If you’re looking for a holiday romcom with lots of spice, go to Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone!
Recluse Isaac and extrovert Sunny are the focus of thiIf you’re looking for a holiday romcom with lots of spice, go to Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone!
Recluse Isaac and extrovert Sunny are the focus of this book. This is the third book of the Christmas Notch series, but can be read as a standalone (book 2 is featured in the photo as well).
Things I liked: the humor interspersed with heavier topics, how relatable the characters are, LGBTQIA+ rep, holiday theme
Things I didn’t like: too much spice, not a fluid plot, the prologue seems out of place even having read the other books, too many characters introduced too quickly, side plots were a bit messy. I wanted to love this more but I just didn’t connect to this one ...more
I am honored to be participating in the BookSparks Fall Pop Up to feature Elephant Touch.
This is a beautiful, short novel about hope and reintegratioI am honored to be participating in the BookSparks Fall Pop Up to feature Elephant Touch.
This is a beautiful, short novel about hope and reintegration into life after significant loss. Quinn, the young main character, loses her mother in an accident, and experiences deep depression after, until her Aunt Lizzie takes her on a trip to an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. There, Quinn’s hope and gratitude grows in many beautiful ways.
The writing was simple (and it is geared toward the YA audience) but it’s from the POV of a 12 year old girl, so it felt authentic. Seeing Quinn’s mental and emotional improvement was wonderful, and the book contained so many great messages.
I LOVE elephants, so I especially loved the information about elephants and that the book showed their emotional intelligence and beauty.
This book had very little to do with banned books other than a few topical references and the mention of a baI loved this BUT the title is misleading!
This book had very little to do with banned books other than a few topical references and the mention of a banned books club that some of the characters joined. Despite this, I really enjoyed the book, but the title really doesn’t fit.
I loved that it’s part women’s fiction, part romance, and part suspense.
There is good commentary on how victims of SA are treated after coming forward. Gia handled her situation with grace and compassion, especially after returning to her hometown so many years later. Shoutout to Cormac for fighting for the truth and his unwavering integrity.
There is a lot going on in this book and several plot lines, but it’s easy to follow and I was thoroughly invested. Some parts were admittedly a bit clunky or even superfluous, but overall I really enjoyed it.
***Please be sure to review trigger warnings, which include SA and DV.
Thank you HTP and The Hive for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I really enjoy Liane’s books, so I was thrilled to receive the ARC of her next book!
This was such an interesting concept for a story about life, timeI really enjoy Liane’s books, so I was thrilled to receive the ARC of her next book!
This was such an interesting concept for a story about life, time, and priorities. A woman on a plane predicts each passenger’s cause of death and age of death. I was invested from the beginning as we follow some of these plane passengers after that fateful flight.
It is a long book (>500 pages), but the short chapters and multiple POVs help with pacing. I loved the ending and how everything connected.
There are funny moments and heartbreaking moments. There are themes of grief and death. But there is also a beautiful message about living life to its fullest in the unknown amount of time we have here.
Thank you Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Okay okay, I’m really sorry, this one wasn’t for me. My reviews are 100% honest, but keep in mind every review is subjective!! Just because it wasn’t Okay okay, I’m really sorry, this one wasn’t for me. My reviews are 100% honest, but keep in mind every review is subjective!! Just because it wasn’t for me doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.
This had a large dose of magical realism, and you absolutely have to suspend belief to follow along in the plot. The plot itself had a lot of potential, but fell short of achieving it.
It was a slowwwww burn. The first kiss happens at 50% through the book. And even then, the romance wasn’t that great unfortunately. Brynn and Josh weren’t even friends as roommates, but suddenly they’re in love? There was little to no tension, and it all fell a bit flat. Moreover, I just wasn’t ever invested in these characters.
There are a lot of similarities to 90’s/00’s TV shows, and a bunch of Easter eggs in characters’ names and multiple pop culture references, which was fun.
Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Just a so-so short story from Lisa Unger. I felt like too much was attempted for a short story. I also felt like it was all very predictable. However,Just a so-so short story from Lisa Unger. I felt like too much was attempted for a short story. I also felt like it was all very predictable. However, it did have the creepy factor (especially the smart house and the sad girl in the garden). It’s a good spooky season short story, but nothing groundbreaking. ...more
Wren and Blake were wonderful, and I loved their story. They also felt super real and relatable, which is huge. From vulnerability and reflecting on tWren and Blake were wonderful, and I loved their story. They also felt super real and relatable, which is huge. From vulnerability and reflecting on the past to moving forward, from cuteness to steam, this whole book was great.
This was the story of Medusa told from her point of view. I’ve been loving Greek mythology retellings lately (Song of Achilles, Circe, among others), This was the story of Medusa told from her point of view. I’ve been loving Greek mythology retellings lately (Song of Achilles, Circe, among others), and this stood up to these greats.
While I was familiar with Medusa’s story, I didn’t know all the intricacies of her relationships with Poseidon (sad and has a TW, albeit in this case part of her mythology) and Athena (what a betrayal), her sisters (loved the full circle), and other gods. I loved hearing about her life, and especially loved her bond with her snakes. It was refreshing to see the mortal side to the monster Medusa.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an ALC, and I loved listening to this story. The narrator did a wonderful job, and I found I kept looking for times that I could listen to this book!
Thank you Hachette Audio, Grand Central Pub, and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Funny and sweet, while still exploring some deeper themes.
❤️Single parent ❤️Age gap (43F, 29M) ❤️Slow burn ❤️Friends to lovers ❤️Insta-love ❤️HEA
Jack waFunny and sweet, while still exploring some deeper themes.
❤️Single parent ❤️Age gap (43F, 29M) ❤️Slow burn ❤️Friends to lovers ❤️Insta-love ❤️HEA
Jack was just so sweet and thoughtful, mature and loyal. I loved that someone as wonderful as Zoe could experience that in the wake of her life being turned upside down. However, I really don’t love a third act breakup. But it was well intentioned in this one, and didn’t bother me as much as others.
I did love Zoe’s constant love for her kids and standing by them and protecting their feelings. She seemed like a wonderful mother. How much do we all despise Brian?!
Overall a really sweet lighthearted read. The narrator did a wonderful job as well.
Thank you Dreamscape and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
From the same author of last year’s The Wishing Game, now comes Narnia-inspired The Lost Story
Disclaimer: I do not typically read fantasy, so this revFrom the same author of last year’s The Wishing Game, now comes Narnia-inspired The Lost Story
Disclaimer: I do not typically read fantasy, so this review is coming from someone who is not usually immersed in this genre. I say this because, for those who love fantasy, I could see how this may disappoint. Moreover, it felt on the verge of YA for me, which I also don’t typically read.
I did really enjoy this book though. I loved the premise, and was immediately hooked. The characters were quirky and relatable, which I love. I didn’t expect the romance portion, but it wasn’t a bad addition. Despite my enjoyment, I did feel the second half was rushed, and there was more “telling” than showing (mainly from the “storyteller” I think). I also wish there was more development of Emilie and Skya’s relationship, as it felt a bit forced and superficial. But overall, a cute story that I read in one day.
My rating was my gut reaction immediately after finishing the book, and not a reflection of its literary standing. But I have really enjoyed both of this author’s books thus far.
Thank you Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I really enjoy a good popcorn thriller. This book fit the bill, but was also more neighborhood drama, family drama, crime suspense.
There were a couplI really enjoy a good popcorn thriller. This book fit the bill, but was also more neighborhood drama, family drama, crime suspense.
There were a couple twists throughout! I will admit the reveal of Dr. Taylor’s murderer did surprise me. The other couple twists, not so much, but still added to the story.
Without giving any spoilers: one of the “twists” didn’t sit well with me, even though I saw it coming. The reason I hated it most was because of Cassie, and her relationship with this character despite her mom Anna’s relationship with this character. That makes NO sense, and I would’ve kept Cassie far, far away.
All said, I was invested throughout, and the narrator did a great job.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
The Wedding People was witty, with dark humor, and I laughed out loud a few times. However it was also emotional, poignant, and had excellent characteThe Wedding People was witty, with dark humor, and I laughed out loud a few times. However it was also emotional, poignant, and had excellent character development.
I was pulled in from the very beginning. It started sad but transformed into a humorous story of Phoebe ingratiating herself into Lila and Gary’s wedding and their guests. Phoebe’s character arc was wonderful, and her honesty and compassion were inspiring. Lila, though spoiled and, at times, immature, was not annoying, and I enjoyed her confiding in Phoebe. With all that occurred during the wedding week, it shows that people really do come into your life for a reason.
It’s set in Rhode Island, which was so fun for me because I’m from RI!
This is also now a #readwithJenna book club book, so you know it’s gonna be a good one! This would also make an amazing movie.
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