperate choice. She vows to have no regrets.
This is a story about love.1827. London.A young woman lives an idyllic but cloistered life on her family’s estate, until a moment of forbidden intimacy sees her shipped off to London. Charlotte’s tender heart and seemingly impossible wishes are swept away by an invitation from a beautiful widow—but the price of freedom is higher than she could have imagined.
This is a story about rage.2019. Boston.College was supposed to be her chance to be someone new. That’s why Alice moved halfway across the world, leaving her old life behind. But after an out-of-character one-night stand leaves her questioning her past, her present, and her future, Alice throws herself into the hunt for answers . . . and revenge.
This is a story about life—how it ends, and how it starts.

 

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Review:I waited so long to get my hands on this one, and it was absolutely worth every second. V.E. Schwab delivers another hauntingly beautiful story, this time with two darkly compelling vampire POVs. I’m not always a fan of dual perspectives, but Schwab makes it seamless. Each vampire’s journey was distinct, eerie, and full of depth, and watching their stories twist together was nothing short of mesmerizing. This book sank its teeth into me and didn’t let go.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

August 2025 Wrap Up

 

August was an incredible reading month. I managed to make my way through 36 books! From quick, bingeable reads to sprawling epics that demanded every ounce of my attention, this month had a little bit of everything. Looking back, I’m both amazed and excited to share the highlights, the surprises, and even the stories that didn’t quite hit the mark.

281/100 2025 Reading Challenge~113/217 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~18/20 2024 Goodreads Fantasy Nominees Reading Challenge

August turned out to be one of my best reading months yet, and I loved the variety that came with tackling 36 books. Some stories swept me away completely, while others pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways. Looking back, I’m proud of how much I was able to explore, and I’m already curious to see how September’s stack will measure up. Here’s to another month filled with new adventures, unexpected favorites, and plenty of pages to turn!

Weekly Menu #623 And The Book Of The Week

 

This week I’m taking my taste buds to Hungary, a cuisine that thrives on rich paprika, warming stews, and hearty comfort foods. From smoky lentil soups to creamy chicken paprikash, I’ve built a high protein menu that leans on chicken, pork, fish, legumes, and plenty of dairy., keeping beef to a minimum while still celebrating the bold, soulful flavors Hungarian cooking is known for. It’s a menu that feels both nourishing and indulgent, perfect for the last stretch of summer.

On the reading front, I’ve picked up Remain by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan, two storytellers I have a definite love-hate relationship with. Sparks has a way of pulling emotions out of me whether I want him to or not, and Shyamalan always leaves me guessing whether I’ll get a brilliant twist or something a little unhinged. Either way, it should be an interesting pairing, and I’m curious to see how this collaboration unfolds.

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Grilled Trout with lemon + Savanyúság

Kids - Grilled Cheesy Fries

 

Tuesday

Lentil Leves

Kids - Chicken Soup

 

Wednesday

Roast Chicken Legs with braised red cabbage

Kids - Chicken Tenders with Carrots

 

Thursday

Pork Tenderloin Paprikás

Kids - Pork with Butter Noodles

 

Friday

Baked Pike-Perch with dill potatoes

Kids - Fish Sticks and Fries

 

Saturday

Grilled Chicken Skewers with paprika marinade + cucumber salad

Kids - Chicken and cucumbers

 

Sunday

Leftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #320

 

It’s that time again. Sunday Book Confessions! The weekly moment where I spill the truth about my reading life: the books I loved, the ones I struggled with, and the guilty little habits that crept into my reading week. Think of it as a cozy catch up over coffee, where I admit what actually happened between the covers (of books, of course).

Sunday Confessions #319~Weekly Menu #622 And The Book Of The Week~ARC Review: Murder in Retrograde by Greg Hickey~ARC Review: And the River Drags Her Down by Jihyun Yun~Book Review: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid~
Fantasy Friday: The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence

Weekly Menu #623 And The Book Of The Week~August 2025 Wrap Up~Vampire Wednesday: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab~ARC Review: Red City by Marie Lu~Fiction Friday: The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole~Sunday Confessions #321

Alphabet SquadronAlexander Freed

★★★★☆

Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed is a thrilling addition to the Star Wars universe. I loved seeing familiar characters return, woven seamlessly into a new story full of heart, grit, and starfighter action. The balance of nostalgia with fresh perspectives made this a standout read, and while a few pacing lulls kept it from being a perfect five, it’s still an exciting and worthwhile journey for any Star Wars fan.

273/100 2025 Reading Challenge~110/217 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~18/20 2024 Goodreads Fantasy Nominees Reading Challenge

And that’s the roundup of this week’s bookish truths. Some confessions are easy, some a little harder to admit, but all part of the joy (and chaos) of being a reader. Now it’s your turn. What are your bookish confessions this week?

Fantasy Friday: The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence

 

Title: The Book That Wouldn't Burn

By: Mark Lawrence

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 551

Release Date: May 1st, 2023

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:A boy has lived his whole life trapped within a vast library, older than empires and larger than cities.
A girl has spent hers in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where nightmares stalk and no one goes.
The world has never even noticed them. That's about to change.
Their stories spiral around each other, across worlds and time. This is a tale of truth and lies and hearts, and the blurring of one into another. A journey on which knowledge erodes certainty, and on which, though the pen may be mightier than the sword, blood will be spilled and cities burned.

 

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Review:While the pacing dragged at times, The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is a story that sticks with you. The journey these characters take is nothing short of epic. I mean, right from the start, a little girl jumps into a monster’s mouth and kills it from the inside. Full-on Drax mode! The way time is used, especially within the library, is brilliant, and I loved how it helped the main characters uncover shared truths and break down the walls between them. If you can get through the slow bits, the payoff is absolutely worth it.