Liars by Sarah Manguso is told in an odd format, but it is so raw and emotional that I couldn't help but enjoy it. I will say that I definitely preferLiars by Sarah Manguso is told in an odd format, but it is so raw and emotional that I couldn't help but enjoy it. I will say that I definitely preferred the audiobook for this format since there weren't any quotation marks and the narrator did such a fantastic job. Rebecca Lowman had just the right tone and she really encapsulated every element in the story from the emotional moments to the dramatic ones.
Manguso captures a toxic marriage with incredible insight, and the short, searing sentences makes it feel extra punchy. I hated John from the start, and I wasn't all that fond of Jane either, but I was completely engrossed in their story. I would definitely pick up this author again! Read this if you enjoy (used loosely) books that center on disintegrating marriages, the lies we tell ourselves, and trauma.
I received an advance listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I have been meaning to read Ally Condie's The Only Girl in Town ever since it came out, but I hadn't realized the author connection prior to finishingI have been meaning to read Ally Condie's The Only Girl in Town ever since it came out, but I hadn't realized the author connection prior to finishing The Unwedding. This appears to be her first attempt at adult fiction, and in my opinion, it was a huge success! I loved Ellery and I loved that she teamed up with Ravi and Nina to figure out who killed Ben as well as other various mysteries they encounter along the way. They made such a great team, and Ravi and Nina made me laugh constantly. Each day begins with a “Today at The Resort at Broken Point” section that mentions weather and various art installations around the resort. I loved this touch, and I thought it was a nice addition to the storyline.
The Unwedding was a very quick read with a fast pace and I could have easily finished it in one day. The audiobook was the ideal accompaniment to the book, and I LOVED Christine Lakin as the narrator. I always enjoy listening to her anyway, but she was the perfect person to give voice to Ellery along with the other characters. Everyone’s secrets are revealed as the book goes on, including the tragedy in Ellery’s past that we get glimpses of through flashbacks. I really enjoyed the way Condie structured the book, and her writing flowed really well and was very absorbing. Read this if you enjoy whodunnits set in beautiful locations, surprising conclusions, and well-developed characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
The Nightingale is the first book I ever bought by Kristin Hannah and it just so happened to be at the launch where I got to meet her. Now here I am 9The Nightingale is the first book I ever bought by Kristin Hannah and it just so happened to be at the launch where I got to meet her. Now here I am 9 years later having finally read it, and it blew me away just as I knew it would. This is a very emotional read that introduces WWII in France making it all the way through the war and after. There is also a viewpoint set in 1995 which is the current day for the book, and I was totally thrown by who that ends up being. Not sure if I missed something or if that's what Hannah intended but at the end I was ...more
I will be up front about my feelings, The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister is a WEIRD book, but I oddly loved it! Weird doesn’t always work for me, and franI will be up front about my feelings, The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister is a WEIRD book, but I oddly loved it! Weird doesn’t always work for me, and frankly it rarely does, but I was completely enamored by this gothic storyline all about a family in a cranberry bog. It is a pretty slow burn overall, but I found myself not wanting to put it down, and I spent much of the book wondering if the bog really was all that it seemed.
I went the audiobook route and even though there are multiple viewpoints, I thought Shannon McManus did an excellent job. Though nothing necessarily stood out to me about her narration, she was pleasant to listen to and I thought she was able to capture the ambiance of the story very well. Chronister’s writing was extremely vivid without being over the top, and she made it easy to feel like I was there myself. Read this if you enjoy settings as a character, stories rooted in folklore, and unusual narratives. ...more
The Group Trip by Audrey Ingram is a treasure, and just what I happened to be in the mood for right now! I felt so many emotions while I was listeningThe Group Trip by Audrey Ingram is a treasure, and just what I happened to be in the mood for right now! I felt so many emotions while I was listening to this, and I feel like I both laughed and cried in equal measure. I loved that this focused on a group of 6 friends and the dual timeline really helps you get a picture of how they ended up where they are now as well as their relationships with each other. I didn't want to put it down, and I could have easily turned this into a one day read.
The audiobook is equally as fantastic as the book itself with Megan Tusing as the narrator, though I will say it helped that the entire story is told from Chloe's viewpoint. I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job than Tusing with these characters, and her voice and style were the perfect fit. There is also plenty of drama in The Group Trip as well as some romance and lots of secrets. I would make sure to check triggers prior to reading but would definitely recommend if you enjoy storylines about friend groups with jaw dropping moments and a beachy vibe! ...more
I was in the mood for something with an element of magical realism, and I knew it had to be The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman. II was in the mood for something with an element of magical realism, and I knew it had to be The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman. I read and loved her book The Magic All Around but I loved this one even more and it was such a delight to read. I love time travel and when you throw in parallel timelines where the characters have big decisions to make, it just creates an even more intense and interesting read. I loved the present timeline and Josephine’s relationship with her mom and sister, and the 1920s timeline was excellent with its Prohibition era speakeasy and dash of romance and drama.
I was so close to ugly crying at the end of The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds, and I definitely found myself tearing up often. Despite the serious subject matters Moorman touches on, this book made me laugh as well and I can’t imagine a better way she could have wrapped the story up. There is a lot of tension throughout along with moments that will touch your heart in the best possible way. Read this if you enjoy time travel, family themes, romance, and hopeful endings!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
It's taken me much too long to read a book by Evie Gaughan (AKA Evie Woods) and that feels evident now that I know how much I love her writing. The StIt's taken me much too long to read a book by Evie Gaughan (AKA Evie Woods) and that feels evident now that I know how much I love her writing. The Story Collector was such a charming read, and I loved the setting in Ireland as well as the combination of present-day Sarah reading Anna's diary. I got just as caught up in her story as Sarah did and the two timelines were equally fascinating. The Irish folklore surrounding faeries added a lovely touch of magical realism and this would be the perfect book to read in the dead of winter in front of a fireplace.
Heather O’Sullivan narrates the audiobook for The Story Collector, and I thought she did an outstanding job switching between the Irish and American accents for the characters. I really enjoyed my listening experience and also appreciated the fact that the accent wasn’t so heavy that I couldn’t understand what O’Sullivan was saying. There is a little romance in the story but that isn’t what takes center stage, and I loved that the focus was on the setting and the historical elements. Read this if you enjoy bittersweet endings, the setting as a character, and wonderfully complex characters. ...more
If Anything Happens To Me by Luanne Rice is something I basically decided to read on a whim and I’m quite happy with the way that turned out! I don’t If Anything Happens To Me by Luanne Rice is something I basically decided to read on a whim and I’m quite happy with the way that turned out! I don’t read too much YA anymore, but this was a great mystery/thriller as well as being quite emotional. I also learned something new that may or may not be a real thing, and I loved watching Oli and Iris try to solve the mystery of Eloise’s death. Some moments are quite tense and there is lots of action as well which created a very fast paced ride.
I really enjoyed the audiobook and was a fan of Marli Watson as the narrator. Her voice fit with what I would imagine for someone Oli’s age, and her narration was very smooth and emotive. I couldn’t believe the climax, and I do think you have to suspend a bit of disbelief since I’m not sure everything that happened in here would be possible for the age they are at. Read this if you are in the mood for YA you can consume in one sitting and unreliable narrators! It would also be perfect for a younger audience since it isn't very intense and the sisterhood theme is a touching one....more
I haven't read anything by Jayne Allen before, but I was in the mood for something Christmassy and decided that would be The Most Wonderful Time! WhilI haven't read anything by Jayne Allen before, but I was in the mood for something Christmassy and decided that would be The Most Wonderful Time! While this wasn't brimming with holiday cheer as I had hoped, it was a nice romance that was both humorous and thought-provoking. I really enjoyed Ramona and Chelsea's viewpoints, and I loved that we get something different from each of them after they swap homes for a week. Ramona's refusal to accept her fiancé breaking up with her and Chelsea's creative funk get put into a different perspective after they see how the other lives and meet people in each other’s lives.
The Most Wonderful Time is solid on audio and while it wasn't anything I would call special, I really enjoyed listening to Mela Lee and I thought she did a great job differentiating her voice between the two female characters. At times it felt like there were 2 narrators instead of 1 and that is something I always like! The end isn’t necessarily wrapped up in a pretty HEA, but it was very realistic and left me feeling hopeful for Ramona and Chelsea. I would recommend this if you enjoy books that focus on family and reflection and are set around the holidays instead of focusing on them. ...more
I haven't read anything by Jennifer Probst before but when Get Red PR reached out to me and I read the blurb, there was no way I was going to say no. I haven't read anything by Jennifer Probst before but when Get Red PR reached out to me and I read the blurb, there was no way I was going to say no. I love bookish books, especially those that have the POV of an author, and Book of the Month made for a super fun time. Part romantic comedy and part steamy romance, this was just what I needed right now, and I enjoyed it immensely. Brick balanced Aspen out perfectly with his gruff exterior but cinnamon roll inside, and I think I loved him even more than Aspen.
I listened to the audiobook while I followed along in the book, and I would recommend the audio if you love audio as much as I do. Alexander Cendese and Mia Hutchinson-Shaw perfectly embodied Brick and Aspen, though I would say Cendese's female voice could use a little work. ...more
Oh, how I loved We Are Made of Stars. This is the second book of Rochelle B. Weinstein's that I have read, and the second one I gave 5 stars to, whichOh, how I loved We Are Made of Stars. This is the second book of Rochelle B. Weinstein's that I have read, and the second one I gave 5 stars to, which is clearly a sign that I need to read her entire backlist. This story is told from multiple viewpoints with all of the various couples at the inn being represented with a POV from either one or both of them. I loved that Weinstein was able to structure it like this and still keep the mysteriousness of what each of their secrets were, some up until the very end! I was gasping and my jaw was dropping in some instances, and this book is literally full of surprises.
The setting of Vis Ta Vie Inn was beautiful, homey, and iridescent despite all the needed repairs, and it felt extremely vivid thanks to the author's writing style. Each character and relationship are perfectly sculpted and defined, so even though there are multiple viewpoints and lots of them to keep track of you are always firmly aware of who each person is. This was also what I would call a total foodie read, and I loved that each day started off with the menu for the guests. The food descriptions made my mouth water, and I longed to be at the inn. Read this if you love lots of drama, twists that will make your head spin, and astonishing secrets!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
Can a person/author be a happy place? If so, I think mine is officially Victoria Lavine. Any Trope but You may be a debut novel but I would never peg Can a person/author be a happy place? If so, I think mine is officially Victoria Lavine. Any Trope but You may be a debut novel but I would never peg it as one, and Margot and Forrest's story stole my heart. The title is quite literal in the respect that this book is jam PACKED with the standard romance tropes, and Margot as a romance author definitely thinks Forrest is too good to be true. There is some excellent sexual tension between the two and my god did things get spicy.
Not only did I ugly cry during the ending, but I also teared up multiple times and it’s kind of ridiculous how beautiful Lavine made this book. There is chronic pain rep (so important!) and a sisterly bond between Margot and Savannah that will probably make some people jealous. You can tell that the author loves the romance community, and this is basically a love letter to romance readers everywhere. I loved every minute of this moving and hilarious read, and I will definitely be buying a finished copy once it is out in the world.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
John Marrs has such an interesting mind, and I love these wild and crazy books he creates. The Family Experiment is set in the same world as The PasseJohn Marrs has such an interesting mind, and I love these wild and crazy books he creates. The Family Experiment is set in the same world as The Passengers, The Marriage Act, The One, etc., and I'm really glad I started at the beginning of publication with those books to fully appreciate the dystopian world-building that is going on across the board. There are also easter eggs that are not to be missed throughout! The Family Experiment looked at what could happen if we had the ability to create AI children in a metaverse and using a VR headset actually parent these children. It happens in an accelerated timeframe on reality TV, but the concept is there and it's scary to think about with AI being so prominent these days.
The layout of the book screams for a full cast on the audiobook, so I was happy that that is exactly what we got! Clare Corbett, Clifford Samuel, Eilidh Beaton, Joshua Riley, Justin Avoth, Thomas Judd, & Nneka Okoye all did an incredible job and even though there are a lot of characters, I think the audio is the way to go and I was never confused. Along with mixed media that brought fantastic sound effects with the audio, we also have viewpoints from the various couples as well as others. There were some great jaw-dropping moments and twisty twists, and it made me think about that Tamagotchi I had a million years ago as a kid. If you enjoy dystopian worlds, thrillers, sci-fi, and a dash of speculative fiction this is the book for you, and I highly recommend starting with the oldest publication dates and working your way through!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I was a huge fan of The Last Story of Mina Lee, so I was excited to see what Nancy Jooyoun Kim's sophomore novel What We Kept to Ourselves would bringI was a huge fan of The Last Story of Mina Lee, so I was excited to see what Nancy Jooyoun Kim's sophomore novel What We Kept to Ourselves would bring. This was a slow-burn character-driven work of literary fiction with a mystery element, and while I loved the end and the twists, I don't think it needed to be almost 400 pages. It also moved too slowly for my liking and felt repetitive, but only as far as the same topics being brought up repeatedly. I did appreciate the subject of Agent Orange, and knowing someone who was in the Vietnam War and hearing stories about it previously, made that part really stand out for me even though that piece was relatively small.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed Jennifer Kim as the narrator, but I would have appreciated a full cast for the various viewpoints. That wasn't a huge deal for me, but something I want to point out all the same. Honestly, I was close to a DNF multiple times, but the audiobook kept me going and I HAD to find out what happened with Sunny. I will admit that my attention wandered quite a bit almost the entire time I was listening to What We Kept to Ourselves, but in no way should this stop you from reading. I am definitely in the minority here and did enjoy multiple things including the exploration of secrets. If you enjoy slow burns and character studies with a focus on other cultures, I would still recommend giving this a go.
Thank you to the publishers and Libro.fm for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own....more
I did not know headed into Lowcountry Lost by T.I. Lowe that it was Christian fiction (not a normal genre for me), but since I love Lauren K. DentonI did not know headed into Lowcountry Lost by T.I. Lowe that it was Christian fiction (not a normal genre for me), but since I love Lauren K. Denton it shouldn't be a surprise that I loved it. The entire book is told from the viewpoint of Avalee and man did I love this headstrong leading lady. She is basically trying to hide her trauma in a box and not think about it, but once her ex-husband arrives onsite to help with the reconstruction of the ghost town she is bringing back to life, she can't help but deal with it and all the pain that brings. There are triggers in this book that I felt despite not experiencing them myself, and I would definitely check subject matters prior to reading.
I loved the found family elements as well as the rekindling of a romance that was thought long gone on Avalee's end. This is a slow burn with a setup much like an HGTV show and I was hooked from the very beginning. The southern vibes are off the chart since this is set in South Carolina, and there are so many food references that it was literally making my mouth water. The secondary characters are anything but second, and I fell in love with every single person (and animal - looking at you Preacher!) in the novel.
Lowcountry Lost exceeded any expectations I could have possibly had, and I ended up laughing but also crying my eyes out, especially after the must-read note from the author. Even if you aren't a fan of clean romance/Christian fiction but are in the mood for something that will rip your heart out and put it back together again with plenty of laughs along the way I would highly recommend giving this incredible story a chance. I will definitely be looking into reading more from Lowe!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I love Sarah Morgenthaler's Moose Springs, Alaska series but didn't even realize when I picked up The Christmas You Found Me that it was the same authI love Sarah Morgenthaler's Moose Springs, Alaska series but didn't even realize when I picked up The Christmas You Found Me that it was the same author. While this still had humor like her other books, it was also a lot more serious and emotional which threw me for a loop a bit. After reading her acknowledgments section I realized why, and my heart just breaks for her. That being said, her heart and soul seemed to be poured into these pages, and I was extremely close to an ugly cry all thanks to that little girl Emma.
The audiobook is narrated by Haley Taylor, and even though I wouldn't call her narration perfect, it was still really good, and it made this book hit even harder for me. I loved Sienna and Guy, and the way a marriage of convenience turned into something so beautiful. There is a hint of spice, but this is mostly a closed door romance which I thought was perfect since so much focus was on Emma's kidney disease. The animals in the story also stole the show, and I loved that Sienna's dog was such an integral part. Read this if you believe in Christmas miracles, the power of love, and love books that make you feel all the things.
I received an advanced listening copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
Holy moly, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is Briony Cameron's debut, and I couldn't put this action-Holy moly, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is Briony Cameron's debut, and I couldn't put this action-packed thrill ride down. Cameron focuses on a woman who may be fictitious or made up from many forgotten women in the past with Jacquotte, and brings her idea of what her story could have been to life in this swashbuckling pirate tale. This was unlike any other historical fiction novel I have ever read, and I was completely wrapped up in both the storyline and worrying about how things would end for our fearless FMC.
I listened to the audiobook and have to say Angel Pean did an incredible job narrating. It felt like she was destined to be the voice of Jacquotte, and I thoroughly loved every bit of her narration. There is a lot of violence which can be expected when we are talking about pirates, and I could totally see this being made into an amazing movie. There is also a queer romance at its heart that I couldn't get enough of and Jacquotte is just the type of badass female lead that I love. She was unbreakable even at the hardest times, and this work of fiction will be something I remember long into the future....more
Funnily enough, my sister is the one who told me about Middletide and convinced me I should read it because she had been seeing it everywhere. I4.25/5
Funnily enough, my sister is the one who told me about Middletide and convinced me I should read it because she had been seeing it everywhere. It also doesn't hurt that my sister is a huge runner and Sarah Crouch is a professional marathon runner. ...more
Things Don't Break on Their Own by Sarah Easter Collins felt very literary mystery to me, and though it is very character-driven I loved it to the maxThings Don't Break on Their Own by Sarah Easter Collins felt very literary mystery to me, and though it is very character-driven I loved it to the max! The bonds of family run deep in this one, and the blend of Willa's quest to find her missing sister plus the alternating viewpoints and general heartbreak and drama created the perfect storm of readability. I listened to this in basically one sitting, and it grabbed me from the first page. I got lost in Collins' writing and I still can't believe this is a debut.
I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Christina Cole, Emily Lucienne & Nathalie Buscombe, and damn was it good! Each of these narrators did an excellent job with their characters and helped to completely envelop me in the story. I feel like I'm being really vague, but the synopsis is also pretty vague, and I don't want to give anything away. Things Don't Break on Their Own is an onion with many layers and excellent characterization, and I teared up and got chills at the same time. Just outstanding, and I can't wait for the author's next book.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own....more