This is one of those books that was very up and down for me! I didn't like the beginning much, but it grew on me a lot in the middle. Then it just draThis is one of those books that was very up and down for me! I didn't like the beginning much, but it grew on me a lot in the middle. Then it just dragged on and there were too many obstacles. So two stars in the end.
But I did like it as really a Titanic survivor story and I DO forget how quickly WWI followed it.
Annnd this finishes my other reading goal of reading two owned ebooks every month. This is the second year in a row that I've done it and I do enjoy it. Both for the pleasure of actually attacking that reading stack and for reading books that are a little older. And books that I was once desperate to read and yet someone never did!
Next year I think I'm going to continue doing 2 owned ebooks, 2 owned physical books a month, and add a fifth owned book that can be of either type. (According to GoodReads, I have 242 unread books. I need to add some ARCs I picked up from work over the last few years, but otherwise, I think that's about right.)...more
I took a bit of a break from Eloisa James, but this one sounded fun and it WAS. One of those low key romances without a ton of conflict (in a good wayI took a bit of a break from Eloisa James, but this one sounded fun and it WAS. One of those low key romances without a ton of conflict (in a good way), just two characters really growing to know and accept THEMSELVES better. I liked it.
Also set in Gregorian times, what, is that even allowed! I will likely go back and read the previous books in the series, but I will definitely read and cross my fingers for the next one, which is about the shy sister!!
PS: This completes my goal of reading 2 owned physical books a month for 2019!
Re-read January 2021
I wanted to re-read after I finally read the first books in the series. Still fun!...more
There are these lines Tessa Dare sometimes writes that just make me uncomfortable:
"Take your kind invitation and run home with it. When soldiers and mThere are these lines Tessa Dare sometimes writes that just make me uncomfortable:
"Take your kind invitation and run home with it. When soldiers and maids live under the same roof, things happen. And if you happen to find yourself under me again . . ." his hungry gaze raked her body. "You wouldn't escape so easily."
She gasped. "You are a beast."
"Just a man, Miss Finch. Just a man."
Several years ago, I DNF'd Romancing the Duke very early on for a similar exchange. In a contemporary setting, this kind of dynamic TOTALLY works for me, but in a historical, it just reads as threatening to me. Especially so early in the relationship.
Anyway, what I really wanted to do was read the second book in the series, but when I started it, it made me feel like I should read this one first, so I did. (I own both of them.) And I definitely see a lot here that I WANT to work for me. It's a great community, a great cast of characters, but it took me over a month to get through this. (I didn't DNF because I still want to read the second book!!! Except of course now I need a long break before trying it because this just didn't work for me.)...more
Another learning time book I read at work. I'm not a manager, but maybe someday! And this was a good look at how to give/receive feedback and basicallAnother learning time book I read at work. I'm not a manager, but maybe someday! And this was a good look at how to give/receive feedback and basically get better at understanding your teams and how to get better at seeing what's really going on.
One thing I hope to remember is the rockstar/superstar framework. Rock stars are the people who are super awesome at their jobs and are content where they're are. Superstars are the people who are super awesome at their jobs and want more. And that they're not really static categories--people will fall into different categories throughout their lives (I know I have). AND that both kind of people are important to have on your team. You need both!
However--and this is a roundabout way of asking for recommendations--Scott's experiences are all with the big tech companies (Google, Apple, Twitter) or businesses she's started. I work in public service and a union workplace. I don't really see myself NOT working in public service. And that does make a difference. She talks a lot about firing people and, oh, okay, I'll just fire people without going through the steps laid out in the contract. I'm sure that'll work out for me. (For the record, proud union member here! I was on the last contract negotiation team.) I think it's okay that Scott didn't talk about experiences she doesn't have, but it did make me want to read this kind of book from someone in the public sector. Anyone have a recommendation?...more
Three stars because i'm not sure this will stick with me, BUT it stuck me as a very realistic depiction of how it would be if you do suddenly are askeThree stars because i'm not sure this will stick with me, BUT it stuck me as a very realistic depiction of how it would be if you do suddenly are asked to question everything you grew up believing. It is NOT an easy transition and this book shows that....more
I don't really have a lot to say, but I enjoyed this! It might be the first memoir I've read by someone younger than me, which was also interesting!I don't really have a lot to say, but I enjoyed this! It might be the first memoir I've read by someone younger than me, which was also interesting!...more
Soooooo much sex! Also it was pretty insta-love-y, which is a problem when the characters are risking their jobs to be together. I need to buy it! AlsSoooooo much sex! Also it was pretty insta-love-y, which is a problem when the characters are risking their jobs to be together. I need to buy it! Also the hero came back to his hometown because (view spoiler)[his dad has the West Nile virus????? WHAT. (hide spoiler)]
Anyway, this does mostly get libraries right, but:
1. At least twice, Angie is described as turning the libraries on in the morning. Noooooo, leave them on for updates!
2. Is Nice County not a union workplace? Now, branch managers aren't repped at my library, but I'm the union secretary and a shop steward and we are here for you! If you ARE repped and are invited to a disciplinary meeting, TELL YOUR UNION. We will come to the meeting, take notes, and help you!
Oh, and you probably SHOULD get fired (view spoiler)[if you have sex in the workplace!!! It didn't even come up in their disciplinary hearing!!! (hide spoiler)]...more
This was okay???? I do think three stories were too many here, which I haven't always felt (I think) with Morgan's more recent books. Especially sinceThis was okay???? I do think three stories were too many here, which I haven't always felt (I think) with Morgan's more recent books. Especially since (view spoiler)[we missed out entirely on the parents's actual reconciliation??? The last we saw was the dad going to try and find Katie and then there was a blizzard and I wasn't sure if I should be worried about him! (hide spoiler)]
The lack of the male POV really stood out to me in this one. (The POVs are the mom and her two daughters.) Which, again, I haven't felt in other Morgan books.
Anyway! It's interesting! I've appreciated Sarah Morgan's first steps into new subgenres (both these more women's fictions ones and when she first stepped out of Harlequins), but after a few books, they just don't work as well for me.
I guess I'm saying that for my own personal benefit, she should genre hop again!...more
Eh, I got kind of bored by the end. I think this needed to be shorter, maybe? DEFINITELY could have done without (view spoiler)[the cake being ruined!Eh, I got kind of bored by the end. I think this needed to be shorter, maybe? DEFINITELY could have done without (view spoiler)[the cake being ruined! (hide spoiler)] I also felt like I needed more of the friendships??? Evie wasn't the greatest friend, but I'm not sure any of them were????
I liked the romance okay, but I might've needed a little more....more
This definitely feels like a "it's me, not you" rating. For one thing, you have to be willing to buy into the instant connection and I just didn't. FoThis definitely feels like a "it's me, not you" rating. For one thing, you have to be willing to buy into the instant connection and I just didn't. For another, it turns out I don't really like love stories where (view spoiler)[the characters are separated by time like this! (hide spoiler)] Oh, also there's too much of one character doing something for the character's own good.
The setting felt really well done and it did keep me reading, but . . . in the end, it just felt not worth it....more
This did read better to me than the last one and, yay, I'm finished, but . . . it all could've been better! (view spoiler)[I sort of figured the duke This did read better to me than the last one and, yay, I'm finished, but . . . it all could've been better! (view spoiler)[I sort of figured the duke would be the bad guy. I mean, it was either that or he died. Gotta get rid of the love triangle! (hide spoiler)]...more
Most of my problems with this can be summed up with . . . it's a novella. (view spoiler)[Way too fast to fall in love, not enough time to overcome LYIMost of my problems with this can be summed up with . . . it's a novella. (view spoiler)[Way too fast to fall in love, not enough time to overcome LYING, not enough time to spend a month apart and still be that into each other. Also please don't have sex in a library. (hide spoiler)]...more
WELL. This is every bit as intense as advertised and (you knew this) Ronan Farrow can WRITE. I might have to go read his other book now. But I also stWELL. This is every bit as intense as advertised and (you knew this) Ronan Farrow can WRITE. I might have to go read his other book now. But I also strongly agree with all the reviews that said it also feels very hopeful because as much as it's a story about people doing the wrong thing, it's also about people fighting hard to do the RIGHT thing and SUCCEEDING at it. I mean, I had no idea of Rich McHugh's role in all of this! And all the women who came forward and all the people who worked on this story before. They risked SO MUCH. Ronan probably would've been fine no matter what--but also could've so easily given up for that very reason. And, of course, Jon Lovett, who is a wonderful addition to this book and should probably write a book of his own someday.
I have the audio as well and am eager to listen to it, especially the last part--I sped read while very tired because I need to finish so I could focus on my life again!...more
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