I have not read Yes & I Love You so I can attest that it is not necessary to have read the first book in this series. I loved Andi and Hill's characteI have not read Yes & I Love You so I can attest that it is not necessary to have read the first book in this series. I loved Andi and Hill's characters. It was so refreshing to see characters who have to deal with past traumas and a life-changing injury. My one complaint is how anti-climactic the climax was which kept this from being a higher rating. That being said, I still couldn't put it down and plan to read other books in the series.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc....more
I was unexpectedly unable to stop listening to A Convenient Marriage by Jeevani Charika. Nikki Patel is an excellent narrator for this story 4.5 Stars
I was unexpectedly unable to stop listening to A Convenient Marriage by Jeevani Charika. Nikki Patel is an excellent narrator for this story and brought Chaya and Gimhana to life. Chaya and Gim both struggle with their own wants that stand in stark contrast of the conservative Sri Lankan expectations and values. I was delighted to discover that this isn't a book about marriage, not really, but about friendship and family.
It is told in a non-linear fashion which made it a little difficult when listening if I wasn't paying close attention to the year but for the purposes of the plot, I think it was the best way for the story to unfold.
The ending made me genuinely smile as it wrapped it up and I'm more than a little sad it's over. Overall, this is a great read and I can't believe I haven't heard more about this book.
"Life is messy. We're all trying to get through it the best we can."
Thanks so much to Negalley and the publisher for the audiobook arc!...more
I thoroughly enjoyed Go the Distance! It felt like a Hercules sequel and really made me want to watch the movie. I enjoyed the additional mythology stI thoroughly enjoyed Go the Distance! It felt like a Hercules sequel and really made me want to watch the movie. I enjoyed the additional mythology stories being woven in and referenced throughout Meg's journey. I think what kept this from being a 5 star read for me was the writing feeling like it was more Middle Grade than Young Adult at times. However, Jen Calonita perfectly captured the characters of Megara, Hades, Phil, Hercules, etc. so overall, I am quite content....more
We Are the Brennans is an intriguing family saga told from multiple points-of-view of, you guessed it, the Brennan family (and Kale). I defin3.5 Stars
We Are the Brennans is an intriguing family saga told from multiple points-of-view of, you guessed it, the Brennan family (and Kale). I definitely agree with the comparison to The Nest in the description and my own real complaint is that I wanted to get to know the characters more. Each one is a flawed but good person in their own way with their own side story and while the story moves at a steady pace, it is on the shorter side.
That being said, I was very surprised it's a debut book and while reading, I could perfectly picture We Are the Brennans as a movie adaptation, similar to The Family Stone.
I thought it was an interesting choice to have only one narrator for the whole story. It made it feel more like Sunday's story I think rather than that of the Brennan family as a whole. If I were to reread, I would want to try reading rather than listening.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the Publisher for the e-arc!...more
The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young is an intriguing story of the renowned Roth family we met in Namesake. The all-too-brief encounter in Name3.75 Stars
The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young is an intriguing story of the renowned Roth family we met in Namesake. The all-too-brief encounter in Namesake didn't even scratch the surface of the complex family relationships seen in The Last Legacy. I love a good crime family plot and the Roth family did not disappoint. I was continually reminded of Six of Crows as I listened and couldn't put it down.
Bryn is cunning and fierce as she navigates finding her way in the Roth family. I would love to read more about the Roth family's history. There is a lot about the family that is still shrouded in mystery. I think what kept this from being a higher rating for me was the romance. It wasn't insta-love but lacked the depth I wanted.
Suzy Jackson is the perfect narrator for Bryn and I'm so glad I chose to listen instead of read.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the audiobook arc!...more
I couldn't get enough of this biographical novel! I knew a little about Mary Wollstonecraft having read about her in college but the basic p4.5 Stars!
I couldn't get enough of this biographical novel! I knew a little about Mary Wollstonecraft having read about her in college but the basic plot of her life was unknown to me, other than the fact that she is the mother of Mary Shelley. I enjoyed the structure of the book immensely! Mary Wollstonecraft is telling her newborn daughter about her life as she slowly dies after a difficult birth with chapters from the point of view of the midwife, Mrs. B, are mixed in.
Ell Potter was a wonderful narrator and brought Samantha Silva's lyrical writing to life. I immediately want to research everything there is to know about this progressive and influential woman.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio-arc!...more
Sweethand by N.G. Peltier was a fun contemporary romance that is perfect for summer. Cherisse and Kieran are a classic enemies to lovers pair and 3.75
Sweethand by N.G. Peltier was a fun contemporary romance that is perfect for summer. Cherisse and Kieran are a classic enemies to lovers pair and were delightful to read about. I enjoyed the secondary characters quite a bit and loved that it's set in Trinidad. And how cute is this cover??
The main thing that kept this from being a 4 star read or higher for me was the dialogue. Sometimes it was just a little too over the top for me. Otherwise, Sweethand is a cute, steamy romance you won't regret reading.
Chrystal Bethell was an excellent narrator for the story!
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the audio-arc!...more
I haven't enjoyed a contemporary romance book this much since The Hating Game! Eve Brown and Jacob Wayne were so cute I couldn't stand it. I loved thaI haven't enjoyed a contemporary romance book this much since The Hating Game! Eve Brown and Jacob Wayne were so cute I couldn't stand it. I loved that the story mostly takes place at a B&B and the fact that it's all because Eve hit Jacob with her car is hilarious.
I haven't read either of the other books in the Brown Sisters series but I'm definitely going to now and didn't feel at all like I was missing out not having already read them. I know this is the last book but I think Talia Hibbert should explore Jacob's friends next *hint hint*
I loved the autistic representation and body positivity included as well. Overall, Act Your Age, Eve Brown is an excellent read to kick off the summer with!
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher!...more
Yellow Wife is a powerful Historical Fiction book set in the South in the mid-1800's. The story follows Pheby Delores Brown's heartbreaking l4.5 Stars
Yellow Wife is a powerful Historical Fiction book set in the South in the mid-1800's. The story follows Pheby Delores Brown's heartbreaking life of slavery, made all the more horrific by being inspired by true events. Sadeqa Johnson did not sugar coat the history so there are a number of graphic scenes, making this an even heavier read due to the heinous treatment of slaves.
This seems to be Sadeqa Johnson's first Historical Fiction book but I hope it is not her last!...more
I didn't think it could happen but One Last Stop is even better than Red, White & Royal Blue!
August, Jane, Niko, Myla, Wes, Isaiah/Annie and everyone else are just delightful and I loved the heartwarming, found family dynamic between them all even more than the slow building of Jane and August's relationship. The characters are as diverse as it gets and I could read a book about every single one of them. I also enjoyed that New York City felt like it's own character in the story and not just a random setting chosen for no reason. The whole time I was imagining what a good movie this would make.
Natalie Naudus did an amazing job narrating this eccentric group of characters and really brought them all to life.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio arc in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I wasn't going to count this since it's so short but I read a lot of long book so it evens out!
I listened to Geoff Castellucci read this on Youtube anI wasn't going to count this since it's so short but I read a lot of long book so it evens out!
I listened to Geoff Castellucci read this on Youtube and wow, are the the big publishers not knocking down his door to get him to narrate audiobooks??...more
I don't read many standalone fantasy books so it was a nice change of pace knowing from the beginning that everything would be resolved. Whi3.25 stars
I don't read many standalone fantasy books so it was a nice change of pace knowing from the beginning that everything would be resolved. Which brings me to my least favorite part of a standalone fantasy book, how much has to be fit into a single book, usually at the expense of character and plot development. This was no exception and regrettably made it a forgettable book.
That being said, the romance was sweet and the magic was interesting. I'm not at all mad that I read it and it made for a nice change from the longer series I've been reading.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!...more