Don't expect a plot here because it's minimal. But it is a sweet look at the time-traveling families of Thorne Manor at Christmas.
Oh, and a note aboutDon't expect a plot here because it's minimal. But it is a sweet look at the time-traveling families of Thorne Manor at Christmas.
Oh, and a note about the 2nd narrator, Ava Lucas: her British accent was not real and was in fact, too much. She overly exaggerated her rounded vowels. (Like the person who does the voice-over for Viking river cruises and really punches her rounded vowels.) It's absolutely a personal preference and it probably didn't bother most people, but I found it jarring....more
Anne embarks on an epic quest to find her (previously unknown) twin brother, Rainer in this fantasy based on Jewish folk tales. 3.5 stars (rounded up)
Anne embarks on an epic quest to find her (previously unknown) twin brother, Rainer in this fantasy based on Jewish folk tales. I found her adventures to be a bit random, but that might be my fault since I'm not familiar with Jewish lore.
My favorite elements were the Jewish lore, Anne's strength of character, and the lovely cover illustration....more
I love all of the Discworld books, but there is a special place in my heart for the witches' stories.I love all of the Discworld books, but there is a special place in my heart for the witches' stories....more
I've watched many, many adaptations of this, but have never actually read it until now. A classic! (And yeah, Tiny Tim's possible death made me teary.I've watched many, many adaptations of this, but have never actually read it until now. A classic! (And yeah, Tiny Tim's possible death made me teary.)...more
I'm not sure I would ever have picked this on my own to read, but I loved it. I'm not much for the Horror genre, but apparently middle school Horror iI'm not sure I would ever have picked this on my own to read, but I loved it. I'm not much for the Horror genre, but apparently middle school Horror is my sweet spot. Just scary enough. But of course it helps if the writing and storytelling are excellent, and the protagonist is smart, brave, and extremely likeable....more
I have really enjoyed this contemporary + magical realism series! And I'm hoping the series isn't over yet. Maybe a book with Fiona's brother4.5 stars
I have really enjoyed this contemporary + magical realism series! And I'm hoping the series isn't over yet. Maybe a book with Fiona's brother???...more
This was really charming! Even though she wasn't perfect, I really liked Serena and enjoyed being inside her head. It could've been icky -- w4.5 stars
This was really charming! Even though she wasn't perfect, I really liked Serena and enjoyed being inside her head. It could've been icky -- with them switching bodies and then being attracted to the other one -- but Ready did a terrific job of keeping the characters strongly defined (even though they weren't in their own bodies) and it never felt wrong....more
Well... I liked the cozy fantasty/cottagecore vibe with all the nummy baked goods. But the insta-lust was strong in this one. Sadly, it's the1.5 stars
Well... I liked the cozy fantasty/cottagecore vibe with all the nummy baked goods. But the insta-lust was strong in this one. Sadly, it's the kind of situation where you suspect the author of taking the easy route where she dumps on the insta-lust rather than actually writing fully developed characters and chemistry. Not a hopeful sign for a debut novelist....more
I generally enjoyed this, but it definitely verged on too twee for me. That's the danger with some magical realism, I guess. Especially at the end wheI generally enjoyed this, but it definitely verged on too twee for me. That's the danger with some magical realism, I guess. Especially at the end when everything wrapped up so quickly and sweetly. And I got very tired of all the little (and sometimes not-so-little) secrets - it felt like pretty much everyone had at least one and that is too many for one book....more
A little too short - I felt like the author took too many shortcuts in the story and characterization. And I was not a fan of the MMC - I un2.75 stars
A little too short - I felt like the author took too many shortcuts in the story and characterization. And I was not a fan of the MMC - I understand that the author was trying to set up an enemies-to-lovers situation but she ended up just making him judgemental....more
I've seen the movie many times but never read the book. It's about time I did!I've seen the movie many times but never read the book. It's about time I did!...more