This was everything I want from a romcom, plus some light fantasy/magic realism elements that made it unique. Overall the concept of this was super clThis was everything I want from a romcom, plus some light fantasy/magic realism elements that made it unique. Overall the concept of this was super clever and well-executed (it really could have gone SO wrong), the love story was sweet, I maybe (definitely) cried a little bit at the end, and I loved it.
* thank you to Berkley for the NetGalley review copy. The Love of My Afterlife publishes July 2, 2024....more
I love Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious series, and loved this standalone just as much. She writes whip-smart, snarky teenage girls so well!
The set up I love Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious series, and loved this standalone just as much. She writes whip-smart, snarky teenage girls so well!
The set up and setting of this was so fun: Marlowe accidentally burns down a house while *finally* making out with her long-time crush and as penance has to take a summer job as a tour guide at the abandoned, soon to be taken over by finance bros, Thousand Islands mansion of a wackadoo Kellogg-style/Road to Wellville family (who turn out to have even darker secrets than a love of early morning calisthenics and nut cutlets). Chaos ensues.
Now we just need Stevie and crew to meet up with Marlowe and my head will explode from joy.
Highly recommend!
* thanks so much to Harper Collins/Harper Teen for the NetGalley review copy. Death at Morning House publishes August 6, 2024....more
Bel's mom, Rachel, vanished without a trace sixteen years ago. Her case is being covered by a true crime documentary and shortly after filming begins,Bel's mom, Rachel, vanished without a trace sixteen years ago. Her case is being covered by a true crime documentary and shortly after filming begins, Rachel reappears. Bel thinks Rachel's story is shady and doesn't adds up, so Bel starts her own investigation to uncover the truth, no matter how horrible it may be.
AGGGTM is one of my favorite series ever, so a new Holly Jackson book is obviously an auto-read. I loved this - it was twisty and wild and I really, really wish it was a series because I need more Bel!
* Thanks to RHC Delacorte for the NetGalley review copy. The Reappearance of Rachel Price publishes April 2, 20204....more
A small southern town starts banning books "to protect the children" and sets up a lending library full of (supposedly) Wholesome and Appropriate BookA small southern town starts banning books "to protect the children" and sets up a lending library full of (supposedly) Wholesome and Appropriate Books (like Our Confederate Heroes (wtaf), The Southern Belle's Guide to Etiquette, etc). When these books are secretly swapped out for banned books (like Beloved, The Diary of Anne Frank, etc) hidden inside the dust jackets and people start reading them, there is a ripple effect through the entire town.
Banning books is stupid, and I love how Miller played with the idea of how the right book ending up in the right hands at the exact moment it's needed can change and save lives. It's like librarian porn.
Overall, this was a fun read. I loved Miller's somewhat lighthearted take on serious topics, and I wish things *could* work out this way, but also thought things were maybe a little too tidy by the end? But also still loved it?
Was this book a liberal fantasy? YES. Will it make assholes who think banning books is a great idea angry? YES. Does that make me happy? YES. Does it make me hopeful that maybe someone who thinks banning books is a great idea will read this and have a change of heart? I WOULD LOVE TO SAY YES.
* thanks to William Morrow for the NetGalley review copy. Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books publishes June 18, 2024. ...more
gaaaaaaah I love a fake-dating/fake marriage trope! Christina Lauren's books are always enjoyable - funny, smart, and just the right amount of steam -gaaaaaaah I love a fake-dating/fake marriage trope! Christina Lauren's books are always enjoyable - funny, smart, and just the right amount of steam - and this one did not disappoint! I'm looking forward to spotting this one at the pool/beach a lot this summer!
* thank you to Gallery Books for the NetGalley review copy. THE PARADISE PROBLEM publishes May 14, 2024. ...more
Claire Lombardo is a magician. I wasn't sure how she was going to match The Most Fun We Ever Had (which is one ofI LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH - 500 STARS
Claire Lombardo is a magician. I wasn't sure how she was going to match The Most Fun We Ever Had (which is one of my favorite books ever - I enthusiastically read all 500+ pages twice), and don't worry, folks - she KILLED IT. In Same As It Ever Was, she captures every complicated, messy emotion of marriage and family life and friendship and motherhood so perfectly. I feel like all of these people are real, and that some of them might be me. I laughed and cried and never wanted this book to end. I'm already looking forward to reading it again when I pick it for bookclub.
This was one of my most-anticipated books of 2024 and is absolutely one of my favorites. READ THIS!
* thank you so much to Doubleday for the NetGalley review copy. SAME AS IT EVER WAS publishes June 18, 2024. ...more
I requested this without even reading the synopsis because I was seeing it all over Instagram and people loved it... and then I kept putting off readiI requested this without even reading the synopsis because I was seeing it all over Instagram and people loved it... and then I kept putting off reading it because I'd just gotten roped into helping my own not-so-great mother sort out her assisted living situation and just COULD NOT with the toxic moms. Whoops.
Anyway -- several months later, I ended up listening to the audiobook version, and it was not what I was expecting (in a good way because it didn't really bring anything up for me in the bad mom department, but also in a not so good way because I didn't really enjoy where the story went). I really struggled to understand Alison' reasoning behind inviting her mother into her home and then allowing her to have unsupervised access to her children, so it was really hard to not think she was a dummy, especially since the mom had money and could have just been parked somewhere to die (which sounds terrible, but some people are not worthy of forgiveness and/or millionth chances). The explanation for the mom's abusive behavior ended up feeling like a copout (though I did like the little twist at the end).
I think this book was just not a good fit for me on many levels, but I'd happily read future books by McMahon.
* thank you to Gallery/Scout Press for the NetGalley review copy. MY DARLING GIRL published in October 2023.
This was a solid, binge-worthy thriller! Loved the multiple POVs, especially hearing from Diana's ghost throughout. I really enjoy Lapena's efficient This was a solid, binge-worthy thriller! Loved the multiple POVs, especially hearing from Diana's ghost throughout. I really enjoy Lapena's efficient writing - there's no fluff or filler getting in the way - just nonstop momentum and one bazillion red herrings that kept me guessing until the end. I was so into this book that I risked taking my Kindle with me into the pool when I was on vacation so I didn't have to put it down (the Kindle survived).
Highly recommended for existing Lapena fans and new readers alike!
* thanks to Penguin Viking and Pamela Dorman Books for the NetGalley review copy. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? publishes July 30, 2024....more
I went into reading this with a bit of trepidation because I really wasn't a fan of The Kind Worth Saving (after LOVING The!!! Lily Kintner is BACK!!!
I went into reading this with a bit of trepidation because I really wasn't a fan of The Kind Worth Saving (after LOVING The Kind Worth Killing), and I was afraid of being subjected to more limericks. Fortunately, Henry Kimball takes a back seat as a supporting character this time [there is only one limerick in the entire book (!!!), thank goodness], and Lily and her college friend Martha are front and center.
Martha reaches out to Lily because Lily has helped her deal with a bad relationship in the past, and now Martha suspects her mild-mannered husband, Alan, may be a serial killer after she finds blood on his shirt. He travels to conventions frequently for work, and Martha does some super librarian investigating and notices a disturbing correlation between cities he's visited and unsolved murders of young women.
I loved this! Multiple POVs, fast pace, some fun twists, and LILY - she's one of my favorite characters ever, so it was delightful being back inside her head. This works as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading The Kind Worth Killing first so you get the full Lily experience.
* thank you to William Morrow for the NetGalley review copy. A TALENT FOR MURDER publishes June 11, 2024....more
Loved the cover and the premise of this one: literary enemies end up at the same writing retreat in a reportedly super haunted Scottish castle and a bLoved the cover and the premise of this one: literary enemies end up at the same writing retreat in a reportedly super haunted Scottish castle and a bunch of pants-off business ensues.
An enemies to lovers romcom + horror is pretty much my dream combo, but this unfortunately fell flat for me overall. I appreciated the commentary on the publishing industry and the additional roadblocks to publication faced by Native and other BIPOC authors, but the over-the-top rivalry between Neil and Penelope felt forced, and I found both of them to be pretty irritating. The ghost business started out fun but never became particularly spooky, and the explanation for the haunting was lackluster and the whole thing kind of fizzled out by the end.
All of that said, I would really like to read another book by Wilkens - she clearly has a ton of potential for unique storytelling and genre blending that I'd love to see developed further!
* thank you to St Martin's Press / Griffin for the NetGalley review copy. IF I STOPPED HAUNTING YOU publishes October 15, 2024....more
Maya loves cooking and is super excited about going to culinary camp, where she's hoping she'll make friends. Due to a bus mixup, she ends up at a camMaya loves cooking and is super excited about going to culinary camp, where she's hoping she'll make friends. Due to a bus mixup, she ends up at a camp for vampires instead.
This was cute - good illustrations and some funny bits, plus the standard middle grade messaging of "just be yourself and people will like you."
Looking forward to recommending this one to fans of the Babysitters Club, Real Friends, etc.
(3.5 rounded up)
* thanks to Random House Graphic for the NetGalley review copy. Summer Vamp publishes May 14, 2024....more
All of the characters were annoying dummies, and I was kind of hoping they would all die, but there were no Louboutins or bologna sandwiches or turtleAll of the characters were annoying dummies, and I was kind of hoping they would all die, but there were no Louboutins or bologna sandwiches or turtles or jelly blood or peach iced tea or mentions of the South Bronx, so this one gets three stars for popcorn craziness and a fun enough (though often used in this type of thriller) twist. ...more
So happy to revisit the world of big shoulder pads, even bigger hair, and endless champagne of the Widows.
All of the narrators were GREAT and really So happy to revisit the world of big shoulder pads, even bigger hair, and endless champagne of the Widows.
All of the narrators were GREAT and really brought the characters to life - my only compliant is that I wish the audiobook had been produced more like a play and each character had been voiced only by their own narrator - so like during the Justine parts, the Justine narrator wasn’t then doing their own version of voices for Krystle, Camille, and Meredith. All of the characters’ voices were so distinctive it felt weird to hear them done differently when it wasn’t their chapter. And maybe get one dude in there to do all of the male voices (?) because then there were multiple versions of those bouncing around in my head.
That said, this was a super entertaining listen, and my fingers are crossed for more Widow books from these four talented authors! ...more
I cannot find anything good to say about this book except that the chapters were short and it was fun to talk shit about dNegative one hundred stars.
I cannot find anything good to say about this book except that the chapters were short and it was fun to talk shit about during the buddy read discussion.
This was not even remotely a thriller. It was a horribly boring story about horribly boring people being horribly boring - and talking a lot about their Walled Garden (wtf). Nothing happens until the epilogue, and what does happen doesn't come even remotely close to making up for the nearly 300 pages of dithering nonsense leading up to it.
I was going to do a full book recap because I hated it so much, but it was too boring to even make fun of, so I will leave it at: MEH. ...more
Cute illustrations — this will be perfect for younger kids interested in chapter books but not quite ready to read the original Cupcake Diaries. I thiCute illustrations — this will be perfect for younger kids interested in chapter books but not quite ready to read the original Cupcake Diaries. I think this series will be popular at my work library (elementary school).
* thank you to Simon & Schuster / Simon Spotlight for the NetGalley review copy. Emily’s Cupcake Magic publishes May 7, 2024....more
This was a cute second installment of The Brinkley Yearbooks series with a nice message about teamwork, exploring your interests, and finding your peoThis was a cute second installment of The Brinkley Yearbooks series with a nice message about teamwork, exploring your interests, and finding your people. Similarly to the first book (Picture Day), I wasn’t blown away, but this is likely to be popular at the elementary school where I work.
* Thanks to Random House / Knopf Books for Young Readers for the NetGalley review copy. TRYOUTS publishes May 7, 2024....more
This was unfortunately a DNF at 39% for me. I thought the concept of the book was great, but I really struggled with the pacing and kept setting it doThis was unfortunately a DNF at 39% for me. I thought the concept of the book was great, but I really struggled with the pacing and kept setting it down and not wanting to pick it back up over the course of six months, so I gave up.
* thank you to Minotaur Books for the NetGalley review copy. The Golden Gate published in September 2023....more
I hate that I’m giving this two stars because the premise sounded amazing, and I *really* wanted to love this book, but I had to struggle to make myseI hate that I’m giving this two stars because the premise sounded amazing, and I *really* wanted to love this book, but I had to struggle to make myself finish.
My main issue was that dialogue was super cringey in a lot of places, including some very weird “light in the loafers” / “batting for the other team” stuff that added nothing to the story and felt like it was from another decade [or straight from the mouth of one’s second stepdad (true story)].
I’m still planning to read the next book in the series (Every Missing Girl) because I think there’s a ton of potential for these characters, and there were some properly disturbing moments in this that I enjoyed, but I’m going to hold off for a bit....more
Over twenty years have passed since the terrible summer when Elise Rockwood's older sister, Robin, was murdered. In the aftermath of this trauma, ElisOver twenty years have passed since the terrible summer when Elise Rockwood's older sister, Robin, was murdered. In the aftermath of this trauma, Elise's family fell apart: her mother's anxiety consumed her life; her brother became obsessed with conspiracy theories; and Elise spent decades drinking and pursuing empty relationships to numb the pain. But now Elise is starting to get her life back on track. She's set up a small cabin rental business close to her mom and brother, in the same woods where her sister vanished, and she's slowed way down on the drinking. But then a man she was once very close to is murdered nearby, and *everything* Elise thinks she knows about the summer when Robin went missing is going to be called into question.
This was another great one from Victoria Helen Stone! Elise was a flawed mess, and I loved her and loved how hard she was trying to be better, even as trauma after trauma kept piling on. I didn't know where on earth this was going - I had a few theories that were all incorrect - which was really fun! I will say it felt a little bit slow in the middle and the ending felt a bit rushed and abrupt (BUT -- THAT ENDING - !!!!!) Is it too much to hope for a Jane Doe/Elise Rockwood crossover book? I mean, I know it is, but a lady can dream...
I loved this quote: "Nothing to be done but make it go away. Make her go away. Hadn't it happened a thousand times before? A million? A woman's life was nothing compared to a man's future." DAMN
* Thank you so much to the author, Thriller Book Lovers Promotions, and Lake Union Publishing for the NetGalley review copy. FOLLOW HER DOWN publishes June 4, 2024....more
It's opening weekend at Jess and Kat's B&B, The Pearl, and the BFFs need everything to go right. Jess's ex-boyfriend, Lars - a reality music competitiIt's opening weekend at Jess and Kat's B&B, The Pearl, and the BFFs need everything to go right. Jess's ex-boyfriend, Lars - a reality music competition champion - is scheduled to play to kick off the weekend and get the ladies some great press, but things go haywire quickly when Lars's stepdad/manager, Bob, is murdered. Lars is, of course, the prime suspect. Jess channels her inner Murderino and starts investiging.
I'm not much of a cozy mystery reader, so this was a fun change from my usual reads! I thought the B&B setting was great and the entire town sounded super cute. I especially loved all of the MFM/Murderino callouts! I did find the oft-repeated cool vibes/rose all day/it's wine o'clock sentiments rather grating (though, to be fair to the book: I find them deeply irritating no matter the context) and multiple people speaking in hashtags was... not my favorite. Those gripes aside, the mystery was solid, and this was overall a very entertaining listen. I would happily read/listen to the next book in the planned series!
(( audiobook ))
* thank you to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions and Crooked Lane Books for the NetGalley audio and digital copies for review. PERIL IN PINK publishes March 19, 2024....more
Cindy (leavemetomybooks)
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2024-03
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