All the characters are slightly unlikable which I loved. I was very surprised with the killer. I didThank you Sourcebooks for my advance review copy.
All the characters are slightly unlikable which I loved. I was very surprised with the killer. I didn’t see that coming at all! The story is told in a dual past/present timeline and I enjoyed the way it all came together. I read this book in two days after being in a major slump. This is a solid debut by Ashley Winstead and a perfect summer thriller!
Thank you Forever Romance for my advance review copy.
After reading The Boyfriend Project last year I couldn’t wait to catch up with the ladies in thiThank you Forever Romance for my advance review copy.
After reading The Boyfriend Project last year I couldn’t wait to catch up with the ladies in this book.
I have to say I definitely related to Taylor in this story because I was diagnosed with a learning disorder when I was in the 7th grade. I was struggling really hard when it came to math and would have full on panic attacks (back then I had no idea why I was having a strong reaction) and start crying during my test.
My teacher would leave encouraging notes on every test that I failed because she knew how hard I was trying. When my mom came to the school she suggested I get tested, which I did and it made a big difference going forward. I had extended test times and the use of calculators on all State exams. It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Rochon presented an authentic portrayal of what it’s like living with a learning disability.
Jamar wasn’t the typical hot shot athlete that I thought he would be in this story. He had a heart of gold and I love the support he showed to Taylor when she was struggling. Jamar and Taylor had some funny and flirty banter with steamy chemistry that I loved! Now I must say a certain part of the book didn’t fly with me when it came to Jamar and I felt he needed to do just a bit more groveling after that momentary lapse in judgment.
This book was fun to read, I love the theme of supportive female friendships. We all need friends that will root for us, encourage us and check us as needed! I can’t wait to read London’s book next year and I will be sad when this series is over. ...more
Forgive me, Father fAnother successful buddy read for Chelsea and I!!
Thank you Candy Kane PR for my arc copy.
Book hangover alert!
You’ve been warned!
Forgive me, Father for I have sinned with the way I enjoyed this story.
Magnus was absolute filth and I loved every minute of this story! It’s been a while since I read a book by Pam Godwin and she kindly reminded me what I’ve been missing! This story was such a delicious slow burn. The chemistry between Magnus and Tinsley was beyond hot, I’m talking combustible and we will need the fire department to put out the flames.
"We were indecent, immoral, and madly in love. Sinners together. Soul mates forever.”
“Our bond was eternal, and that was the grand prize, the best gift this universe had to offer. He was my freedom. My journey. My destination. My one great passion. My choice. My love. My lessons in sin.”
This story was one heck of a ride and I consumed this book in a few hours because I just couldn’t get enough. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the age gap, but it didn’t bother me at all. It was well executed which show’s Godwin’s strength as a writer.
Please don’t snatch me bald when I say this is my first time reading Mr. Baldwin. I know. I know. I do plan on making up for lost time because it’s bePlease don’t snatch me bald when I say this is my first time reading Mr. Baldwin. I know. I know. I do plan on making up for lost time because it’s been a minute since I had to break out the highlighter for a book.
“ You were born where you were born and faced the future that you faced because you were black and for no other reason. “
“You were not expected to aspire to excellence: you were expected to make peace with mediocrity.”
“It demands great spiritual resilience not to hate the hater whose foot is on your neck.”
Phew! I really had to sit and reflect after reading some of the passages. Mind you this book was written in 1962 and it still holds weight today. Let that sink in….. ...more
“You are just a woman. A woman with hate in her heart and darkness in her soul.
You hate yourself, soThank you Kensington Books for my finished copy.
“You are just a woman. A woman with hate in her heart and darkness in her soul.
You hate yourself, so you take it out on everyone else. You are scorned. Broken. Pathetic.
You will suffer at my hands.
I will ruin you . . . and you won’t even see me coming.”
With a prologue like this I knew I was going to be in for a wild ride and this book did NOT disappoint!!!
This story was told in dual points of views with shocking twists and revelations that I DID not see coming. At one point I felt like was catching flies with the way my mouth was hanging open while reading. I love a thriller that can keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat while reading and this book did just that and then some.
The characters in this book in my opinion are all trash. The moment I tried to feel sorry for one of them they would go and do something lowdown or a twist was revealed. I didn’t like anyone of them which made the story even more entertaining for me!
I’m shocked that this is Shanora Williams first attempt at writing a thriller because this story was solid. The pacing was on point and definitely a favorite read of mine for this month!
Triggers: Mention of miscarriages and death. ...more
I feel like any review I will give away the storyline and I don’t want to be that person. I would have liked more closure in one particul4/ 1-2 stars
I feel like any review I will give away the storyline and I don’t want to be that person. I would have liked more closure in one particular area, but overall I really enjoyed this story. This book touched on racism, generational trauma, gentrification as well as several other important topics. I would love to see this book made into a limited series on a streaming network. Definitely recommend reading this book!...more
“I didn’t want to start my career, especially as the only Black person in the room, as some wind-up monkey that would bang his cymbals whenever white “I didn’t want to start my career, especially as the only Black person in the room, as some wind-up monkey that would bang his cymbals whenever white people wanted him to.”
This!!!!
As someone who has been the only Black person in an all white office environment, I definitely related to this book as far as the frustration goes of being in that position goes. It felt like being under a microscope at all times and I had to conduct myself a certain way at all times while others didn’t. Also dealing with stereotypes. I’ll never forget the look on their faces when they found out I attended Catholic school. ...more
I DEVOURED this book in 4 hours. It’s been a long time since a book has consumed me the way The Crush did and I loved every angst filled *ARC Review*
I DEVOURED this book in 4 hours. It’s been a long time since a book has consumed me the way The Crush did and I loved every angst filled minute. I love second chance romances and this book did not disappoint at all.
“The only thing I want is for you to let me show you every day through my actions how much I love you.”
*sighs*
Jace and Farrah had such a connection and I loved the slow burn and felt all the emotions while reading this story. I love an angst filled story and this story gave me a good fix. I gasped, clutched my chest and got choked up while reading. This story was one heck of an emotional rollercoaster and it did make me do some self reflection as well.
Penelope Ward has once again has reminded me why she is one of my favorite authors. It’s not secret the romance genre can be repetitive at times and I love how Ward is able to come up with unique and refreshing stories. I can honestly say I am never disappointed when I read a book by this author and I’ve been reading Ward’s books for years. This book was everything and I can’t recommend it enough....more
“But I’m also surrounded by messages that tell me I need shape-wear, I need to lose weight, I need to fit into straight sizes, I need to look like an “But I’m also surrounded by messages that tell me I need shape-wear, I need to lose weight, I need to fit into straight sizes, I need to look like an Insta girl, I need to be tiny to be loved.”
Whew.
I wish I had this book when I was a teenager. As someone who has struggled with weight issues their WHOLE life, I empathized and sympathized with Charlie on SO many levels. It’s hard growing up not being thin when being thin is what is shoved down your throat on a regular and routine basis. Getting changed in the locker room for gym class in high school was absolutely traumatizing, being judged over your food choices, feeling second best to your thin best friend. Trying and failing every fad diet. I’ll be here for days with how much I related to this story.
Charlie Vega has down became one of my favorite characters after reading this book. Watching Charlie blossom, transform in the person I wanted to be, and do everything I couldn’t do when I was her age was absolutely wonderful. This book will definitely stay with me for a very long time. I LOVED the diversity and inclusion in this story. Brown fat girl, Black pansexual, Asian love interest with two moms. I’m here for it all!! Complex mother/daughter relationship. This was such a genuine and heartfelt story. If you made it this far thanks for reading my rambling of words. ...more
From the author note: “One of the good ones” is usually code for a person our country seems worthy. That importance is usually tied to level of educat From the author note: “One of the good ones” is usually code for a person our country seems worthy. That importance is usually tied to level of education, income, class, zip code, gender identity and sexual orientation. If most or all of those acceptable boxes are checked, then we care.
This right here!!!
EVERY time a Black person is killed in this country a background check is done to see if they are “one of the good ones” and use that to determine if they should receive justice. When George Floyd was killed in broad daylight, folks brought up that he had a criminal record. What does one have to do with the other? You mean to tell me he deserved to die the way he did just because he had a record? I think not. Floyd deserves justice. Along with countless other unarmed black folks. Period.
Then on the other hand you have Kyle Rittenhouse who crossed TWO state lines armed with a gun and shoots up a BLM rally and they plastered his Boy Scout photo all over the internet to make him less threatening. See the difference. ...more