Set in the 1930's Kentucky, this book follows Cussy, a blue woman who works as a travelling librarian. Shunned by the community for her rare skin coloSet in the 1930's Kentucky, this book follows Cussy, a blue woman who works as a travelling librarian. Shunned by the community for her rare skin color, Cussy travels the mountains delivering books to people in remote areas.
Well, I seem to be in the minority on this one based on all the four and five star reviews. I thought the idea and bones of the book were great, I absolutely hated the execution. Learning about the blue people in Kentucky was interesting, as well as the profession of traveling librarian. But this book read a bit like trauma porn to me, with terrible things happening all the time to the main character, and I was not in the mood for that. This book was also very simply written and melodramatic, which normally I don't mind, but it felt like reading a Hallmark movie and just wasn't for me.
I actually always wanted to read this because I had seen the "scandal" that Jojo Moyes allegedly copied this author for her book The Giver of Stars. I wanted to read this book, and then that one to compare and contrast and I still will. Curious to see if I will like that book more....more
I feel this book would have been much better if it wasn't a Great Gatsby retelling. I know that defeats the whole purpose of this being a part of the I feel this book would have been much better if it wasn't a Great Gatsby retelling. I know that defeats the whole purpose of this being a part of the remixed classics series, but The Great Gatsby story just doesn't make sense with teens.
I loved that this book featured two trans male leads with a diverse group of characters. That's where my love of this book ends. The idea that 14 year olds were fighting in the war, Jay meeting Daisy when she was 13 (yikes), and an added in jewelry heist plot point all didn't work. I know the author was approached to write this book and I think they did the best they could. But this just didn't work for me. I may be biased because I am not a huge fan of The Great Gatsby to begin with, but this retelling actually made me appreciate the original and didn't seem to accomplish what it set out to do....more
I think this falls under "I would have liked this book more had it not been so overhyped, therefore I thought it was okay and fun but nothing to writeI think this falls under "I would have liked this book more had it not been so overhyped, therefore I thought it was okay and fun but nothing to write home about".
A romance that takes place on a Bachelor style show where the Prince falls for his male handler instead of the 20 or so women fighting for him. I thought it was cute and I love the premise. I do wish I had read instead of listening because I think one of the narrators was bad, but maybe I'll give this a chance and reread it someday....more
The second book in the Regency Faerie Tales series, I ended up enjoying this book way more than I thought I would.
Effie, a housemaid, has fallen in loThe second book in the Regency Faerie Tales series, I ended up enjoying this book way more than I thought I would.
Effie, a housemaid, has fallen in love with a man well above her station. When Effie bumps into fae Lord Blackthorn, she is hesitant to accept any help from him knowing deals with the fae don't always go as planned. But Effie makes the deal to become a lady, and must give him ten thousand stiches in return.
This book focused on inequities of the time it's set, much like the first book. But having this book set from the perspective of a maid showed more of the downstairs viewpoints than the first novel did. Lord Blackthorn was a fun character and I loved seeing the dynamic of him and Effie since the two were so different. Despite focusing on serious issues this is also a fun romantic series and I'm excited to read the third book....more
I'd like to grow up and be Hilarie Burton Morgan someday (even though I am in fact, a grown up right now).
Mostly a collection of fond memories, witchI'd like to grow up and be Hilarie Burton Morgan someday (even though I am in fact, a grown up right now).
Mostly a collection of fond memories, witchy advice, and recommendations on starting your witchy journey. Less of an actual memoir as it's categorized. Still lovely and Burton-Morgan is a great writer and narrator....more
In the summer of 1974 during a heat wave and political upheaval, a young black man is found dead and a white teenage girl goes missing. The the incideIn the summer of 1974 during a heat wave and political upheaval, a young black man is found dead and a white teenage girl goes missing. The the incidents seem unrelated, until the mother of the teen girl finds a connection. This book is the story of a mothers search for her daughter and a cop who wants justice for both of these victims.
This was an absolutely brutal book to read. My first book by Dennis Lehane, I have heard of him because of his other books such as Mystic River, but had never actually read one. I'm glad this book was my first because it was an emotional roller coaster ride in the best possible way. Lehane did not stray away from the ugly truth in this book, or the flaws that make a person who they are. This is a story that is going to stay with me for a very long time....more
Not too much historical, not too much fantasy, this was a great story about someone who never felt as if they were enough. Honestly had such a great tNot too much historical, not too much fantasy, this was a great story about someone who never felt as if they were enough. Honestly had such a great time listening to this book, would love to see more fae/faerie books like this one....more
Noelle is grieving the loss of her grandmother when she discovers letters and photos revealing her grandmother had another love before her gr 2 stars
Noelle is grieving the loss of her grandmother when she discovers letters and photos revealing her grandmother had another love before her grandfather. After posting the pictures on tik tok, the story goes viral and leads Noelle to a sweet older man named Paul. When the two of them decide to go on a trip he intended to take with her grandmother, Noelle is ecstatic to go. The downside? Paul's grandson Theo, Noelle's high school nemesis.
I think what stuck out most for me with this book was it was supposed to be about Noelle grieving the loss of her grandmother, but we never really saw that. She supposedly had this amazing relationship with her grandma, but it was never really discussed. It felt like a really good example of telling and not showing. Most of the book seemed to be more focused on Theo and Noelle's competition and seems to glaze over some much needed backstory.
I really wanted to like this book, great cover, semi-interesting plot, enemies to lovers trope. But, it was really easy to put down. I thought the story was boring and found myself wanting to listen to music on my commute instead of my audiobook, which is never a good sign. I just wish the inside of this book had been as interesting as the cover....more
How do I say this.... I enjoyed this book but I also acknowledge that it's not good. In fact, it's proba 3 stars
Yet another mostly incoherent review.
How do I say this.... I enjoyed this book but I also acknowledge that it's not good. In fact, it's probably actually bad. But I was entertained! That's all that matters, right?
One constant thought was pestering me the entire time I was listening to this book... how do you set a romance in college and almost never even mention a single college course? Bestie, I remember college and it was not all frat parties and hockey games. Some balance, please!
What this book had going for it was the spicy parts, but everything else mostly fell flat for me. A lot of the beginning of the book could have been cut out and the book would still have the same impact. I was definitely curious as to why this book was so popular and drawing a blank. As I said before, I enjoyed it but there really wasn't much to it. But I guess we are all allowed to like bad books....more
I never though I'd grow up to be a cozy mystery gal but I am becoming more and more of a fan! Book two in the Molly the Maid series, The Mystery GuestI never though I'd grow up to be a cozy mystery gal but I am becoming more and more of a fan! Book two in the Molly the Maid series, The Mystery Guest takes place a few years after the events of the first book. Molly has been promoted to head maid at the hotel and is training a new employee and things are generally going well for her. Until a famous author drops dead at a news conference at the hotel and everyone fears the staff will take the blame.
I really liked The Maid and was pleasantly surprised we got a second book. The best part about this one was the flashbacks to Molly's childhood and all of the events that led to who she is as a person in the present book. I thought this was a great mystery story, it kept my attention, wasn't confusing, and unfolded really well. I hope we get to read more of Molly the Maid because I can see this becoming a really great series.
Advance listening copy provided by libro.fm ...more
Repeat after me: We are allowed to like predictable books
What Lies in the Woods follows Naomi, a woman who was attacked by a serial killer when she Repeat after me: We are allowed to like predictable books
What Lies in the Woods follows Naomi, a woman who was attacked by a serial killer when she was a child and she and her friends were instrumental in putting him away. Now, they're all adults and the man they sent to prison has died, and with his death brings new questions. Naomi hunts for answers as she realizes those closest to her have been lying to her for years.
I really enjoyed this book, despite having predicted almost every single twist in it. There's actually something comforting about knowing where a book will go. I thought this book did a great job weaving the story and mystery together and I thought all the character dynamics were super interesting. This would make a really great tv series or movie....more
Taking place where Maid ended, Class is the personal memoir of Stephanie Land and her time at college in Missoula. After leaving 3.5 stars rounded up
Taking place where Maid ended, Class is the personal memoir of Stephanie Land and her time at college in Missoula. After leaving behind her abusive ex and starting fresh at college in a new state, Land is still struggling to raise her daughter and attend school at the same time. Child support and food stamps are not enough, and Land faces new hardships while working to make a better life for her and her child.
I really loved the book Maid, it's one of my favorite nonfiction books. Class is similar and yet different from its first book. Land is an excellent writer and has a way of drawing in her readers with her stories. It definitely was hard for me to understand some of Land's choices in her new life. Yes, she worked really hard and earned every great thing that came her way. I had a hard time reading why Land let go of some friendships seemingly so easily, I don't think as a reader we got enough context. And there were many different men mentioned, to the point I lost track of who was who.
But what makes this book is the little moments: where someone was kind when they didn't have to be, getting ice cream with her daughter, a trip to the hair salon. I can find myself getting choked up at certain moments when listening. If Land writes more about her life, I am seated and ready to read it. She writes what not many people are writing and I very much enjoy her stories....more
Incoherent review alert. Originally when I read this book I thought it was a new to me author and after reading discovered I had already read one of hIncoherent review alert. Originally when I read this book I thought it was a new to me author and after reading discovered I had already read one of her books and enjoyed it. That was a shock to me because this book... it was not good. A grumpy sunshine with a man that honestly was not very grumpy, just slightly introverted with some trauma and an annoying heroine.
Normally with Christmas books we don't get enough of the holiday, in this book we got too much. It was too much Christmas and had every Hallmark story shoved all into one book. If the author had stuck to the original story outlined in the description, it would have been very good! But instead too much was added in and everything went all over the place. Lots of potential but it just fell flat. Don't forget it had incredibly cringe sex scenes I disassociated and tried my best to forget...more
Romantic Comedy is a celebrity romance between a TNO tv writer and a famous singer. Sally has written for TNO for many years when Noah comes on as a hRomantic Comedy is a celebrity romance between a TNO tv writer and a famous singer. Sally has written for TNO for many years when Noah comes on as a host. For a week, the two have insane chemistry, but then they lose touch. Now, years later during Covid lockdown, one reaches out to the other and the two reconnect.
I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. I do think the title is misleading because the book isn't a romcom in any stretch of the word, more like a romance that centers around a comedy writer. It was fun to see the author use SNL as a meet cute, and I liked the idea of a celebrity falling for one of the writers. Lots of great questions asked in this book about attractiveness, sincerity, fame, insecurity and more. I really enjoyed listening and it was nice to read a romance with characters approaching their forties....more
A cozy mystery set in a grand hotel in NYC in 1958, this book follows heiress Evelyn. most people think she's an eccentric Marilyn knock of 2.5 stars
A cozy mystery set in a grand hotel in NYC in 1958, this book follows heiress Evelyn. most people think she's an eccentric Marilyn knock off, but in actuality she's an agoraphobic rich woman afraid to leave the hotel. When a guest is murdered, Evelyn decides to solve the case.
The word that comes to mind when I think of this book is "lackluster". I found the story a bit dull and the main character boring. It was fun enough to follow along and I was able to read until the end of the book. But I felt the pacing was all over the place and some of the dialogue too modern for a story set in the 1950's....more
The story of Ruth and Catherine, mother and daughter, who have always been them against the world. When Catherine is gearing up to start a new job in The story of Ruth and Catherine, mother and daughter, who have always been them against the world. When Catherine is gearing up to start a new job in Baltimore, Ruth begins exhibiting signs of early onset Alzheimer's/dementia. But as time goes by, Catherine begins to suspect not all is as it seems
This was quite the wild ride. It's funny because even though some things about this book were predictable, I still enjoyed it and didn't expect it to go in the directions it did. This is best read mostly blind, so try not to overthink anything as you're reading along. My favorite parts were Ruth's flashbacks and her story of how she got to present day. Could most of this book been resolved if the two of them just talked to each other? Yes, but then we wouldn't have a book....more
A book about two young Hollywood stars, one on the rise to fame, the other a former child star, and while filming a movie they fall in love. Sounds reA book about two young Hollywood stars, one on the rise to fame, the other a former child star, and while filming a movie they fall in love. Sounds really interesting and fun, yes? It wasn't. Instead what we got was a coming of age story that felt like a YA novel instead of one for adults. And honestly, it was wayyyy more trauma than actual romance. I'd hesitate to call this a romance novel.
This book was a great example of telling and not showing. We were often told things happened off the page (especially a pivotal time in both the characters lives near the end) and there was a Greek chorus type vibe with inserted opinions via Youtube or online discussions. Personally, this book brought me to a mentally bad space and I felt there was some on the page trauma that didn't actually need to be on the page (but that's just my preferences). I never understood why Matty and Logan actually liked each other, they had great sexual chemistry but to be honest, they felt like they were better as each others messy relationships before you move on and find the real thing with someone else.
This is my first book by Kacen Callendar and while it didn't work for me, I'd be willing to read a different book by them in the future....more
Two rival journalists find a magical connection and love through enchanted typewriters. Iris Winnow lives a hard live with her alcoholic mother[image]
Two rival journalists find a magical connection and love through enchanted typewriters. Iris Winnow lives a hard live with her alcoholic mother and her brother fighting the war and missing in action. Her rival at her newspaper job is Roman Kitt, and the two are fighting for the same job. Iris writes letters to her brother which she places under a wardrobe where they magically disappear, and unknowingly to Iris, they go to Roman.
I read this book based on the recommendation of a book seller and I am so happy I picked it up. I didn't even realize this book was considered YA fiction, because even though the main characters are teens this read more like an adult novel/story to me. I loved listening along to what was happening with both characters, especially the world building. And the last 20% of this book broke me and I need the second book right now....more
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