A sweet contemporary romance between a matchmaker and the app creator of a dating service, both centered around Chinese zodiac traits. The beginning oA sweet contemporary romance between a matchmaker and the app creator of a dating service, both centered around Chinese zodiac traits. The beginning of this book started off rocky for me as I didn't love the deceit taking place, but the plot quickly changed for the better and I enjoyed the book a lot more after about 40%. I thought this covered a lot of great topics such as family, loyalty, Chinese zodiac, mixed race heritage, and what makes people compatible. I would definitely try another book by this author in the future....more
Christa is a scientist working on a remote island studying sea snails when she gets the call: her father who famously disappeared in a plan 3.5 stars
Christa is a scientist working on a remote island studying sea snails when she gets the call: her father who famously disappeared in a plane crash over 20 years ago has been found... and he's alive. Rushed back to Los Angeles, she is reunited with her mom and two sisters and childhood friend Nate. Her father's story of survival seems farfetched, but the family wants to forgive him. Until some things don't add up and Christa needs to re-evaluate her life and relationships.
This was such a fun and interesting premise, like if Steve Irwin was presumed dead and then came back to life. Christa was a really interesting character and there were lost of interesting family dynamics and growth moment. This is my third book by Abbi Waxman, and while I really do enjoy her books for the most part, plotwise they always seem to lack that big punch. There were lots of missed opportunities between the characters to really dig deeper and Christa almost always ran away from it all. So this book is solidly 3.5 stars because it's better than a 3 but not quite there for a 4 star rating.
Review copy provided by Berkley, thank you. I also listened to audiobook via public library ...more
After visiting Starling House one night, Opal finds herself drawn back to the sprawling spooky mansion. She ends up convincing the owner, A 3.5 stars
After visiting Starling House one night, Opal finds herself drawn back to the sprawling spooky mansion. She ends up convincing the owner, Arthur, into reluctantly giving her a cleaning job. But there's more to Starling House than meets the eye, and the house wants Opal...
I thought this was a great, atmospheric, spooky little book. It came to my attention when I saw the author Alix Harrow speak at the LA Festival of books and I put it on my tbr after her panel. This is one of those books where I really did like it, but it had a stronger start than finish. I thought Opal and her brother Jasper were such fun characters with a great relationship. Arthur was very intriguing. I just think some of the pacing and plot lacked a bit, hence 3.5 stars and not a higher rating....more
The action packed story of the family outcast who finds himself tangled in a web of lies. My first book by Scottoline, I wasn't sure what 3.5 stars!
The action packed story of the family outcast who finds himself tangled in a web of lies. My first book by Scottoline, I wasn't sure what to expect and ended up enjoying the ride of this plot. TJ was an interesting character and narrator as the black sheep of the family and how that all caused things to unfold. This is one of those books where I had a lot of fun listening along to what was happening, but I can tell in a couple of months I probably won't remember the details. Mango the cat was my favorite part of the book, she's a star!!...more
My first book by Meryl Wilsner (who I've been meaning to read ever since I saw them at LA Festival of Books in 2023). This book follows two soccer plaMy first book by Meryl Wilsner (who I've been meaning to read ever since I saw them at LA Festival of Books in 2023). This book follows two soccer players, one a stoic team captain, the other an outspoken newbie. Attraction sparks right when they meet, but playing on the same team means some conflict and tension.
I enjoyed this book but it was solidly in the "it's just okay" category for me. I had it on my list for a while and it counts for a reading bingo square for "Olympics" so I pushed this to the front of the tbr. There was just a lot of internal monologuing for me, it was endless to the point that it was either that or sex scenes. Which is fine! But I wanted more the character development earlier in the book (with some more plot) rather than the dump we got later. Otherwise it's a fun sports romance and it was nice to see women's soccer in the mix.
An ALC was provided by libro.fm via the librarian ALC program ...more
A romance between bodyguard Walker and housekeeper Sloane. Sloane has a mysterious past, but has been able to hide in Scotland employed at a private cA romance between bodyguard Walker and housekeeper Sloane. Sloane has a mysterious past, but has been able to hide in Scotland employed at a private club retreat for the rich and famous. Walker is a guard that works at the estate. Sparks fly between the two, but Walker is wary of getting serious with the sweet, single mother.
Maybe it's just me, but as I've been reading the Adair series by Samantha Young, and now this spinoff series... these books have become a little bit too formulaic for me. I'll still read anything Young writes as she's one of my favorite authors, but this book felt overly long and I predicted just about every major event that happened. I'm curious about North and Aria's story, so hopefully that one will be good....more
Really not much to say about this one. I think I prefer Ann Cleeve's stories on screen more than reading her books. This book felt all over the place Really not much to say about this one. I think I prefer Ann Cleeve's stories on screen more than reading her books. This book felt all over the place with the reveal at the end coming out of nowhere. It's probably just me though, many other readers really loved this book....more
I was very excited about this book when I heard about it: marriage of convenience, didn't actually get divorced, have to pretend to really 3.5 stars
I was very excited about this book when I heard about it: marriage of convenience, didn't actually get divorced, have to pretend to really be married, only one bed? It had all the markings of a book I would usually love. And I enjoyed it for the most part, but we ended up with a Succession like family story and that's where this fell a little bit flat for me.
I really loved the parts with Anna and West falling in love. But if you're going to dive in hard with toxic familial relationships I need a bit more closure on that in the end, more than what we got in this book. I liked this book, but felt pacing and story were a bit off. But Christina and Lauren always write a good time so I'm still glad I read this one. More glad I checked it out from my local library....more
An atmospheric thriller from Riley Sager about Ethan Marsh, a man in his 40 haunted by a tragic event that happened to him when he was a child. ThirtyAn atmospheric thriller from Riley Sager about Ethan Marsh, a man in his 40 haunted by a tragic event that happened to him when he was a child. Thirty years earlier, Ethan was having a sleepover in a tent in his backyard with his friend Billy. That night someone sliced the tent and took Billy, never to be seen again. Years later Ethan is back and convinced Billy's got something to tell him...
Riley Sager is an author whose books I will always read but don't always love. He can be hit or miss. This one fell in the middle for me a bit. I think this story had great bones but got a bit lost in the minutia of the everyday details. Sager paints a picture of what life on the lane was like in the 90's versus present day, and there were a lot of twists and turns. I did enjoy this book, but at no point was I scared, thrilled, or even super invested in what would happen by the end. And that's not my usual reaction to a Sager novel. I think many people will love this book, and I will always been reading this author's books, no matter what he writes.
An advanced listening copy by provided by libro.fm via the librarian alc program ...more
A romance between wedding planner Lear and divorce attorney RJ. I liked this book, but it also didn't wow me. I really loved Denise Williams' first boA romance between wedding planner Lear and divorce attorney RJ. I liked this book, but it also didn't wow me. I really loved Denise Williams' first book How to Fail at Flirting, but I've read 3 other books by her and none of them have blown me away. Hopefully her next book knocks it out of the park!...more
I don't have much to say about this one except I didn't love it as much as I expected to. I found the beginning of this book disjointed and confusing I don't have much to say about this one except I didn't love it as much as I expected to. I found the beginning of this book disjointed and confusing (probably because I didn't read the book that came before this one even though this is a standalone) and I didn't always feeling the yearning between the two main characters.
I thought Catherine/Ying Ying was an outstanding heroine, she was so interesting and had many qualities you don't normally read in a historical romance. I wish I saw more heroines like her in my romance novels....more
A second chance romance between a Hollywood director and his production assistant.
I think Myah Ariel is a wonderful writer and I am very excited to seA second chance romance between a Hollywood director and his production assistant.
I think Myah Ariel is a wonderful writer and I am very excited to see what else she writes in the future. For me, second chance romance is a genre/trope close to my heart. This book, the author didn't sell me on the couple's previous romance enough for me to really feel why they were drawn to each other years later. This book was a good example of when authors tell you things instead of showing you.
Lots of really great moments, Kaliya was an outstanding main character. I wasn't the biggest fan of Danny, but side characters Neha and Bella were also amazing and I loved them....more
This book was a really great look at what happens when a big moment occurs in the timeline and how it affects a singular family. It was a bit hard to This book was a really great look at what happens when a big moment occurs in the timeline and how it affects a singular family. It was a bit hard to get into at first, but as the story progressed and we got closer and closer to the truth I found myself really wanting to know what happened. This is my second book by Angie Kim and both have been three star reads. I think she's a very talented writer, but I haven't loved either one of her books, I've mostly just liked them....more
You know you're a millennial when your brain adds "gossip girl" every time XOXO is said in this book.
I thought this book was super cute, in a lot of wYou know you're a millennial when your brain adds "gossip girl" every time XOXO is said in this book.
I thought this book was super cute, in a lot of ways it reminded me of the Netflix series XOXO Kitty (I believe this book came out first, not sure). But also as a millennial woman in my 30's I am not the target demographic and it wasn't for me, nor was it meant for me! I mostly read it to complete my A-Z title reading challenge for a title with the letter "X".
A sweet romance between a music student and a K-Pop star. I had fun reading along as the main character moved from the USA to Korea and all of the stories of her making new friends and getting to know her grandmother better. The cast of characters is what made this book strong for me. But reading this book helped me realize (even more than I already have) that I think my reading tastes are evolving away from YA....more
In the 1960's Frances has her fortune told and it predicts her future murder. Now, present day, she has been murdered after a lifetime of t 3.5 stars
In the 1960's Frances has her fortune told and it predicts her future murder. Now, present day, she has been murdered after a lifetime of trying to find out who. Her great-niece Annie Adams who was in town to meet with Frances, begins to try and solve the murder. Using documents her great-aunt left behind, Annie begins to unwind the web surrounding Frances' death. But she isn't the only one trying to solve the murder, and whomever does first, inherits everything.
I thought the first half of this book was a little boring and stilted. I actually almost quit but decided to keep listening and I am glad I did because the second half was way better than the first half. Lots of the dialogue felt very stiff and disjointed but got better. And the overall mystery of everything picked up and the story got going a lot better. I had trouble keeping track of a lot of the characters, but I did really like Annie as a main character and would be willing to try more books if she is in them....more
It's not the fault of this book that I don't care for novellas but even though books 1 and 2 of this series were five star reads for me, th 3.5 stars
It's not the fault of this book that I don't care for novellas but even though books 1 and 2 of this series were five star reads for me, this one was too short for me to be invested/love it. Taking place between books 2 and 3, this novella follows Mallory as she follows a housemaid into an underground crime ring.
I mostly read this so I wouldn't be confused reading book 3. Lots of little tidbits and new characters thrown in here that I think will become important. I wish this book was in audio as I think I would have enjoyed it much more in that format....more
When Lady Dane's husband unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself in a predicament with the her late husband's family and custody of her 3.5 stars
When Lady Dane's husband unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself in a predicament with the her late husband's family and custody of her children. To resolve this, she enters into a fake relationship with Nathaniel Travers who owes her a favor. But as the two spend time together, and Nate spends time with Cora and her children, the entire family begins to become attached as outside forces threaten to tear them apart.
One of those solid I liked it but didn't love it kind of books. I feel like the author could have shaved off a good 50-100 pages of this book and it would have been a 4 or 5 star read, but stretches of this book felt like a bit of a slog to get through. I really liked Nate as a romantic hero because he was flawed but did his best to learn and grow and improve upon himself. Cora was also solidly okay in that I didn't have strong feelings about her either way. Overall one of those books where I enjoyed it, but it didn't hit me as hard as it did other readers (as I can see by the reviews)....more
Probably my least favorite of Simone St. James that I've read, but not terrible! Taking place in the 90's, a newlywed couple pick up a hitch-hiker on Probably my least favorite of Simone St. James that I've read, but not terrible! Taking place in the 90's, a newlywed couple pick up a hitch-hiker on a secluded highway. But soon they realize the girl they've picked up is dying, and a truck is in pursuit of them. After the girl perishes at the hospital, the couple are the number one suspects for her murder.
Sun-Down Motel and The Broken Girls are some of my favorite books ever, so Murder Road had a lot to live up to and it didn't quite reach. I found I didn't care about the mystery of it all or most of the characters in this book which is really a shame. Even the twists and turns seemed really out there and yet... boring at the same time. I mostly enjoyed this book hence three stars, but this was the weakest of this author's books I've read so far and it was quite the disappointment as a fan of hers....more
I really enjoyed this author's previous book The Hacienda and was excited to pick up Vampires of El Norte. While I enjoyed it in the end, the 3 stars
I really enjoyed this author's previous book The Hacienda and was excited to pick up Vampires of El Norte. While I enjoyed it in the end, there was a point maybe 70% in where I considered dnf-ing this book because quite honestly: this book was kind of boring. It was also filled with a second chance childhood sweetheart romance that was fairly lackluster. But the best parts were the fighting scenes at the end, otherwise this would have been a 2 star read....more
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