Awkwardly Introverted

  You ever finish a book and get stuck on a side character? Like, the main couple got their happily ever after, but your brain is screaming “Wait—what about him though?” That’s exactly how I felt after reading  The Last Piece of His Heart  by Emma Scott. The book? Beautiful. Heart-wrenching. Emotional. Emma did what Emma always does—breaks you apart and stitches you back together. But even after all that, one name stayed with me:  Frankie Dowd . Now let’s be real—Frankie wasn’t funny. He wasn’t the lovable sidekick or the brooding best friend. He was the bully in book one, loud and cruel, the kind of kid you pray grows up and gets what’s coming to him. And guess what? In book three, he does. Frankie’s hit rock bottom. Homeless. Alone. Unrecognizable. No support system. No redemption… yet. But in a powerful full-circle moment,  Ronan —the lost boy who once stood on the edge—gives Frankie a second chance. He offers him a job. A couch. A little light in the darknes...

This year, I set a Goodreads reading challenge for myself, and I’m thrilled to say I’ve officially surpassed it! Books have been my escape, my comfort, and, at times, my guide through life’s more complex realities. From swoony hockey romances to thought-provoking non-fiction, my reading list has been a mix of light-hearted enjoyment and deep reflection. Surpassing my goal isn’t just a personal victory—it’s a reminder of the power of stories to shape how we see ourselves and the world. Whether through the escapism of sports romances or the hard truths of healthcare reform, books offer a unique lens into life’s struggles and victories. From Fiction to Reality: Healthcare’s Harsh Truths As I celebrate this milestone, my reading journey is about to take a sobering turn. After finishing my current hockey romance, I’ll be diving into  Delay, Deny, Defend  by Jay M. Feinman—a critical look at the greed and corruption within the health insurance industry. This choice feels especially ...