Started reading this advanced reader copy and literally the first thing I could think of... how can anyone be THIS bad at serving tables? It's not rocStarted reading this advanced reader copy and literally the first thing I could think of... how can anyone be THIS bad at serving tables? It's not rocket science, but listening to the main character, Lexi, is quite literally a train wreck - but I think it's also from losing every ounce of confidence in her life.
(3.5/5 rounded up) - Unexpectedly really cute!! I think I knew I would like this as a brain candy read and that's exactly what it was. What I'm really(3.5/5 rounded up) - Unexpectedly really cute!! I think I knew I would like this as a brain candy read and that's exactly what it was. What I'm really hoping is that Donovan continues this series, but we get to see more of the organization Emily's boss is a part of that takes care of these slightly magical objects throughout the globe.
**Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR ...more
Disability representation in romance novels is becoming increasingly commonplace, but I genuinely feel there should be more of these!!
Also - I'm biasDisability representation in romance novels is becoming increasingly commonplace, but I genuinely feel there should be more of these!!
Also - I'm biased regarding Mimi Matthews because I've always loved her books. However, one of the reasons I love her and the reason you'll love the fourth book in the Belles of London series is that her characters have SO much depth. Their relationships are unconventional but in a lovely, inspiring way.
- The first book in the series was The Siren of Sussex where the main couple was interracial during the Victorian Era. - The second book, which I haven't read yet, although I have a physical copy waiting for me - Is a marriage of convenience romance and I will 100% be reading that while at the beach in a few weeks!! - The third book in the series tackles overcoming serious self-doubt issues. **The Muse of Maiden Lane is the fourth book, and one of the characters was an artist in a wheelchair - not the gentry at all, and I loved their characters all the more for it!!
(4.3/5) - I'll pretty much read anything that Mimi Matthews writes and most likely fall in love with her characters!! The one thing I was thinking throughout all of this though is that the MMC was very young? 24 seems like a really young little lad lol But overall - I still really enjoyed the story!
**Thank you to Berkley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR ...more
3.5/5 - It's so sweet it gave me toothaches.. lol I want more anger and real-ness3.5/5 - It's so sweet it gave me toothaches.. lol I want more anger and real-ness...more
Anytime we have a heroine in historical fiction who loves books—and tawdry reads at that—I'm pretty much destined to enjoy the story! In the case of NAnytime we have a heroine in historical fiction who loves books—and tawdry reads at that—I'm pretty much destined to enjoy the story! In the case of Ne'er Duke Well, there's something irresistible about a woman who loved spicy romance back in the day—mostly because I sometimes forget that this style of book has been around forever!!
As for Selina & Peter - there's something truly delectable about a relationship that starts off because one needs help from the other. It's innocent and absolutely something I could see happening! From movies like Made of Honor with Patrick Dempsey - where he realizes that he loves her only after he's about to lose her, etc - these are the stories I like to read whilst laying in a pile of chocolate wrappers, ya know? Nothing major on the line, and two utterly likable characters falling in love.
**I liked this so much that when I was majorly cleaning out my Kindle for storage purposes - I realized I had accidentally deleted it and had it sent to myself again. I'll probably end up re-reading this one!! ...more
3.5/5 (rounded up to a 4) - I laughed quite a bit while listening to this, and I love the sweetness of the ending. These were easy characters to get a3.5/5 (rounded up to a 4) - I laughed quite a bit while listening to this, and I love the sweetness of the ending. These were easy characters to get along with while on a long road trip!!...more
I don't understand what's happening with the romance publishing industry sometimes.. this feels like you told ChatGPT to write a book as if 'Emily HenI don't understand what's happening with the romance publishing industry sometimes.. this feels like you told ChatGPT to write a book as if 'Emily Henry and Hallmark had a baby'.
After both being dumped in particularly embarrassing/painful ways, these ex-high school best friends (who were almost something more) decide to make the world think they're dating... and really, their lives can only go up from where they're both at.
I DNFed this at around 30%. It had all the makings of something cute but I just had a hard time connecting with the characters. I'm not sure why but 'failing tea shop owner and a bored New York finance bro decide it's time to make their exes jealous - all while set in a lovely seaside town with a Bridgerton-esque tea shop as the backdrop' should've been much more cute than it felt the whole time.
(If I didn't read so many romances - I would probably have finished and loved this but I didn't realize it was a fake-dating romance and I REALLY loathe those.)...more
Explorations of grief are challenging - but I love books like this when I'm trying to be mentally calm.
Reasons I Loved It: - Mellors does a great job Explorations of grief are challenging - but I love books like this when I'm trying to be mentally calm.
Reasons I Loved It: - Mellors does a great job with character studies. I know exactly who our four main characters were at 10% of the way in. - The character growth? *phenomenal* - Sisterhood described, explained, wrenched from the universe? Unparalleled. I highlighted so many sections while reading, but I couldn't get enough.
My favorite quote of the whole book: 'True sisterhood...You don't chose each other, and there's no furtive period of getting to know the other. You're part of each other, right from the start.' - It's hard to explain this if you're not a woman with a sister.. but it's so true. I don't remember a single day without my sister in my life. Almost 3 decades of love wrapped in catfights, shared Polly Pockets, forced cuddles and ridiculous jokes all wrapped in one relationship that I couldn't explain better if I tried.
The Reason I Removed One Star: - I felt that the sections from 60-80% of the way through were sluggish and I wanted to quit. I'm glad I didn't, but something about that was just almost an overload of sadness and I desperately wanted it to get better. Thankfully it did but I can't handle THAT much sad.
*We leave for a road trip in 8 days and I'm excited but MUCH to do until then! Getting through my ARCs at record speed so be prepared to be peppered with reviews.
**Thank you Ballantine for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own. - SLR...more
DNF'ed this at 40%. I really wanted to like this because so many people gave it great reviews, but both of the main characters were a bit annoying, ANDNF'ed this at 40%. I really wanted to like this because so many people gave it great reviews, but both of the main characters were a bit annoying, AND there's a little too much of EVERYTHING thrown into this suspenseful plot.
- Remote Greek estate setting near the sea - A newly married wealthy couple who now have money problems and like to invite others into their bed - A random couple that were shaping up to be con artists - A young lawyer who's best friends with the newlywed bride - WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE RECEIVING THREATENING 'I KNOW WHAT YOU DID' style emails *gasp*
The thrillers I like best have more nuanced development. Not a kitchen sink approach.
What historical figure would you go back and meet again today if you could?
The Nightingale’s Castle is one of those novels that immediately transformWhat historical figure would you go back and meet again today if you could?
The Nightingale’s Castle is one of those novels that immediately transforms your surroundings. Readers will feel every jostle of the carriage traversing the Carpathian mountains of Hungary and become a fly on the wall to perhaps the most accurate reimagining of the infamous Blood Countess’s story!
There’s something magical about diving into stories we’ve heard a thousand times, especially when they’re told through a new lens. For me, reading historical accounts from a woman’s perspective is like discovering hidden chapters in a well-loved book. It’s not just about the stories but how these fresh viewpoints can completely reshape our understanding of history’s most iconic figures. This was easily another 5 star read for these reminders alone!!!
When women writers, historians, or fictional voices reinterpret these tales, they breathe new life into the narratives. Suddenly, the figures we thought we knew become more nuanced, their struggles and triumphs more relatable. It’s as if the history we’ve always seen in black and white becomes vibrant and multidimensional. Each page turns into a window through which we can view the past in a way that’s rich with empathy and insight.
Reading these perspectives has a profound effect on how we process and relate to historical events. It challenges long-standing assumptions and invites us to see the past with fresh eyes. These stories make us reconsider the roles and impacts of figures who have often been oversimplified or overlooked, offering a fuller, more inclusive view of history. So, next time you pick up a book that reimagines a familiar tale, savor how it transforms your perception and deepens your connection to the past.
HISTORICAL NOTES: Báthory’s notoriety stems from accusations of horrific acts, including the t0rture and murd3r of young women. Reports suggest that she believed bathing in the blood of virgins would preserve her youth and beauty. These allegations were largely brought to light by political rivals and fueled by sensationalist accounts of the time. The true extent of her guilt remains debated among historians, with some suggesting that she may have been the victim of a politically motivated conspiracy to strip her of her wealth and power. In 1610, after a lengthy investigation, Báthory was imprisoned in her castle and later died in 1614. Her legacy blends historical fact and myth, with her life often overshadowed by folklore and dramatic retellings.
**Thank you, @bibliolifestyle & @harperperennial, for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own. - SLR...more
I read it in tandem on Kindle Unlimited and a physical copy for a book club I'm in, and I'm so excited to review it This was unexpectedly fantastic!!
I read it in tandem on Kindle Unlimited and a physical copy for a book club I'm in, and I'm so excited to review it with all the gals in the group!
THOUGHTS: - Fun world-building (quite literally world-building - some fun sci-fi elements with terraforming new planets) The idea of the different planets that work together, etc., is really fun. However, there aren't any aliens, which I've also found interesting. It's all human-based, and I'm wondering if some of that will come in. - Lighter/ fresher Star Trek vibes?
Romance: As this is a young adult/New adult - I think there was an appropriate level of romance, including hand-holding/light kissing. (no heavy petting or open door s3x scenes. Didn't even allude to s3xual situations happening. Just lots of flirting and a sweet romance developing!
Will be grabbing the next one on Kindle Unlimited ASAP!...more
Could you live on a remote island with only one way on or off every 6 months or so?
After being completely surprised by the genre of Welcome to GloriouCould you live on a remote island with only one way on or off every 6 months or so?
After being completely surprised by the genre of Welcome to Glorious Tuga - I’m so glad I have more diverse reads on my list this month. This has happened to me a few times now - especially since starting this account and being exposed to a myriad of genres & it’s such a good feeling to feel refreshed after you read something entirely new! As I look to expand my thoughts and attempt perspectives I’ve never read before - one I’ve never considered was reading from the perspective of a remote islander and what it would be like to come in as an outsider looking to make a life somewhere.
Fitting in and making friends is already hard enough as an adult - and while I thought that was going to be the majority of Segal’s novel - about two-thirds of the way in, there was a major pivot that had me not putting it down until the very end!!
If you love: - Conservation efforts - conversations surrounding self/governance of island territories - Tight-knit communities - stories of female friendship ... you’ll love this book!! (I also plan on gifting this to a few people before the summer’s end!)
**Welcome to Glorious Tuga also won the Costa First Novel Award and rightly earned! Thank you, Ecco, for sending a copy of this lovely read. All thoughts are my own. - SLR
I started this ARC and in less than 50 pages - I am immediately swept away to the lovely island of Tuga where lush greenery and tropical life abound.
Some random thoughts: - I can't imagine what kind of life you'd live if you were on an island like this, sequestered away from the world. Who would you really be if you didn't have much outside influence? TV and books can't really explain the world in the way that experience does.. - Could I live in such an isolated way? With access to books and the internet - I feel like anything is possible!!...more
Southern Lady Reads (Crazy Busy-Will Catch Up!)
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2024
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