So, I am actually really mad at whomever decided to market this book as Romancing the Stone/Indiana Jones because it was neither of those things. ThosSo, I am actually really mad at whomever decided to market this book as Romancing the Stone/Indiana Jones because it was neither of those things. Those are adventure stories with lots of action: this was a boring archeological dig where not much action (other than sexual) happens.
I think this book had a lot of potential, and Jo Segura is a decent writer, but this story itself and the execution of the plot was lackluster. We had two such great characters that had decent chemistry (aside from some ick sex scenes, at least ick to me) and yet the actual story was not good! How do you take the really cool story of what these characters were looking for and then make it boring, I don't know. But after not much happening throughout 80% of the book and then a super-dramatic over the top turn in the last 20% is what brought the book down from 3 to 2 stars for me.
An ALC was provided via the Librarian ALC program at Libro.fm ...more
When Mercy's brother Gary shows up at her house incoherent and affected by magic, Mercy and Adam head to Montana to see if they can break the 4 stars
When Mercy's brother Gary shows up at her house incoherent and affected by magic, Mercy and Adam head to Montana to see if they can break the spell. There they find themselves trapped in a resort in the midst of a snowstorm with other guests of the lodge. But not everything is as it seems and Mercy and Adam must find a magical artifact before even worse things begin to happen.
Let me start this with I am being very kind with my 4 star rating. Any other author or series I probably would have rated much lower, but I absolutely love this series and Mercy. But this book really was not up to the standards of the other books in this series. It was very disjointed with bad pacing and took me a very long time to read. But it's like pizza, even when it's bad, it's good. And I'll always welcome more of these characters and this world into my life. I just hope the next installment in the series is more plot forward than this book. This book felt a lot like a side quest.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. This did not affect my opinions, thoughts, rating, review. ...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
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 forbidden romance between a scientist and the man on the team trying to take over her company. Rue doesn't want relationships, she's just looking foA forbidden romance between a scientist and the man on the team trying to take over her company. Rue doesn't want relationships, she's just looking for a one night/good time. After meeting Eli, she finds out the man she was meant to hook up with is one of the people trying to take over her company. What ensues is a forbidden romance they must keep secret.
It pains me to write this, but this book was not good. In that I mean there is way to much science talk of things I don't understand, a lackluster romance between the main characters, and I hate to say it but the worst of all: this book was boring. And I am really sad about this because I loved Hazelwood's last few books! Bride and Love Theoretically were so good and this book was pretty bad; it took me several days to read and I had to force myself to finish it.
The authors note at the beginning said this book was more like erotica than her usual and imo she did not lean in hard enough to the erotica aspects of the book. It might have been better! But what we got to me read like a jumbled mess and while I always saw the attraction between Rue and Eli, I never really felt the love between them.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. This did not affect my opinion when reading this book or writing my review ...more
The third book in a series, Disturbing the Dead is not a standalone and you must read the first two books in the series to understand what happens in The third book in a series, Disturbing the Dead is not a standalone and you must read the first two books in the series to understand what happens in this book. Mallory, a woman who time travelled from the modern day into Victorian Scotland into the body of a young and pretty maid helps her employer to solve crimes as police consultants. When asked to attend a party of a mummy unwrapping, Mallory and Dr. Gray find a more recent body instead.
Kelley Armstrong is one of my all time favorite authors and this book proved yet again why I love her. I was riveted by this book and was finding excuses to keep listening to it as much as possible. In some regards in this third book we got some closure as the reader on certain topics. But what I really love is Mallory the main character and all of the relationships she has built with all of the side characters. That's what Kelley does best, bringing a cast of characters to life as if they're people you would know, even in Victorian Scotland.
This has quickly become one of my favorite series, and I hope there's a plan for MANY installments in the future because I cannot get enough of them.
I was gifted an advanced listening copy of this book via libro.fm as a part of their librarian ALC program ...more
After the events of the third book, Finlay and Vero find themselves on a road trip to Atlantic City to track down a stolen car and Vero's o 3.5 stars
After the events of the third book, Finlay and Vero find themselves on a road trip to Atlantic City to track down a stolen car and Vero's old friend Javi. Except Finlay's husband, mother and two children are along for the ride as well. Hiding their true mission becomes even harder when Finlay's cop boyfriend Nick shows up with all of this colleagues chasing a lead and won't let Finlay out of his sight.
I think what is bringing these books down now is the stakes: there's too many of them and they just keep going on and on. A lot was resolved by the end of the book but I remember thinking as I was listening that it was all getting a bit over the top (and I enjoyed the first three books!) and if Finlay wanted a relationship with Nick, how could she ever come clean with him? There's too much built up at this point. The highlights of this book were the dog Kevin Bacon, some resolution with Finlay's ex-husband, and some plot lines closed. I'll still be reading these books, I just didn't enjoy the direction this fourth book went in.
An advanced listening copy was provided by the libro.fm librarian ALC program ...more
Funny Story is about Daphne, whose fiancé left her for his best friend Petra shortly before their wedding. Having nowhere else to go, Daphne 4 stars
Funny Story is about Daphne, whose fiancé left her for his best friend Petra shortly before their wedding. Having nowhere else to go, Daphne moves in with Petra's ex-boyfriend Miles. The two are very mismatched, Daphne is a buttoned up children's librarian and Miles appears to be a stoner bartender. Working through their mutual heartbreak the two of them both learn that there is more to the other than meets the eye. But with a charity fundraiser coming up and Daphne's plan to get out of town after, can the two really rely on the other one to stay?
This was definitely more of a slow burn to me than Henry's other books. Normally when I read a book by this author, I devour it quickly. This one took several days and I felt the pacing was a little bit unbalanced. This book definitely picked up the pace in the second half and I was devouring it from then on. I really enjoyed watching Daphne and Miles fall in love, how they were so different but also so right for each other. A lot of the best moments for me was how they supported one another throughout hardships and bad family dynamics. That and the side characters were so fun (I want to be librarian Ashleigh someday!).
I have some nitpicky things about how the role of librarian was written in this book (as a public services librarian myself). I did wonder if Henry even talked to one before writing this book? I won't get into it in this review, but you best believe I was telling my colleagues some of the stuff and we were roasting it. But ultimately it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. And Emily Henry, if you want to write another librarian character in the future, my DMs are open to you.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley ...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
The second book in the Rachel Krall series, this installment follows podcast host Rachel as she is called to Florida to help the FBI with a 4 stars!
The second book in the Rachel Krall series, this installment follows podcast host Rachel as she is called to Florida to help the FBI with a missing persons case. An influencer, Madison has disappeared after visiting an inmate in prison, not convicted of murder, but a suspect in several cases. But the more Rachel and the FBI look into Madison the less they seem to know.
I was excited and apprehensive to read this book, The Night Swim is one of my favorite mystery novels and any book after has a tough act to follow. That plus lower starred arc reviews left me worried, but I shouldn't have because I enjoyed this book very much. It's very different from The Night Swim, but not in a bad way. Instead of just investigating for journalism, Rachel is joining law enforcement on the case and has more access to information than she normally would have. I thought this was a solid mystery and a very interesting book, my only complaint was there was too much influencer content.
I received an ALC through libro.fm as a part of their librarian ALC program. This did not affect my rating or review of this book ...more
After her aunt passes away, Clementine inherits her apartment. Clementine doesn't move in right away, but when she does she discovers her aun 4 stars
After her aunt passes away, Clementine inherits her apartment. Clementine doesn't move in right away, but when she does she discovers her aunt had not lied to her about it: sometimes the apartment is a time portal. One day Clementine comes home from work to meet Iwan, except the apartment she entered takes place seven years ago when he was subletting the place.
I really enjoyed this book, time travel stories are something I will always pick up and it was nice to read a more modern day one. Seven years instead of like, 100+ years back. It's funny how much can change (or not change) in that amount of time. I'm glad we got the perspective of Clementine so that most of the book was the "present" and we weren't jumping around in time. It helped to create the disparity between the Iwan seven years ago and the one in the present.
My favorite aspect of the book was the background story of Clementine dealing with her grief and loss of her aunt. Many times people lose someone they love and have to go on with their lives, happy or sad. I thought this book balanced that all really well. It also made me really hungry when I was reading it since it talked about food quite a bit....more
Elsie is an adjunct professor by day and a faux-dater by night (and she hates both of her jobs). All is going well until Elsie becomes a cand 5 stars
Elsie is an adjunct professor by day and a faux-dater by night (and she hates both of her jobs). All is going well until Elsie becomes a candidate for her dream job, and realizes the brother of one of her fake boyfriends will be one of her evaluators. Jack has misread Elsie from the very beginning and thinks the worst of her, and Elsie is going to set out to not only get the dream job but to prove him wrong.
I absolutely adored this book! I was nervous going in because Ali Hazelwood can be hit or miss for me and I saw that she said this was her most academic book yet. But I had nothing to fear because I absolutely devoured this book. I loved Elsie as a main character so much, she took people pleasing to the next level which seemed really exhausting. But the best part was how Jack saw through that, almost right away and wanted to get to know Elsie for who she really was.
I think this book also did a great job covering the academic field without being boring or confusing. I actually hated how her book Love on the Brain, I felt stupid at times reading it because I didn't understand the science parts. But I didn't feel this way with this book and although physics is a big part of it, it was interchangeable with most academic programs. I think many people can relate to being stuck in a field they love, and just because you love the profession, doesn't mean you have to love your current role in your field.
Hazelwood really has made herself a staple in the romance genre with this third full length novel. I'd be more than thrilled to read every single book she has planned, reading her books are such a treat for the brain.
I received a finished copy in advance of release date from the publisher. This did not affect my opinions when reading this book or writing my review. ...more
Book 2 of A Rip Through Times series, you must read the first book in order to understand this one.
Mallory, a modern day woman cop trapped in the bodyBook 2 of A Rip Through Times series, you must read the first book in order to understand this one.
Mallory, a modern day woman cop trapped in the body of a 19 year old Scottish Victorian girl in 1869. Her employer and friend Dr. Duncan Gray is aware of who Mallory really is, and while she there she serves as his assistant. When a series of murders occurs via poisoning, Mallory and Duncan find the case hits closer to home than either one realized.
Kelley Armstrong is one of my all time favorite authors and this series just reminds me of why. We get a time travel mystery that is set in Victorian times but with modern eyes. There's a hint of romance, but Armstrong notably is a slow burn writer as her books focus more on the mysteries abound instead.
I liked how in this book we were able to focus more on Mallory's police work instead of her having to hide who she truly was. At some point side characters were also calling her Mallory instead of Katrina (sorry if that is spelled wrong, I listen to the audio version) and I wondered if I missed a big reveal? I even rewound it to be sure I didn't hear wrong.
I think one of my favorite things Armstrong does with this series is tackle topics such as racism, Sapphic romance, transgender community, and more in a Victorian era. I loved that Mallory as a more modern woman was able to recognize things in a way people of the time might not have and was able to address everyone with kindness and respect. All of these topics existed back then as well as today and I enjoyed those elements being incorporated into the book.
My one regret is reading these books as they were released and now I have to wait probably another year for the next book. But I am sure it will be worth it as I have already grown to love these characters.
ALC provided by Libro.fm as a part of their Librarian ALC program ...more
Well Traveled is about Lulu, who while at the Ren Faire, quits her high powered soul sucking job in a blaze of glory. Faced with an uncertain 4 stars
Well Traveled is about Lulu, who while at the Ren Faire, quits her high powered soul sucking job in a blaze of glory. Faced with an uncertain future, she teams up with The Dueling Kilts to travel the circuit for a couple of weeks. Lulu gets along great with the band and Stacy, but Dex the casanova type guitarist and flirt may be her biggest temptation.
I really enjoyed this installment of the Well Met series, probably more than books 2 and 3. This one followed with the finding yourself theme in the series and Lulu had a lot of work to do to get back to who she really was in life. I thought the romance with Dex was slightly lacking... it didn't feel well developed to me by the end to truly be love. But I enjoyed the banter between the two of them. But mostly, Lulu's journey was the best part of this book. I might even look into learning tarot because of it!
I received an advanced listening copy via the librarian alc program at libro.fm ...more
Probably my least favorite book in the series so far. Finlay and Vero find themselves at like a cop boot camp with their neighbors (is that a 4 stars
Probably my least favorite book in the series so far. Finlay and Vero find themselves at like a cop boot camp with their neighbors (is that a thing in real life?) where they are there to find out the real identity of Easy Clean (I listened to the audio not sure if I spelled that correctly). Finlay finds herself distracted by Felicks the mob boss, the antics of her children and her ex, and the hot cop Nick.
Sadly, of the love triangle set up in book one, Finlay seems to be choosing Nick and it honestly is taking away from my overall enjoyment of the book. Aside from his career choice, there’s also just something off about his character that I don’t like. The antics of Finlay’s children and her banter with Vero are what saved this book and series for me. I for sure will read whatever comes next, but this third book wasn’t as good as the first two (but it was still darn good!).
I was given an arc by the publisher, but I never read it and then checked out the e-audio from the library instead. Not sure if that counts but I wanted to include that haha ...more
Gabe and Pippa’s dream home is a cottage on the cliffs in a small coastal town. Except the tall cliffs are a popular spot for people seeking 4 stars
Gabe and Pippa’s dream home is a cottage on the cliffs in a small coastal town. Except the tall cliffs are a popular spot for people seeking to end their lives. Normally, Gabe can talk them out of it. Until one night, he isn’t able to. When Pippa discovers Gabe knew this victim, she begins to question everything.
Sally Hepworth is quickly becoming one of my favorite thriller writers; this is the third book I’ve read by her and all of them were great. Her books are more a domestic thriller, mind games more than a murder mystery kind of thriller. But I like how I can never quite figure everything out before hand and she does a really good job at painting a picture of the characters and locations.
I will say I thought it was ridiculous that this couple would stay in a home even after one person tried to jump. But there was also a lot of stuff that Gabe did that made me wonder the mental stability of Pippa. It’s an intriguing book because even though it all seems over the top when you say it out loud, it kind of makes sense when you’re reading it. I’m excited for the next book Sally Hepworth has for us, she is an auto-read author for me now.
ALC provided by libro fm as a part of their librarian ALC program ...more
Bradley and Celine used to be best friends when they were younger, but after a fight they became total strangers. Now, in high school, the two of themBradley and Celine used to be best friends when they were younger, but after a fight they became total strangers. Now, in high school, the two of them are competing in an outdoor course with the prize being a scholarship. Despite hating each other, they need to work together and trust each other so they can both get what they want.
After loving books 1 and 3 of the Brown sisters series, I was really excited to read this book. To my surprise, it just kind of got worse the longer I listened to it. It started off not great with annoying characters, and then got better when the two main characters grew together. But then the end was convoluted and just, well, bad. It made me sad because I think I should have given up on the book earlier and not just continued on. I love Talia Hibbert's books, usually. This one just seemed to be a miss for me....more
This is one of those books where when I was reading it, I enjoyed it. But when I would think about it after, I noticed a bunch of things I 3.5 stars
This is one of those books where when I was reading it, I enjoyed it. But when I would think about it after, I noticed a bunch of things I didn’t like or didn’t make sense.
I thought Astrid was such an intriguing character in the first book Delilah Green, so I was excited to read this one. But after I finished reading, other than a bad mother and some anxiety we really didn’t learn much about her. And the same with Jordan other than a terrible ex-wife, we didn’t really get to know Jordan either. And the romance was seriously lacking, it was tension and then suddenly together. It didn’t develop well for me. And the whole tv show plot was just so random and didn't fit well with the book as a whole. I honestly would forget about it until it was brought up.
I will say the book kept my attention the whole time and I enjoyed it while I was reading it. But like I said, it’s one of those books where when you sit down and really analyze this book there were a lot of issues.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review ...more
An odd romance, but a very cute one. Astra, a librarian recovering from an awful divorce, loves to visit the Christmas market in the city e 3.5 stars
An odd romance, but a very cute one. Astra, a librarian recovering from an awful divorce, loves to visit the Christmas market in the city every year. And every year Jack is there at the bakery waiting for Astra to visit, the problem is she never remembers him (because of Christmas magic). But this might be the year she finally does, and Jack will get the chance at the woman of his dreams.
I enjoyed this romance, it was very cute. I’m not huge on the holiday romance trope but wanted to give this book a chance. It’s one of the few times I’ve read a librarian in a romance book where the author didn’t get the entire profession completely wrong and that was to refreshing to read. And the romance between Jack and Astra was unique and fun, I just felt it dragged on a bit too long and could have been a little bit shorter. There were some last minute dramatics I didn’t care for and I think the book would have been perfect without them.
An arc was provided by the publisher via Netgalley ...more
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