Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic is: Ten Characters Authors Surprisingly Redeemed, which was submitted by Deanna @ A Novel Glimpse! Which characters did you not like at first, but grew to love by the end of the book? This was a very tricky one for me because I tend to remember how I feel about the characters at the end of the book and not the beginning. But I tried! Most of these cannot be explained without spoilers, and I promise I won’t do that to you!

1. Rhys from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas
This is immediately who I think of when I think of this topic because the night and day difference between my hatred and love of him is the strongest I’ve ever experienced with a book. I hated him at first, but now I love him SO much. He’s at the top of my list of book boyfriends..

2. Xaden from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
I can’t explain anything without spoilers!

3. The North Wind from The North Wind by Alexandria Warwick

4. Nova from Business Casual by B.K. Borison
She really came off as a stuck-up brat for me at first, but it all worked out and we’re best friends now!

5. Bettie from Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
I thought I’d hate spoiled Bettie forever. lol.

6. Lana from The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler
She starts off as very stuck-up, but I grew to love her throughout this book and rejoiced when she got her own book in the series later on!

I only got six, but that’s ok! I always say to make a topic work for you, and sometimes I have to do that for myself as well! Can you think of any characters you grew to love by the end of the book? Do you agree with any of my choices? Are you also someone who has a hard time remembering things like these? LOL.

Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic is Books That Provide a Much-Needed Escape. I love immersing myself in to whatever world my books take place in and fully escaping my own life when I sit down to read. I always find myself having more fun doing that with fantasy or dystopian novels than with other kind of book because those worlds are usually magical and/or exciting. These places sound like amazing places to visit (or even live!) and I highly recommend escaping life through them. The links will take you to my review.

1. Whistling Tor in Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier
The Tor is mysterious and mystical and atmospheric. It is home to beings trapped between life and death, and a pretty swoony man as well. There’s lots of little rooms and nooks and crannies to explore.

2. The Night Court in A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Anywhere Rhysand goes, I go. But seriously, the Night Court and the secret, beautiful city of Velaris sound so perfect and magical. It sounds so dreamlike and enchanting. And the people that live there are wonderful.

3. Enchanted St. Petersburg in The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye
The Crown’s Game is about two enchanters who must battle one another through a series of magical tasks to ensure that the son of the Tsar has a memorable birthday. The winner becomes the royal enchanter, and the loser dies. The battle begins, and the beauty and opulence that encompasses St. Petersburg as a result of this magic is amazing. I absolutely must mention the intricate system of fountains and color-changing lights that fill the city’s canal system. That entire scene was beautiful, and is still my favorite in the entire book.

4. The city of Celestrus in Of Sea and Stone by Kate Avery Ellison
This city has, what I can only describe to be, glass spheres that are suspended in the water. Each sphere is a library dedicated to each of the different cities of Itlantis. You can see sea life swimming by and light from the surface dancing. The libraries are filled with books, foliage, sculpture, fountains, and walkways. I’d LOVE to visit!

5. Albion in Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
I love this place called Albion. It seems to be kind of a conglomeration of the Regency era in England and historic New York City. There were times I felt like I was sitting in Central Park, and there were times when I felt like I was sitting in an Austen-esque sitting room with lavish couches and tea on the table.

6. Venisia in What Is Hidden by Lauren Skidmore
This city is basically Venice, but not. There are canals and water taxis, though, and any book that takes me to Venice or a Venice-like place is welcome on my shelves. The descriptions of the scenery in this book are beautiful.

7. Caltrey in The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst 
I’m still reading this one, so the link will take you to Goodreads. I love the island of Caltrey! It’s home to merhorses, forest spirits, and enchanted plants. The island has beautiful forests, pristine beaches, and crystal clear water that shimmers in the sun. There’s also a cozy bakery and a jam/spell shop. The people who live on the island consider themselves to be one big family, and they’re all so sweet and kind to each other. Take me here!

8. Marin in Captivate by Vanessa Garden
I think maybe I like underwater worlds… Marin is a gorgeous and colorful and sparkling city on the ocean floor. The city has rivers and gondolas and a modern colosseum where people go to watch criminals get thrown to the sharks in a big aquarium-like tank. When they look up to the sky they see the ocean instead. Their world is lit and warmed by light crystals that sparkle, and oxygen is brought down to them through air shafts. There’s a garden and a park with real grass. I could go on and on. I’m in love with this place.

9. The futuristic Russia in Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
My absolute favorite thing about Shadow and Bone is the world Leigh created for us. I love all of it, from its setting in futuristic Russia, to the elaborate keftas, to the mysterious Shadow Fold (a dark and barren wasteland filled with volcra, which I swear are some kind of dragon on steroids), and all the awesome talents of the Grisha. This world is complicated and complex with its own language. It’s amazing.

10. Atlantia in Atlantia by Ally Condie
Atlantia is a beautiful, self-sustaining, world under the sea that actually sounds a lot like Venice. They have canals and gondolas, and the city is colorful with lots of shops and places to visit. There’s a market in the depths of the city, plus an arena for after-curfew swimming competitions. Basically, the city is unique and very fun to read about.

Can you recommend any other books with amazing worlds I should read?

Welcome to another TTT! And happy September! This week’s topic was submitted by both Cathy at WhatCathyReadNext and Hopewell’s Public Library of Life, and is “Books Involving Food”. You can do a lot with this topic: foods in the title, foods on the cover, foodie characters, or noteworthy scenes involving food. I’ve chosen to do the latter because I don’t like it when my books make me hungry so I don’t read many food-centric books (but you’ll see that they sneak in sometimes)!

Also, I’d like to draw your attention to the schedule of upcoming TTT topics where you’ll notice I’ve updated the schedule through January 2025! We’re coming into the busiest time of the year and I wanted to give the planners ample time to get their posts ready! Anyway, on to this week’s list!

Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare
There’s a pretty sexy scene involving cake!

The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler
There’s a really sweet moment between the two main characters surrounding snowman shaped sandwiches, but food also plays a role throughout the story. At one point, two of the characters experienced food insecurity and the emotional toll that took on them. The hero’s little girl is also in kidney failure and is on a very strict diet, which is discussed between the love interests often.

Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer
The female lead really loves Thin Mints Girl Scout Cookies and tries to keep them in stock in her fridge year round. But the male love interest always makes sure he orders homemade ones for her from the local bakery just in case she runs out!

Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison
The main character owns a really cute bakery with lots of yummy treats that made me so hungry to read about!

My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh
The female lead owns and runs her own restaurant, and the male lead hires her to be his grandmother’s personal chef. Lots of fun conversations happen between all three of them while she’s over at his place cooking for his grandma.

Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm by Jaimie Admans
The male lead is a pumpkin farmer whose mom always wants to make sure the female lead is well fed. Plus, there’s yummy food at the Christmas tree farm!

Cabin Crush by Kasey Stockton
The two families spend their time at the cabin watching Christmas movies, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows around the fire, baking and decorating cookies, eating lots of other yummy food!

The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler
Graham befriends a moose named Ulysses, who loves yummy baked goods!

The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman by Louise Plummer
Kate’s family has this huge traditional Swedish Christmas with lots of yummy food. Can you tell I am so in the mood for Christmas right now?

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
I’m reading this right now, and I am starving. There’s so many pastries and jams and yummmmmm.

What books can you think of that involve food?

Welcome to another TTT! This week’s topic is a relationship freebie! The idea is to pick a relationship type and choose characters who fit that relationship as it relates to you. So, characters you’d like to date, be friends with, be enemies with, etc. Bookish families you’d like to be a part of, characters you’d want as your siblings, pets you’d like to take for yourself, etc. I decided to go with Bookish People I’d like to Date! Would I say these are my favorite male characters of all time? Probably not, because I have so many favorites and add more every day. Plus, I wouldn’t want to date some of my favorites. LOL.

1. Dallas from My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh
This sexy hockey player is protective, loyal, and a grandma’s boy with the biggest heart.

2. Nathan from The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams
Another pro athlete, but this time he’s a football player! He’s so sweet and really cares about his people.

3. Rhys from A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
I have a major crush on this fae male who feels love on a deeper level than most romantic heroes.

4. Lachlan from First to Fall by Jenny B. Jones
Laghlan is so amazing! He’s a nerdy, awkward video game developer and has so much snark. He’s super flirty, too, and I love a good flirt.

5. Ethan from Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas
This guy is one of my biggest all time book loves. He’s a little dangerous, but I don’t care.

6. Wesley from Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
He’s my favorite cinnamon roll, and I know he’d be accepting of all my little quirks because he understands.

7. Easton from Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler
I’ve had a crush on him since I read the first Moose Springs book, and here he is in all his glory. If fluffy wild animals fall in love with him, then that’s really all I need.

8. Gabriel from The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare
He’s an animal lover.

9. Starry Night by Debbie Macomber
He’s a grumpy, reclusive writer with a cuddly dog and he lives in the wilds of Alaska in a cozy cabin I’d be happy to take up residence in.

10. Mal from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
I just LOVE HIM.

Can you think of any bookish characters you’d love to date?
What topic did you pick for this week’s relationship freebie?

(This post is a re-post from March 6, 2023. I just needed a break after a crazy last few days!)