All's Fair in Love And War is the first book in a new Regency romance series by Virginia Heath, Miss Prentice's Protegees. Henry Kincaid, a b3.5 stars
All's Fair in Love And War is the first book in a new Regency romance series by Virginia Heath, Miss Prentice's Protegees. Henry Kincaid, a bachelor and a Royal Navy captain, finds himself in charge of three unruly children, his nieces and a nephew. Since he doesn't know how to manage the children, he seeks a governess's help. As one of Miss Prentice's protegees, Georgina Rowe comes highly recommended. But she is too spirited and the polar opposite of buttoned-up Henry. They disagree on almost everything, but Henry has no choice but to hire her.
All's Fair In Love And War is a charming historical romance. Henry and Georgina have great chemistry and an entertaining banter. Their sweet slow-burn romance unfolds as they spend more time together and learn about each other. There are several interesting secondary characters, including children whose antics provide a lot of entertainment. The book has many sailor jokes and puns that made me chuckle. I found the pacing a little slow and repetitive at times, but I enjoyed the story overall.
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I started to follow Illia Ponomarenko, a Ukrainian journalist, on social media right after the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion of UkraineI started to follow Illia Ponomarenko, a Ukrainian journalist, on social media right after the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022. Since then, he has been a reliable news source about the war. So, of course, I had to read his memoir about the battle of Kyiv, I Will Show You How It Was.
The memoir has two distinct parts. The first part is months and weeks leading up to the invasion, where Poomarenko describes people's mood, the government's actions, and preparations before the war. He also gives an important historical context to Ukrainian identity and Russian imperialism. The second part of the book describes the battle of Kyiv. How so many Ukrainian soldiers and ordinary people rose to defend their country when the Russian horde invaded. The Russian government and Western policymakers believed Kyiv would fall in less than a week. And yet, Ukrainian people proved everyone wrong. This part of the book was hard to read because it describes the brutality of the Russian army and the devastation that they brought to Ukrainian soil.
I highlighted many passages and quotes while reading the book. I found the writing compelling and engaging. Despite the heavy subject matter, the book is peppered with jokes and dark/gallows humor, which Ukrainians have become known for. I Will Show You How It Was is a must-read for people who want to learn more about Ukraine and the unjust and brutal war that Putin/Russia unleashed on the Ukrainian people. I highly recommend it.
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The Last Note of Warning is the third book in a Prohibition-era murder mystery series. By day, Vivian Kelly works as a shop delivery girl, and by nighThe Last Note of Warning is the third book in a Prohibition-era murder mystery series. By day, Vivian Kelly works as a shop delivery girl, and by night, she works in a fashionable speakeasy, the Nightingale, where the booze flows freely, dancing lasts all night, and people don't have to hide their true selves. In the first two books, Vivian helped to solve two murders connected to the Nightingale. In the Last Note of Warning, Vivian becomes the main suspect in the murder of a wealthy man. She only has one week to find the true killer before she is arrested for a crime she didn't commit.
I have to admit I struggled with this book a little. I didn't love it as much as previous books. Even though the stakes were higher, with Vivian being the suspect, the story was not grabbing my attention. Maybe I was just not in the right mood for a murder mystery. I thought the mystery was compelling, but the pacing was slow. I also was left unimpressed with the romance. Vivian has two love interests, and I found both lacking. I did appreciate queer representation. I would recommend The Note of Warning to readers who enjoyed previous books or those looking for a queer historical mystery/fiction.
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Savor It started very strong and fizzled out as the book progressed. The beginning was promising, but I found the rest of the book boring. Nothing intSavor It started very strong and fizzled out as the book progressed. The beginning was promising, but I found the rest of the book boring. Nothing interesting was happening, and everything was underwhelming. The romance, the foodie aspect, Fisher's relationship with his niece, and the small-town atmosphere were all underwhelming. Even Sage's menagerie of animals did not provide much entertainment. I started skimming the pages toward the end. I believe many readers will enjoy this book, but that was not the case for me.
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Workplace romance Rivals-to-lovers Angsty slow-burn Found family NYC setting
I fell in love with Julie Soto's writing when I read Forget Me Not last year.Workplace romance Rivals-to-lovers Angsty slow-burn Found family NYC setting
I fell in love with Julie Soto's writing when I read Forget Me Not last year. I was very excited about her new book, Not Another Love Song. In this book, two rival musicians, Xander Thorn and Gwen Jackson, compete for the coveted role of the First Chair of an orchestra while battling their chemistry and growing feelings for each other. I loved Xander and Gwen's slow-burn, rivals-to-lovers romance. They have a sizzling chemistry, the book is steamy, with one particular scene involving a cello is super hot.
However, Not Another Love Song is not just a steamy romance, the book touches on some heavy topics, and Gwen and Xander's relationship has a lot of depth. I loved Gwen's relationship with her music mentor, Mabel, and her best friend, Jacob. And I was excited about the guest appearances by Ama and Elliot, the couple from Forget Me Not.
Not Another Love Song is one of my favorite reads of 2024, and I cannot wait to read another book by Julie Soto.
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Childhoods friends Rivals-to-lovers Design competition Opposites attract Cinnamon roll hero
It Takes a Rake is the third book in the Rogues to Lovers serieChildhoods friends Rivals-to-lovers Design competition Opposites attract Cinnamon roll hero
It Takes a Rake is the third book in the Rogues to Lovers series, but the story stands alone. Kitty Beckett and Leo Lockland grew up in the same town, and both were apprentices in Leo's grandfather's architecture business until Leo broke Kitty's trust by abruptly moving to London to pursue his career without even a goodbye or an explanation. Now, Leo is back in town, and both Kitty and Leo plan to compete in designing a new building for their seaside town.
Kitty and Leo have lots of chemistry. I thoroughly enjoyed their relationship and their sexy banter. I appreciated both characters being from a working/middle class, even though Kitty is an heiress. The seaside town, with its inhabitants, provided a fun backdrop for Kitty and Leo's romance. I highly recommend It Takes a Rake to historical romance readers looking for something a little different. ...more
Roommates to lovers Fake dating Opposites attract Cinnamon roll hero Childhood neglect/trauma
When Daphne's fiance, Peter, dumps her3.5 stars rounded to 4
Roommates to lovers Fake dating Opposites attract Cinnamon roll hero Childhood neglect/trauma
When Daphne's fiance, Peter, dumps her for his childhood friend, Daphne, now homeless, moves in with Miles, the ex-boyfriend of the woman Peter dumped Daphne for. And when Daphne and Miles recieve an invitation to their exes', Peter and Petra's, wedding, they decide to RSVP as a couple and pretend they are dating.
Funny Story was one of my most anticipated spring reads. I liked both Daphne and Miles and enjoyed their angsty romance. Both Miles and Daphne have childhood trauma they need to overcome to have a healthy relationship. There is a bit of miscommunication and a third-act break-up, which I didn't love, but overall, I enjoyed Funny Story. This book is not my favorite book by Emily Henry. This honor is reserved for Beach Read, but Funny Story is still an enjoyable rom-com/contemporary romance.
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A fake medium A grumpy farmer A ghost Baby goats Saving family business
Gretchen Acorn is a con woman who pretends to be a medium able to communicate with A fake medium A grumpy farmer A ghost Baby goats Saving family business
Gretchen Acorn is a con woman who pretends to be a medium able to communicate with the deceased. When one of her best and wealthiest clients asks Gretchen to help her friend and goat farmer Charlie Waybill investigate possible paranormal activity on the farm that prevents the sale of the farm, she is happy to say yes. But Charlie doesn't want Cretchen's help because he sees her for a fraud she is. Regardless, he agrees for Gretchen to stay on the farm in exchange for her help around the said farm. To Gretchen's surprise, there is an actual resident ghost, Everett, whom she can see and communicate with. There is also a good reason why Everett is trying to jeopardize the sale of the farm.
Happy Medium is a sweet, slow-burn romance with lots of humor and a dash of angst. I enjoyed how Gretchen and Charlie's relationship progressed from mistrust on Charlie's part to friendship and then romance. But for me, Everett stole the show. He was the best and the funniest character. I haven't read Sarah Adler's previous book, Mr. Nash's Ashes, but after reading Happy Medium, I will be adding it to my TBR.
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In the Hour of Crows is a Southern gothic tale set in the Appalachian region known for mysticism and folk tales. Weatherly is a Death Talker who can tIn the Hour of Crows is a Southern gothic tale set in the Appalachian region known for mysticism and folk tales. Weatherly is a Death Talker who can talk death out of a person, her grandmother is a town witch, and her cousin Adair is a Scryer who can see visions of the future. When Adair dies in a car/bike accident, Weatherly starts to suspect that her cousin was murdered because she discovered a dangerous secret in one of her visions. She decides to investigate Adair's death with the help of her friends.
I love spooky books and gothic mysteries, so I enjoyed the premise very much. The author did a good job delivering on dark and atmospheric feels. I struggled a little with the whimsical writing style, especially in the beginning. I had a hard time understanding what was happening at first. I thought the narration had a dreamy quality to it when things are fuzzy, and you don't quite grasp everything. It only added to the eerie vibes. I did enjoy the murder investigation and how the mystery was solved. The ending was very satisfying. Even though I struggled with the beginning of the book, I ended up enjoying it in the end. If you are a seasonal reader, In the Hour of Crows is a perfect book for the Fall/Halloween season.
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Jewish rep Age gap romance Mature successful heroine Single parents Workplace romance
Pulling Her Resources is a low angst/high-steam romance set in Tel AvJewish rep Age gap romance Mature successful heroine Single parents Workplace romance
Pulling Her Resources is a low angst/high-steam romance set in Tel Aviv, one of my favorite cities. I was excited to read this book because it has many tropes I usually enjoy. I liked both MCs, Dafna and Erez, and how their relationship progressed. Both were mature emotionally. They communicated well when problems arose and made the right decisions for the most part. The main conflict centered around office/work ethics. It was very nice to read a low-angst romance for a change.
Pulling My Resources is a quick read. The short chapters kept my attention on the story. Also, I enjoyed the Tel Aviv setting very much. I am very familiar with the city, so it was exciting to recognize the streets and landmarks and imagine Erez and Dafna's romance unfolding.
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According to Ali Hazelwood, Not In Love differs from her other books. On the one hand, the themes addressed in Not In Love are darker (child 3.5 stars
According to Ali Hazelwood, Not In Love differs from her other books. On the one hand, the themes addressed in Not In Love are darker (child neglect, grief, and food insecurity), and on the other hand, the book is more of an erotic romance than a rom-com. I liked both characters, Eli a little more than Rue, and I loved reading from both their POVs. However, I struggled getting into the book at first. I found the second half of the book more enjoyable. I liked the premise, but I didn't love all the sex scenes, even as someone who usually likes steamy romances. Overall, I enjoyed Rue and Eli's love story but didn't love it as much as the author's other books.
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*Jewish rep *WW2/Warsaw Ghetto Uprising *Survival against all odds *Forbidden Love *Multiple timelines *Femme Fatale *Revenge
The Goddess of Warsaw is an ex*Jewish rep *WW2/Warsaw Ghetto Uprising *Survival against all odds *Forbidden Love *Multiple timelines *Femme Fatale *Revenge
The Goddess of Warsaw is an exceptional historical fiction about one of the most horrifying events in recent history that many people are forgetting already or, even worse, denying. It's a poignant and compelling story of survival, featuring an incredible and complex heroine who had to make impossible choices to keep her loved ones and herself alive. And after surviving the Holocaust, she continued making dangerous choices to enact revenge on those who tormented and killed her people.
The Goddess of Warsaw was a difficult read at times. Seeing the parallels between Europe of 1930-1940s and the present time, with the explosion of anti-semitism and the dehumanization of the Jewish people that is so rampant right now, caused me considerable distress. (Lisa Barr also addresses these parallels in her author's note). Regardless, or maybe because of that, The Goddess of Warsaw is a must-read for historical fiction fans. I am glad I had a chance to read this book. It's going straight on my "favorites" shelf.
I will leave you with my favorite quote: "Survival is about secrets, about extraordinary measures taken to stay alive. If you survived, it means others did not. The trauma of a second chance at life, a second act, is at once miraculous and unendurable."
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One Last Shot is everything I love in an epic love story: yearning, angst, second-chance romance (my favorite trope), breathtaking locale (Italy), andOne Last Shot is everything I love in an epic love story: yearning, angst, second-chance romance (my favorite trope), breathtaking locale (Italy), and, most importantly, a swoon-worthy love interest. Once I started reading the book, I was engrossed and didn't want to put it down. If I had to change one thing about the story, it would be easing off on the lack of communication between Emerson and Theo. Otherwise, the romance is pretty perfect! I cannot wait to read more books from Betty Cayouette. I hope she has more love stories up her sleeve.
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A Wedding in Lake Como was a different story from what I expected it to be. I expected most of the story to take place in Italy, but most of it is setA Wedding in Lake Como was a different story from what I expected it to be. I expected most of the story to take place in Italy, but most of it is set in NYC in the past, not in Lake Como, and not in the present. Only about the last third of the book is set in the present. It made the balance between the flashbacks to the past and the present uneven.
The main theme is toxic female friendship, which is not my favorite. If I knew it was the case I probably would not have picked the book up. I liked the writing style, so I was interested enough to continue reading, but because the story didn't match my expectations, I didn't love it. I also think that the blurb and the cover are a little misleading I believe many readers will enjoy A Wedding in Lake Como, but it was not the right book for me.
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Under Your Spell is a tender and sexy contemporary romance between a musician and the daughter of a rock star who has sworn off dating musici4.5 stars
Under Your Spell is a tender and sexy contemporary romance between a musician and the daughter of a rock star who has sworn off dating musicians. I enjoyed this book immensely. I loved Clemmie and Theo's romantic relationship. Theo was such a sweet cinnamon roll! But even more than their love story, I loved Clemmie's relationship with her sisters and their unconventional (found family). Under Your Spell is a perfect summer read. I highly recommend it!
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The Love Remedy is a historical romance featuring a woman scientist, Lucy, who runs an apothecary, and Thorn, a man she hires to investigate a theft oThe Love Remedy is a historical romance featuring a woman scientist, Lucy, who runs an apothecary, and Thorn, a man she hires to investigate a theft of her medicinal formulas. I appreciated the feminist themes the author touched on, especially women's health and the right to choose. I liked Lucy's character a lot, but I didn't love Thorn's. I found him to be too judgemental and buttoned-up. I adored Thorn's daughter, Sadie. The romance between Lucy and Thorn was just ok. I wanted more chemistry from them. I recommend The Love Remedy to readers who enjoy historical romance coupled with mystery.
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In Better Left Insent, the main heroine, Millie, discovers that all her draft e-mails, where she vents about other people but doesn't intend 3.5 stars
In Better Left Insent, the main heroine, Millie, discovers that all her draft e-mails, where she vents about other people but doesn't intend to send, get sent out without her knowledge in an apparent system glitch. It causes her many problems and embarrassment with her co-workers, family, and friends.
I enjoyed the premise of the book. The story has a little bit of romance, a coming of age, family dynamics, and friendship drama. I loved the chemistry between Millie and Jack and their office romance. I liked Millie's relationship with her friends. Millie is a hot-mess heroine, which I found irritating occasionally, but I appreciated her character growth throughout the book. Overall, I enjoyed Better Left Unsent but didn't love it as much as Dear Emmie Blue.
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