Still a favorite the second time around!! I sped through a ARC read for this book last year before it was published and didn't get a chance to listen Still a favorite the second time around!! I sped through a ARC read for this book last year before it was published and didn't get a chance to listen to the audiobook version. I'm happy to report it's just as good on audio narrated by Sarah Borges (a new to me narrator). If you enjoy historical fiction or excellent debut books based on true events with memorable characters and some great twists, this is the book for you! My favorite read of 2022 I can't recommend this book enough!...more
I was drawn to the beautiful cover for this YA coming out story but I absolutely fell in love with the characters too. Full of classic pop music referI was drawn to the beautiful cover for this YA coming out story but I absolutely fell in love with the characters too. Full of classic pop music references, tons of heart and a sweet first love story between bisexual teen, Mahalia who falls for Siobhan, a new to town biracial girl from Ireland.
All Mahalia wants is an epic great Sweet Sixteen party where she can come out to her family but her single mom is struggling with her health and finances, leaning on Mahalia more and more. Add in a rocky relationship with her father, Mahalia finds herself escaping from her home life with her friends, especially the new girl.
I received a complimentary ALC thanks to @prhaudio in exchange for my honest review. This is going to be one of my fav YA romance reads of 2022! Highly recommended for fans of I'll be the one by Lyla Lee or The henna wars by Adiba Jaigirdar....more
A hauntingly beautiful #ownvoices debut novel that should really be required reading for anyone hoping to understand better about life in Syria and thA hauntingly beautiful #ownvoices debut novel that should really be required reading for anyone hoping to understand better about life in Syria and the courage required to survive in a war-torn country. I honestly couldn't believe this was a debut book with how incredible the story was!
These characters burrowed into my heart and broke it so many times! Ostensibly a YA love story, it's also so much more! Touching on loss, grief, trauma and finding love in the most unexpected places/times. It's also about standing up for what one believes in and fighting for justice and change in a world intent on forgetting or dismissing what goes on far across the world.
My words can't do this book justice, do yourself a favor and pick it up but be sure to have some kleenex handy! Great on audio narrated by Rasha Zamamiri and perfect for fans of No light to land on by Yara Zgheib (another stand out debut this year about life in Syria)....more
For a novella this book packed such an emotional punch!! I absolutely LOVED this grumpy/sunshine, second chance, single dad, firefighter holiday romanFor a novella this book packed such an emotional punch!! I absolutely LOVED this grumpy/sunshine, second chance, single dad, firefighter holiday romance between two high school sweethearts who reunite in their 40s.
I love when the woman is the Grinch and does Eva ever have reason to hate the holidays. Dealing with the death of her estranged mother (who suffered from mental health problems), Eva has never had good memories of the holidays but her high school flame/ex-NFL player Zebb is determined to make this year different!
STEAMY and full of heart! I seriously couldn't put this book down and felt ALL the feels. Bonus that there was some great disability rep in the form of Zebb's daughter who has prosthetic limbs. Double bonus this was AMAZING on audio narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Stella Hunter!!
I can't recommend this book enough, especially on audio. Excuse me while I go binge everything else this author has written because I am a new die-hard fan!...more
Short but powerful, I really, really enjoyed this family drama that takes place over Christmas as three grown siblings, their partners and children coShort but powerful, I really, really enjoyed this family drama that takes place over Christmas as three grown siblings, their partners and children come together to celebrate the holidays and figure out what to do with their dead mother's house - the only inheritance she left them.
Told from multiple POVs, this book was perfect for fans of The nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney or When I ran away by Ilona Bannister. I found it so relatable, emotional and moving! The author did such a great job capturing the grief of all the characters and their very real struggles of modern marriage and motherhood, while also weaving in climate change concerns and financial woes in today's economy.
Great on audio narrated by Andi Arndt - this one will stick with me for a long time and keep me thinking long after I finished! A top contender for my favorites of 2022 list too!
⚠️CW: drug addiction, infertility, pregnancy loss, death of a parent...more
What a beautiful and incredibly inspiring picture book based on the real life of Saudi Arabian activist Loujain Alhathoul!! I knew nothing of this amaWhat a beautiful and incredibly inspiring picture book based on the real life of Saudi Arabian activist Loujain Alhathoul!! I knew nothing of this amazing woman and absolutely loved this picture book inspired by her brave acts fighting for women’s rights to drive in Saudi Arabia. Highly, highly recommended!!...more
OMG. Mind-blowing twists! My new ABSOLUTE favorite thriller by this author!! The holiday vibes, the dark family secrets. Two killers playing a dangeroOMG. Mind-blowing twists! My new ABSOLUTE favorite thriller by this author!! The holiday vibes, the dark family secrets. Two killers playing a dangerous cat and mouse, mutually assured destruction game. The REALLY creepy holiday 'games'. Man, everything just worked for me with this book and it was INCREDIBLE on audio, especially because of the tape recording parts of the story - they worked so well on the audiobook. HIGHLY recommended. This was a 10/10 for me. Possibly my favorite thriller of the year!! Much thanks to @Libro.fm for the complimentary ALC!...more
OMG, how have I not heard more about how amazing this new to me indie author is??
I absolutely LOVED this book. It was like the perfect dose of all thOMG, how have I not heard more about how amazing this new to me indie author is??
I absolutely LOVED this book. It was like the perfect dose of all things fall with a sweet best friends to lovers, dual POV, kissing only love story. Hunter and Chloe are high school best friends who still work together (he's a music video producer, she's a make up artist) but they've never taken the chance on something more. It takes Hunter's dad dying for him to realize he needs to change the way he's been living life and go after the girl he's always loved.
Highlights:
-Mutual pining -Great banter -Flashbacks -#OwnVoices disability rep (scoliosis) -Lingering touches and tingle inducing gestures -Great secondary cast of characters -Fun plot (falling in love making a music video)
I can't say enough good things about this book other than you need to read it immediately! I loved everything about it and will be going right into the first book in this series that features Hunter's twin brother Luke. This can be read as a standalone though. My not reading the first book didn't detract from my enjoyment in any shape or form.
Highly recommended for fans of Sarah Adams or BK Borison....more
I loved this story soo much, from its GORGEOUS cover to the lyrical, beautiful prose. David Alexander Robertson is a writer of supreme talents and nowI loved this story soo much, from its GORGEOUS cover to the lyrical, beautiful prose. David Alexander Robertson is a writer of supreme talents and nowhere is this more evident than in his latest adult fiction novel.
Ultimately a father-daughter story, Matthew and his sixteen year old daughter Holly are struggling. Estranged from each other, it takes a family tragedy to bring them together as they set out to rediscover the family trapline.
Full of great mental health rep, wonderful Cree culture and essential messages about the healing power of the land and the importance of being there for those we love.
I switched between the physical and audio copies of this book and enjoyed both formats immensely. HIGHLY recommended! This has definitely landed in my favorite books of 2022 list. Much thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review....more
The women behind the LadyGang podcast are back with this follow up to their debut book, Act like a lady. I REALLY, really enjoyed this collection of sThe women behind the LadyGang podcast are back with this follow up to their debut book, Act like a lady. I REALLY, really enjoyed this collection of stories from both Keltie, Jac and Becca, as well as a group of anonymous stories from their fans that was read by Fiona Hardingham with a beautiful British accent.
In the book the authors share some of their most deeply held secrets, heartbreaks and embarrassing moments -- the things women are often too ashamed to admit out loud. Full of emotional vulnerability, I was deeply moved, felt incredibly seen and understood and it was unbelievably powerful!! I cannot recommend this audiobook enough!!
While part two will make you laugh out loud from the crazy, cringe-worthy anecdotes, part three goes deep, affirming that being a woman is hard and it's okay to not be okay all the time.
Favorite quotes:
"To every lady that sent in a vulnerable secret we commend you on your courage...Sometimes just being alive is fucking hard...You could take all the anti-depressants and go on all the wellness trips and master all the yoga poses and still feel fucking broken inside. And that's okay."
"The brutal truth is that the world can be heartbreakingly awful to women. Even when women do muster up the courage to share their deepest and darkest moments, they are often victim-blamed, invalidated or not believed. As women we have become so comfortable with grinning and bearing very painful parts of life, we learn at a very young age to just stuff it down, pretend it doesn't exist and move on with our lives."
TW: some of these stories could be hard to read and cover things from abortion to miscarriage - read with care....more
One of those books you don't know you needed to read until you read it!! Written by a neurodiverse mother (ADHD) struggling with the simple things of One of those books you don't know you needed to read until you read it!! Written by a neurodiverse mother (ADHD) struggling with the simple things of life like cleaning - those mundane, never-ending chores that can feel overwhelming and anxiety-inducing, especially with tiny humans during a pandemic. Very relatable, easy to understand and helpful tips on managing small tasks every day. HIGHLY recommended and great on audio!! Definitely going to be one of my favorite nonfiction books of the year!!...more
This is easily my new favorite book by Celeste Ng!! I am a sucker for a good dystopian novel and this book gave me all the best Handmaid's tale/FarenhThis is easily my new favorite book by Celeste Ng!! I am a sucker for a good dystopian novel and this book gave me all the best Handmaid's tale/Farenheit 451 vibes!
While fiction, this book was steeped in realism, drawing on anti-Asian movements and banned book culture. Anyone who loves a story about the power of mother's love, underground movements and helping reunite removed children with their parents will need to get the tissues handy!
I enjoyed how the story was told through the eyes of young Bird, a biracial Asian American boy who is living in this new, stricter America with his father and has very few memories of his activist mother who authored the banned story "Our missing hearts."
Over the course of the book, we get to discover more about what happened in the past and where Bird's mother is now. Amazing on audio narrated by Lucy Liu with an author interview included at the end.
I'm so happy for Celeste Ng to be the first two-time Reese Book club pick too! Thought-provoking and full of heart, this is a story you won't soon forget after finishing! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and Libro.fm for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
WOW! This book starts with a bang and just keeps hitting in a completely original mystery told in reverse as a mother witnesses her son murder someoneWOW! This book starts with a bang and just keeps hitting in a completely original mystery told in reverse as a mother witnesses her son murder someone and then starts going back in time learning bits and pieces of what led to the events of that horrible day.
Completely mind-blowing from start to end, this is an unputdownable book that I absolutely LOVED!! I can't say too much without giving away spoilers but trust me, this is going to be a best book of the year that you don't want to miss - Reese's Book club picked another winner! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!...more
I can't believe I waited so long to read this INCREDIBLE start to what I am sure is going to be one of my favorite series. Set in Nashville, this reveI can't believe I waited so long to read this INCREDIBLE start to what I am sure is going to be one of my favorite series. Set in Nashville, this reverse age gap, friends to lovers, dual POV, rockstar romance gave me ALL THE FEELS!!!
Funny and absolutely full of heart, the cast of characters in this book are all so strong in their own rights. Liv is a recently divorced bakeshop owner who had dreams of being a singer and when she, her best friend Ella, and Ella's daughter Grace, go to a Midnight in Dallas concert they get to meet the band.
The sparks between Liv and Jax, the lead singer, are instantaneous but it takes Liv a while to warm up to his charms since she's afraid nothing meaningful could work between them. Struggling with writer's block, Liv helps Jax start writing some songs and along the way the two form a deep bond that neither can resist.
Jax is such a supportive book boyfriend! I loved how he encouraged Liv to keep trying and reminded her that she wasn't too old to chase after musical dreams. Full of humor, amazing found family and soooo many swoony moments. I seriously cannot recommend this book enough and have no idea how the author is going to top this mind blowing debut.
Perfect for fans of The happy ever after playlist by Abby Jimenez, When in Rome by Sarah Adams or The idea of you by Robinne Lee. This book is a prime of example of why you shouldn't discount indie authors, it will definitely be going on my favorites of the year pile and I can't wait to devour the next two books in the series!
What an absolutely surprise DELIGHT this debut book was!! Lucy Green is a Hollywood publicist turning 30 and when her boyfriend stands her up she makeWhat an absolutely surprise DELIGHT this debut book was!! Lucy Green is a Hollywood publicist turning 30 and when her boyfriend stands her up she makes a wish for a perfect birthday. What follows is a story told over one day in which Lucy is unable to tell a lie and it is gloriously freeing!
If you like books with a touch of inexplicable magic and a strong feminist bent this one is for you! Part women's fiction, part romance but 100% fun!! I LOVED the narration by Brittany Pressley and just how incredible it was watching Lucy's journey to stop going along with all the B.S. women have to deal with and stand up for what she wants.
I seriously CAN'T recommend this book enough!! Be prepared to laugh and cheer as Lucy calls out her boss for sexual harassment in the workplace, stands up to her baby-pushing mother and dumps her neglectful boyfriend. Much thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
Favorite quote:
"I'm not fine! I've been telling myself that everything is fine when it's not. I'm so conditioned as a woman - brainwashed - to keep quiet about it, to pretend that everything was okay and not make a scene that I went along with it. I always go along with it. But not today!"...more
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 and it sure did not disappoint!! Long-time disability rights' activist AliceREPRESENTATION MATTERS!!
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 and it sure did not disappoint!! Long-time disability rights' activist Alice Wong has written an incredibly heartfelt and honest memoir+.
More than your typical disability memoir, Alice's book is a collection of essays and interviews that touch on sooooo many important issues. She talks about her early life as a child born to Chinese immigrant parents and diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. She was constantly in and out of the hospital and had to undergo multiple surgeries. She also talks about life as a person dependent on life-saving machines, government assistance and the importance of authentic representation in media.
What I really connected with though was Alice's experiences as a person dependent on a ventilator and later a feeding tube, who was particularly vulnerable during the pandemic. Few people truly understand the precarious position those of us who were under 65 but still incredibly high-risk faced while waiting to get vaccines that could mean the difference between life or death.
In my opinion this was one of the best books about ableism and living with a disability. I particularly enjoyed the essays on her life in high school, being denied theatre classes because the teacher didn't even give her the chance to participate or fighting for funding for necessary support workers.
A must read for anyone who has dealt with similar issues or anyone who wants to better understand what a significant portion of the population has to deal with on a regular basis as funding for people with disabilities continues to decline and come under attack.
Much thanks to @PRHAudio, NetGalley and the publisher for early digital copies of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Favorite quotes: "There's something incredibly affirming about seeing yourself reflected in popular culture."...more
WOW. Just WOW! This easily just went straight to the top of my favorite memoirs about living with a disability. In the author's case she suffers from WOW. Just WOW! This easily just went straight to the top of my favorite memoirs about living with a disability. In the author's case she suffers from chronic pain related to various reproductive conditions including endometriosis, vulvodynia and vaginismus.
I hadn't even HEARD of some of these conditions and to learn that over 200 million people worldwide (approx. 10% of the population) are affected by them was mind-blowing. What's worse is how little is understood about reproductive conditions and just how long people can go before getting diagnosed (on average 7 years)!
This was by far one (if not THE) best book about living with chronic pain I've ever read. Listening to the author describe her daily and often constant pain that has no relief and can strike any time and any where was horrifying and while I have a chronic illness, it is no where near as debilitating as what the author goes through daily with little to no relief.
The book covers a number of important topics from difficulties to get diagnosed, the disrespect and dismissal many doctors give to people who complain of reproductive problems, trying to work with chronic pain and trying to find love and be in a relationship when penetrative sex can be excruciating, (if not impossible).
Highly enlightening, and in my opinion a MUST READ! Great on audio read by the author. There were so many passages I highlighted and related to, particularly the way that chronic conditions can take a toll on people's mental health and relationships!
Favorites quotes included:
"It is exhausting in every sense of the word to try to find a way to make peace with the knowledge that your own body will rebel against you over and over again and there is essentially nothing you can do about it."
"Living with chronic pain is not just being in pain, it's being forced to alter your life in a million different ways that other people don't have to. All while trying to find the mental capacity to be okay with this."
"As a person with chronic illness I constantly feel like a burden and therefore am often too ashamed to truly ask for what I need out of my friendships. It somehow feels easier to be angry or upset at friends than to humble myself to ask for help."...more
Quite possibly my favorite romance of the year! This story follows divorced couple Yasmen and Josiah whose marriage fell apart after the still birth oQuite possibly my favorite romance of the year! This story follows divorced couple Yasmen and Josiah whose marriage fell apart after the still birth of their son two years ago. The mental health and therapy rep in this book is some of the best I've ever read! Yasmen went into deep depression and struggled to cope after the loss, ultimately asking for a divorce which broke Josiah's heart.
Now these two are juggling co-parenting as well as owning and running a restaurant together. A story of second chances, healing and such incredible vulnerability and raw emotion. I truly loved how real these characters felt as individuals, as parents, and later as lovers trying to work out what the next stage of their relationship would look like.
Great on audio narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem. I can't recommend this one enough - the hype truly is real for this incredible book. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. The cover is absolutely STUNNING too!! Recommended for fans of Seven days in June by Tia Williams or Come away with me by Karma Brown....more
I absolutely loved this newest book from Emiko Jean! The August GMA book club pick, this feel-good story about Mika is equally funny and heartfelt.
MiI absolutely loved this newest book from Emiko Jean! The August GMA book club pick, this feel-good story about Mika is equally funny and heartfelt.
Mika gave up a baby sixteen years ago and is still struggling to find her way in life. Recently dumped and fired, life is looking a little bleak. Then she gets a call out of the blue from Penny who has tracked Mika down and wants to get in touch.
What follows is Mika and Penny's journey to get to know one another as well as Mika's new path of motherhood. This book will get you feeling ALL the feels not only in the mother-daughter relationships both Mika's with Penny and hers with her own mother, but also the romantic relationship Mika develops from an unexpected source.
Great on audio and highly recommended. This is definitely going down as one of my favorite books of the year!
WOW! What a powerfully moving and vulnerable look at childhood trauma and poverty and the resiliency of a strong, supremely talented dark-skinned BlacWOW! What a powerfully moving and vulnerable look at childhood trauma and poverty and the resiliency of a strong, supremely talented dark-skinned Black woman!! I urge you to listen to the audiobook - hearing Viola tell her story in her own words is incomparable! She covers her early family life, her drive to make it as an actor, finding love, health challenges, career successes and becoming a mother. This is going to go down as one of my favorite memoirs of the year and I can't recommend it more highly!!...more