a lovely little collection of lovely little stories! some were more depressing than others, lol, but overall I really enjoyed it! my favorites were fra lovely little collection of lovely little stories! some were more depressing than others, lol, but overall I really enjoyed it! my favorites were from Anna Ford, Nathaniel Luscombe, and the recurring characters from Cassandra Hamm
High fantasy in the most classic sense. Mysterious gifts, intercontinental politics, a slow-burn romance, what's not to love?
I really enjoyed this! ThHigh fantasy in the most classic sense. Mysterious gifts, intercontinental politics, a slow-burn romance, what's not to love?
I really enjoyed this! The golden retriever x black cat energy of our main characters was adorable, and I came to love both of them by the time we said goodbye. (goodbye for now? hopefully? I need a sequel please and thank you) Selah was so fun to follow, sassy and capable, but learning how to let herself be loved. Haven is the sweetest, goodest boy, I love him haha. Elliot as the snarky best friend is iconic.
Overall this was such a fun read and I'm glad I read it! Here's hoping we get another adventure with these characters! 4 stars from me!
*content warnings for violence, vague mentions of past sexual assault, and non-descript torture...more
"Emma" was my first Austen novel and remains one of my favorites, so when I heard that Drew was working on her own spin on it, I was very excited. Hap"Emma" was my first Austen novel and remains one of my favorites, so when I heard that Drew was working on her own spin on it, I was very excited. Happy to say, I really enjoyed it! Sweet southern charm mixes with chaotic meddling and a sweet friends-to-more slow-burn. It's a novella, so things move quick, but the growing Emma Jane does over the course of the story is lovely. There are nods and winks to various other Drew Taylor characters (which I loved!). Overall, it's an adorable little novella, and I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it ...more
“Now, what have you been doing with yourself?” “You truly wish to know? My life sports a good deal of the ridiculous,” I warned. she's not kidding, her “Now, what have you been doing with yourself?” “You truly wish to know? My life sports a good deal of the ridiculous,” I warned. she's not kidding, her life is ridiculous
this one got actual tears out of me and I think it's my favorite so far. I loved it so much....more
If I want to go on an adventure, I pick up a Victoria McCombs book. Her stories always hit the ground running and do not slow until the last page, andIf I want to go on an adventure, I pick up a Victoria McCombs book. Her stories always hit the ground running and do not slow until the last page, and "Quarter Labyrinth" is no exception. Full of twists and turns, scheming immortals, and questionable alliances, it's an un-put-down-able adventure and I was here for it! ...more
"It really frees you up, you know? Living like you believe God's plan will unfurl exactly as it should and when it should. That's the hope I cling to "It really frees you up, you know? Living like you believe God's plan will unfurl exactly as it should and when it should. That's the hope I cling to even when life doesn't go the way I planned it."
I've been a big Drew Taylor fan for years now (though I'm embarrassingly behind on her releases... I'm working on catching up in 2025 lol) and I'm so glad to report that I really enjoyed "Reverie"! It's the PERFECT summer read, fluffy and feel-good but with a lot of heart and a beautiful message of God's faithfulness. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way, and an ending that has me SO intrigued to see what happens next! I really came to love Esme, Noah, Ashton, and the rest, and the cameos from previous Drew Taylor stories had me fangirling!
"Reverie" got 4 stars from me!
*content warnings for a little violence, a lot of kissing, and some candid conversations about lust (and how to deal with it spiritually)
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**...more
I picked this up strictly because I'd heard it was chock full of "Psych" references, and since that's one of my favorite shows of all-time, *3.5 stars
I picked this up strictly because I'd heard it was chock full of "Psych" references, and since that's one of my favorite shows of all-time, I figured I'd give it a shot.
Credit where credit is due, it genuinely surprised me a couple of times. The answer of whodunnit was a twist! I liked that! I also laughed out loud a lot and I appreciate that. The "Psych" references were excellent and made me smile and it confirmed again how much I love that show.
Unfortunately there was a lot I didn't love. Not that it was bad, just not to my taste, I guess. Amelia is fun, and funny, but after awhile she's just a touch too silly and over-the-top for me. (sorry, girl. I'm glad you're not too much for Caleb. I wish you both all the happiness in the world. ...more
all I'm saying is that if emma decides she doesn't want roland or islington or hawkes I'll happily take any of them off her hands all I'm saying is that if emma decides she doesn't want roland or islington or hawkes I'll happily take any of them off her hands ...more
At this point, I'll read anything Joanna Barker writes. Like. I don't care what genre, just give it to me. (I've got a couple things left on her backlAt this point, I'll read anything Joanna Barker writes. Like. I don't care what genre, just give it to me. (I've got a couple things left on her backlist and I'm very excited about that)
This was just perfect for me personally and I'm thrilled. My only wish is that it was a little longer, but the speed wasn't an issue for me, I just wanted more story, haha! I genuinely teared up a couple of times, seeing these two people who've been through rough times finding kindness and love in one another. It's great. I loved it. 5 stars. What a fabulous way to end my 2024 reading year. ...more
Second chance romance is a trope that I tend to love, so I was very curious to see what Kayla would do with it. Turns out she put it into a romantic dSecond chance romance is a trope that I tend to love, so I was very curious to see what Kayla would do with it. Turns out she put it into a romantic dramady that had me laughing and tearing up in equal measure. We get almost a dual timeline story, jumping back and forth to the present reconnection between Macy and Nate and the past when they met and fell in love originally (and the events that split them up). I was surprised to laugh as much as I did; I don't know why I walked in expecting it to be more melancholy, but there were so many quips and awkward moments that had me chuckling. I really enjoy the way Kayla writes a story. I'm excited to check out more from her.
4 stars from me!
alexa, play "skinny dipping" by sabrina carpenter ...more
I am not nothing. I have the power to decide. I am in control of this moment.
I've been excited for "The Betrayal of Eden" since Erin first mentioned tI am not nothing. I have the power to decide. I am in control of this moment.
I've been excited for "The Betrayal of Eden" since Erin first mentioned that she was developing it. I didn't know much about "The Count of Monte Cristo", but I knew her writing style + a revenge plot was going to SLAP (and even though this first book is more the setup than the actual ...more
This was so very silly and I ate it up, tbh. (much like Hester ate up the cheese.) I've been looking forward to reading it since Elisabeth first annouThis was so very silly and I ate it up, tbh. (much like Hester ate up the cheese.) I've been looking forward to reading it since Elisabeth first announced it, and I really liked it! Huzzah!
Did I want to strangle Hugh several times? ... yes. and I think I'm justified in that.
But overall I had a lot of fun reading this. Lucas and Hester are both absolute sweethearts, and I wish them nothing but happiness (and cheese). It's a lovely little story of learning to accept help from those who love us, and I liked it a lot. 4 stars!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**...more
gosh I love this book. It's just... it's so special. Is it perfect? no. But it's perfect for me and that's all I need. Revisiting it was so special, agosh I love this book. It's just... it's so special. Is it perfect? no. But it's perfect for me and that's all I need. Revisiting it was so special, and I'm definitely going to be continuing my re-read (because book 4!! I'm so excited!!) This was one of the first indie series I explored, and Daemyn, Rosanna, and Alex still mean the whole world to me. Five stars!...more
There is nothing like a Rachel Kovaciny book to give you all the cozy feels ❤️ (and the crossovers!! so iconic!!) These stories were delightful! 4 staThere is nothing like a Rachel Kovaciny book to give you all the cozy feels ❤️ (and the crossovers!! so iconic!!) These stories were delightful! 4 stars overall from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**...more
I've been a fan of Victoria Lynn's work for a long time now, so when I heard she was coming out with a swords-and-castles, non-magical Christian fantaI've been a fan of Victoria Lynn's work for a long time now, so when I heard she was coming out with a swords-and-castles, non-magical Christian fantasy, I was instantly excited for it! And I'm happy to report that it's just as lovely as I imagined it would be. A story of God's redemption and His light in dark places, "Once I Knew" shines with the hope of the Savior. There's romance, a bit of political intrigue, wonderful family and friend bonds, and an ending that is satisfactory but still holds the promise of more.
Was it the most unique book I've ever read? No. But I didn't expect or need it to be. I walked in expecting my heart to be touched, and it delivered. It's a lovely story, but it doesn't shy away from hard and heavy topics (some things to be aware of: the loss of parents, some violence, innuendo and general grossness from some evil people, and Violet's grandmother suffers with dementia). While I do love a magical story, I still enjoyed this magic-less world. It hearkened back to the books of my childhood, and I loved it for that.
I loved the characters; Violet, who is so strong but allowed to be feminine at the same time, Obed, who doesn't know who he is and finds God's grace through that loss, Granny, who I just wanted to hug throughout the whole story. The relationships and trust grown between them made me so soft, and while the romance is maybe a bit rushed, I was still rooting for them.
Overall, I so enjoyed getting swept up in this story (I read it in two sittings, haha!) and I can't wait to see where the story goes next! Four stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**...more
With this, I believe I'm almost caught up on my OUaW reading. (which is both sad because then I won't have any more new stories and exciting because IWith this, I believe I'm almost caught up on my OUaW reading. (which is both sad because then I won't have any more new stories and exciting because I'll be caught up for whatever Rachel has in store next lol)
I just love the way Rachel tells a story, I really do. She has such a cozy and comfortable writing style, it always feels like a big hug to me. And I adore how she presents what I call "casual Christianity". Her characters are Christians, they pray and share their faith, but it's not typically a major plot point, it's just part of their lives and personalities. It feels natural and beautiful and I love it every time.
I'm glad to have properly met Miss Emma & Co., and if you don't mind, I'm off to re-read their short stories in the "Prairie Tales" anthology ...more
it's a warm blueberry muffin fresh out of the oven. it's "enchanted" meets "aladdin" meets a hallmark movie. it's goofy and silly and I ate it's a warm blueberry muffin fresh out of the oven. it's "enchanted" meets "aladdin" meets a hallmark movie. it's goofy and silly and I ate ...more