Sometimes I read a popular book and wonder if I am going crazy because everyone else loved this, so why don't I? What I am about to say is not a spoilSometimes I read a popular book and wonder if I am going crazy because everyone else loved this, so why don't I? What I am about to say is not a spoiler, it's in chapter one. The premise of this book is about Helen, whose sister completed suicide at a young age by jumping in front of a car. The romance is between Helen and the man who killed her sister, Grant. A man she blamed for years for killing her sister, is her love interest. I went into this book blind and was taken aback when I realized this was the romance. And maybe it's me, but I was never super able to get past that fact while reading this book. Sure it's a book about forgiveness and healing, but it did not resonate well with me the foundation of their relationship being something this horrible.
Lots of people loved this book, and it was not bad by any point. I would absolutely read more by Kuang in the future. But she didn't sell me on the romance in this one....more
Aria has a problem: she can no longer visit Scotland after visiting her sister too many times. If she leaves the countThis was really fun brain candy.
Aria has a problem: she can no longer visit Scotland after visiting her sister too many times. If she leaves the country she won't be let back in. Jared also has a problem, his failing farm that his grandfather left him. And so Aria proposes a marriage of convenience, she gets a green card and she can use her money from her trust fund to fund the farm. But as time goes by their marriage begins to feel less and less like it's a fraud.
This was a lot of fun to read and I was able to turn my brain off and just enjoy it. I've always liked Aria and Jared as side characters so I was happy when they got their own book. While this is brain candy like I said before, it also packed a good emotional punch. Many deep topics were covered and they were all handled with care by the author. I honestly don't know what I am gonna do when I am done reading this series, I need to escape from reality somehow!...more
The Night We Lost Him is about an adult daughter who was slightly estranged from her father at the time of his death. Not handling it well, her world The Night We Lost Him is about an adult daughter who was slightly estranged from her father at the time of his death. Not handling it well, her world is rocked when her younger half brother approaches her about their father's death not being an accident. The two decide to investigate, and uncover more about their father than they expected.
This one was... a tad bit disappointing. I gave this author's other book The Last Thing He Told Me a 5 star rating because it really packed an emotional punch for me along with a great mystery. This book lacked both of those things. Did I like it? Mostly yes. But I never felt attached to the characters or the story the way I should be and in a way I know this author is more than capable of writing....more
Really happy we are getting representation for queer polyamory books in a traditionally published novel, but overall this was not the strongest book aReally happy we are getting representation for queer polyamory books in a traditionally published novel, but overall this was not the strongest book and one I will likely forget completely in the coming months/years....more
The romance between a "mad" lord and a young widow who both don't want to fall in love, and yet fall for each other. I won't say much about the plot bThe romance between a "mad" lord and a young widow who both don't want to fall in love, and yet fall for each other. I won't say much about the plot but this is the kind of historical romance I enjoy: written well with fully fleshed out characters.
Having been published in 2009 yes there are some things that viewed via a modern lens can be problematic. But I think what really worked was how much Jennifer Ashley was able to integrate the reader into this world and to make all of the characters so believable. I will most definitely be reading the other books in the series when I get a chance....more
I normally really love Sally Hepworth but this one fell a bit flat for me. The story of three foster sisters flashing back and forth from past to presI normally really love Sally Hepworth but this one fell a bit flat for me. The story of three foster sisters flashing back and forth from past to present. Having suffered abuse from their foster mother, the three sisters are shocked when 25 years later human remains are found under the home where they once lived and they must all face what happened years ago.
I thought this was very slowly paced, a lot of it was more character growth than we needed at the beginning of the book and then the second half was more mystery. I thought all of the characters were really interesting, but the actual way the story played out I thought wasn't very well done. It could be that I am in a reading slump at the moment, but honestly Hepworth has done better in the past imo.
An ALC was provided by Libro.fm as a part of their librarian ALC program ...more
The unlikely romance between Theo, a celebrity writer and director and a former housemaid, Sarah. When Sarah comes to Theo for his help, he rejects heThe unlikely romance between Theo, a celebrity writer and director and a former housemaid, Sarah. When Sarah comes to Theo for his help, he rejects her and hurts her feelings. But he later regrets and it and shows up on her doorstep. The two make an unlikely writing duo, but get along famously. As they write together, the closer they get.
It's funny because everything I complained about in the previous book in the series actually worked really well in this one. I had low expectations going into this one because I didn't think much of Theo, and him with a mousy heroine just didn't sound great but it worked really well! And I really enjoyed getting his POV in this book because it enhanced the story instead of just repeating things from a different perspective. It's books like this that remind me of why I love Samantha Young so much, she has a great ability to really make you feel for her characters....more
Not sure if it's the book slump I'm in or if I just don't like Sarah Adams books, but this couldn't hold my attention. I saw zero chemistry DNF at 45%
Not sure if it's the book slump I'm in or if I just don't like Sarah Adams books, but this couldn't hold my attention. I saw zero chemistry between the main characters and found myself zoning out a lot while listening. ...more
My toxic trait is reading Ruth Ware novels and then almost never rating them above three stars. Glad to see I am still toxic. Why do I read her books?My toxic trait is reading Ruth Ware novels and then almost never rating them above three stars. Glad to see I am still toxic. Why do I read her books? She is excellent at concept and tone, just never the execution.
One Perfect Couple follows Lyla, a scientist whose actor boyfriend convinces her to join a couples reality tv show. Whisked away to a tropical island in the middle of nowhere, things go wrong when a tropical storm devastates their resort and the boat that brought them there is missing. With four other couples there, tensions are high and things begin to get grim.
This is not really a mystery so much as a thriller. There's no whodoneit, you pretty much know what's happening as you read along. I kind of thought the characters were a bit dumb, but maybe that was the point? Some reality tv aspects are obvious if you watch and productions usually have great safeguards in place. By the middle of the book I honestly forgot the fact that this started as reality tv. I enjoyed this book for the most part but it's one of those thrillers that made me feel sick at times and I don't enjoy that with my mystery novels. But that's just personal preference. And you best believe I will keep reading Ms. Ware going forward....more
First things first, I read this book based on a 3 star review I read here on Goodreads, so don't say "less then 4 star reviews prevent people from picFirst things first, I read this book based on a 3 star review I read here on Goodreads, so don't say "less then 4 star reviews prevent people from picking up a book" because they don't!
Listen for the Lie is about Lucy, a young woman who is assumed to be the murderer of her best friend. Except Lucy doesn't remember the night Savvy was murdered, and there was never enough evidence to convict her. Now five years later, her entire life is disrupted when a famous podcast begins covering her case. Traveling back to Texas at her grandmother's request, she faces her small town for the first time since Savvy's death.
I really enjoyed this book a lot. There seems to be a pipeline of former YA authors now writing adult mysteries/thrillers and I am all for it because most of the time they end up great! I've seen a lot of reviews bashing the main character for being annoying... I actually really liked her spunk. Everyone's all for an interesting female lead until we actually get one and they condemn her (much like the message in this book). I did guess the killer pretty early on, but I've read a lot of mysteries and rarely get shocked anymore. But it was nice having my suspicions confirmed. Overall a great mystery with a podcast feel and interesting characters....more
Started off as a lot of fun and well written smut. About halfway though it lost me with the plot. Too many things built up just to suddenly 2.5 stars
Started off as a lot of fun and well written smut. About halfway though it lost me with the plot. Too many things built up just to suddenly fall apart. I really liked the chmesitry between the main characters but overall it was solidly just okay to me.
But the cover? Especially the physical paperback? STUNNING. Love it....more
My Beloved is a short story that picks up a few months after the end of Thin Love. Kona and Keira are getting married and finally having their happily ever after. Except, the wedding is kind of a disaster and the paparazzi won't leave Keira and Ransom alone.
I loved this short story if only because Eden Butler delivered all of the feels. Lots of love, angst, desperation and anger from all over the map in this one. This short story shows that Keira and Kona have to fight for their HEA, it's not something that comes easily wrapped up at the end of the last book.
Kona was for sure a gigantic jackass in this short story. Like a true guy, he didn't really understand how badly he fucked up until it all blew up in his face. I could not get over what an oblivious idiot he was being in his choices, especially because he seemed terrified and insecure about Keira leaving him.
One of my favorite tiny aspects of this book was the closure Keira was able to come to in regards to her relationship with her mother. In the previous book she seemed so evil and uncaring, but this novella proved that Keira's mom really did love her in her own messed up way.
I mentioned this in my last review, but I'll say it again. I HATE how Keira calls Kona "Bebe". I always without fail imagine the little girl from South Park who developed early. So .5 points off for that. But that's just one of my weird pet peeves.
"I lost you once, Keira. It cost me decades. It cost me a lifetime of memories with you, with my son. I'm not doing that shit again."
Merged review:
4.5 Oh My God KONA YOU IDIOT stars
"Only you, Wildcat. Only you could give me this. Only you could make my heart this damn full."
My Beloved is a short story that picks up a few months after the end of Thin Love. Kona and Keira are getting married and finally having their happily ever after. Except, the wedding is kind of a disaster and the paparazzi won't leave Keira and Ransom alone.
I loved this short story if only because Eden Butler delivered all of the feels. Lots of love, angst, desperation and anger from all over the map in this one. This short story shows that Keira and Kona have to fight for their HEA, it's not something that comes easily wrapped up at the end of the last book.
Kona was for sure a gigantic jackass in this short story. Like a true guy, he didn't really understand how badly he fucked up until it all blew up in his face. I could not get over what an oblivious idiot he was being in his choices, especially because he seemed terrified and insecure about Keira leaving him.
One of my favorite tiny aspects of this book was the closure Keira was able to come to in regards to her relationship with her mother. In the previous book she seemed so evil and uncaring, but this novella proved that Keira's mom really did love her in her own messed up way.
I mentioned this in my last review, but I'll say it again. I HATE how Keira calls Kona "Bebe". I always without fail imagine the little girl from South Park who developed early. So .5 points off for that. But that's just one of my weird pet peeves.
"I lost you once, Keira. It cost me decades. It cost me a lifetime of memories with you, with my son. I'm not doing that shit again." ...more
I've been meaning to read this book since many of my Goodreads friends have been singing it praises. I am so glad I did, because this was su 4 stars!
I've been meaning to read this book since many of my Goodreads friends have been singing it praises. I am so glad I did, because this was such a sweet and heartwarming book that I enjoyed so much! Sweet isn't normally my thing, but in this case it really worked. Roe Horvat is a new author to look out for and I want to see more from her in the future!
I've been meaning to read this book since many of my Goodreads friends have been singing it praises. I am so glad I did, because this was such a sweet and heartwarming book that I enjoyed so much! Sweet isn't normally my thing, but in this case it really worked. Roe Horvat is a new author to look out for and I want to see more from her in the future!
Samantha Young is an author that I will read every single thing she writes until she stops writing. This Highlands series isn't my top favorite of herSamantha Young is an author that I will read every single thing she writes until she stops writing. This Highlands series isn't my top favorite of hers so far but I'll read it all because reading her books are such a comfort to me. Among the Heather follows Scottish actor North and estate manager Aria. The two have an intense attraction to each other, but Aria's trust issues with actors keeps her hostile towards North.
I did like this book, my reasons for not rating it higher are it follows the same formula as all the books in this series and the Adair family series: fall in love while two different threats come for both romantic leads. I could predict almost every single aspect of this book and while sometimes it's comforting, I want a little bit more variety from two different series of books. That and I think I actually prefer Samantha Young's books when they aren't dual POV. I prefer just being in the heroine's head for some reason and not the hero. I still had a good time reading this and will definitely be reading the rest because I adore this author. Just getting a little bit tired of reading the same story over and over again....more
Heather Lyons has done it again in a unique and beautifully written story surrounding our beloved literary characters. The Hidden Library is the second book in the series The Collector's Society and must be read after reading the first book. This book picks up after the events at the end of the first book, with Finn running The Society. He and Alice are working to get answers out of their prisoners who had been tormenting The Society in the previous book.
Alice and Finn are on the hunt for the elusive big bad who has been destroying timelines and ending countless lives, but the further they get, the more questions they have. Finn and Alice also face old demons, enemies and threats along the way, hindering their search greatly.
This book began a little bit slow for me, but that's my fault because I waited so long to read this, I forgot some of the details. But it picked up very quickly before turning into an action packed novel with lots of plot twists and surprises. I love when the characters would venture into different timelines; I was enraptured by Finn's hometown and riveted by the trip back into Wonderland. The author has such a vivid imagination, and reading this book was like stepping into real and new worlds.
I have to say I was kept guessing while reading this book, I never knew where it was going to go next. The plot is so beyond intricate with character dynamics, settings, and more, it's a story that keeps you on your toes. I cannot wait to see what comes with the next book as this one was even better than the first.
My one teeny tiny little bit that wasn't perfect: my heart bleeds for the White King. I still feel his connection for Alice is incredibly strong. I'm hoping he gets a love interest soon because I just feel so damn for the bad guy that I am ready to be on his team (or keep him for myself. I may do that instead). Otherwise, I loved this book!
“True love does not have limits or restrictions. True love allows a person to love deeply and unconditionally. True love does not ask you to let go of life. True love encourages you to live.”
Heather Lyons has done it again in a unique and beautifully written story surrounding our beloved literary characters. The Hidden Library is the second book in the series The Collector's Society and must be read after reading the first book. This book picks up after the events at the end of the first book, with Finn running The Society. He and Alice are working to get answers out of their prisoners who had been tormenting The Society in the previous book.
Alice and Finn are on the hunt for the elusive big bad who has been destroying timelines and ending countless lives, but the further they get, the more questions they have. Finn and Alice also face old demons, enemies and threats along the way, hindering their search greatly.
This book began a little bit slow for me, but that's my fault because I waited so long to read this, I forgot some of the details. But it picked up very quickly before turning into an action packed novel with lots of plot twists and surprises. I love when the characters would venture into different timelines; I was enraptured by Finn's hometown and riveted by the trip back into Wonderland. The author has such a vivid imagination, and reading this book was like stepping into real and new worlds.
I have to say I was kept guessing while reading this book, I never knew where it was going to go next. The plot is so beyond intricate with character dynamics, settings, and more, it's a story that keeps you on your toes. I cannot wait to see what comes with the next book as this one was even better than the first.
My one teeny tiny little bit that wasn't perfect: my heart bleeds for the White King. I still feel his connection for Alice is incredibly strong. I'm hoping he gets a love interest soon because I just feel so damn for the bad guy that I am ready to be on his team (or keep him for myself. I may do that instead). Otherwise, I loved this book!
“True love does not have limits or restrictions. True love allows a person to love deeply and unconditionally. True love does not ask you to let go of life. True love encourages you to live.”