This series is so fun and bingeable. I loved that Julian and Bree made appearances in this story as well. Spencer was so naughty and funny so naturallThis series is so fun and bingeable. I loved that Julian and Bree made appearances in this story as well. Spencer was so naughty and funny so naturally really liked him. I despise the dreaded miscommunication trope and was so relieved these two could actually talk through their issues. 4 spicy stars....more
This "Twisted" smut train has come to an end. Christian Harper is a morally gray character I shouldn't have liked but I did. He was actually my favoriThis "Twisted" smut train has come to an end. Christian Harper is a morally gray character I shouldn't have liked but I did. He was actually my favorite MMC in this series with Rhys a close second. I definitely didn't choose these for the literary writing skills, it was pure guilty pleasure and I'm ok with that. Ana Huang's books are formulaic which isn't my preference but at least I knew what to expect. Sometimes I need a break from the standard genres I typically read, so this was a nice and entertaining distraction. While this book is long, it was much more a slow burn and didn't drag for me like book #3 did. 3.5 stars rounded up because it was my favorite of the series....more
My least favorite so far but I’m going to continue on with this smut train since there is only one book left. One thing is for sure, Ana Huang’s MMCs My least favorite so far but I’m going to continue on with this smut train since there is only one book left. One thing is for sure, Ana Huang’s MMCs are all possessive, jealous, controlling, and they growl A LOT. ...more
“I realized then that not only did Dad need us to believe his stories, we needed to believe them as well. To believe in unripe stars and eagles able t“I realized then that not only did Dad need us to believe his stories, we needed to believe them as well. To believe in unripe stars and eagles able to do extraordinary things. What it boiled down to was a frenzied hope that there was more to life than the reality around us. Only then could we claim a destiny we did not feel cursed to.” ― Tiffany McDaniel, Betty
Inspired by the life of Tiffany McDaniel's mother, Betty is the coming of age story of Betty Carpenter, born in 1954 to a Cherokee father and white mother, raised in in the foothills of the Appalachians. My heart broke for Betty and all she endured and for all the secrets she was burdened with at such a young age.
Wow! I am completely gutted after reading this beautifully written story. A few of the chapters wrecked me and had me in tears, but I love when a book can make me feel this much. Tiffany McDaniel's writing is raw and powerful evoking so much emotion. She gives her character's such depth they truly come alive. I loved Betty and almost all of her family, but her father was my absolute favorite. Landon Carpenter will be one of those characters that stays with me long after finishing this book.
“But in life, you either live in someone else’s house or you build your own. A man with hands like my father’s was a man who had built his home out of star and sky. He had held on to the throb of life and abandoned comforts. You can’t do that sort of thing and not expect your hands to get dirty. That’s how you know you’re doing it right.” ― Tiffany McDaniel
This book is not a light read by any means and was actually hard to read at times. It is raw, heartbreaking, bleak, dark, and yet still beautiful with glimpses of hope.
I alternated between reading this on my Kindle and listening to the audiobook which was expertly narrated by Dale Dickey. She was able to give each character their own voice and to read the book with the perfect amount of emotion. Her narration was truly perfection and one of the best I have ever listened to. Without a doubt, this book will be in my top 10 reads for 2024. 5 heartbreaking stars....more
This short story told in an interview format was quite good. It spans 35 years, starting when Sam and Miles meet at the age of five. It tells their stThis short story told in an interview format was quite good. It spans 35 years, starting when Sam and Miles meet at the age of five. It tells their story through love and friendship with something always keeping them from being together every five years. The narrators were brilliant and made this feel like I was listening to an actual interview. 5 stars for narration, 4 stars overall. ...more
Popcorn thriller that reads like a domestic drama. I really wish GR would allow us to give 1/2 star ratings. 3.5 stars rounded down because I'm a terrPopcorn thriller that reads like a domestic drama. I really wish GR would allow us to give 1/2 star ratings. 3.5 stars rounded down because I'm a terrible detective and was able to figure this one out pretty quickly. ...more
The illegitimate child of a Japanese aristocrat and her African American GI lover, Nori struggles to feel accepted in post-WWII Kyoto. At the age of 8The illegitimate child of a Japanese aristocrat and her African American GI lover, Nori struggles to feel accepted in post-WWII Kyoto. At the age of 8, she is abandoned by her mother and left with her grandparents with only the advice not to question, not to fight and not to resist. They keep her in an attic and make her endure daily chemical baths to lighten her skin which they find shameful. She lives a life of solitude until her legitimate half brother, Akira, arrives at the estate which he is set to inherit one day. He and Nori develop a deep bond much to the dismay of her horrible grandparents. He allows her to ask questions and shows her kindness and love.
While I enjoyed the story overall, there were a few things that dropped my rating significantly. Many of the characters felt like stereotypes and could have used a little more depth. Nori endured so much tragedy throughout this story to the point that it was too much for one person to experience to make it even somewhat believable. But my biggest gripe is the ending. This book had SO much potential, but the ending completely ruined it for me. If I had been reading a physical copy of the book, I would have thrown it across the room. That’s how much I hated the last few chapters of the book. Despite my complaints, it was a good debut novel and I would like to read Asha Lemmie’s next book to see how she matures as a writer. 3 stars. ...more
Titus Crowne is the first Black sheriff in the history of Charon County, Virginia which is no small feat in this small town. A year after taking officTitus Crowne is the first Black sheriff in the history of Charon County, Virginia which is no small feat in this small town. A year after taking office, he is called to a school shooting at the local high school where a beloved teacher is shot and killed by a former student. The student is then shot and killed by Titus's deputies in front of many witnesses, but perception varies from person to person even though they all witnessed the same thing. Titus was an FBI agent prior to moving back to Charon County. As he starts to investigate the shootings, many dark secrets are uncovered and Titus has to put his FBI training to use as he tries to catch a serial killer. As the story unfolds, we are given bits and pieces as to why he is no longer with the FBI.
All the Sinners Bleed is a Southern noir police procedural. This is a genre that Cosby has mastered. His storytelling is dark and gritty and not for the faint of heart as it can be quite graphic at times. Despite all of the darkness in the story, I really enjoyed Titus's relationship with his father which showed a softer side to him. Titus is a great character, very likable and easy to root for. My only major critique is the excessive use of purple prose which felt out of sync with the darkness of the story itself. Though this was my least favorite of his books I've read so far, it kept me engaged trying to figure out who the killer was and I enjoyed it overall. 3.5 stars rounded up. ...more
Summer After Summer by Lauren Bailey is a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Olivia Taylor leaves her soon-to-be ex husband in NYC and headSummer After Summer by Lauren Bailey is a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Olivia Taylor leaves her soon-to-be ex husband in NYC and heads to the Hamptons to help her father and sisters pack up their family estate. After many years of financial trouble, someone has finally purchased their sprawling beachfront property for an amount the family could not pass up. Packing up the estate will not be an easy task, it is the house they grew up in, the house their mother died in, and it holds a lifetime of memories including the time spent with her first love, Fred. Olivia doesn’t have the best relationship with her father and she and her sisters are not close, so naturally there is some family drama sprinkled in as well. It isn’t until she arrives back in the Hamptons that she finds out that Fred is the one who purchased the house. It has been 20 years since Olivia first met Fred on the beach and five years since their last interaction, which did not end well, but perhaps the fifth time’s the charm for them.
Fred and Olivia end up crossing paths every five years and through flashbacks to 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018, the reader gets to experience all of their missed opportunities over the years. The chemistry between the MCs was evident as was their angst every time things didn’t work out. This book has a lovely cover, the possibility of a second chance romance, a very likable MMC, and takes place in a quaint beachside town, things that I enjoy in a summer read, but for me there were a few things that kept me from rating it higher. First of all Olivia, the FMC, came across as very immature and even petty at times. I would expect that in her teen years, but not as 36 year old woman. I understand her career as a tennis pro played a role in everything, but the very detailed tennis scenes felt like excess and not necessary to move the narrative forward. Lastly, the repetitive lack of communication between Olivia and Fred and self-sabotage was aggravating, but this is a personal issue since I find those to be one of my least favorite things when it comes to failed romances.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Megan Tusing, who skillfully portrayed a wide range of characters, making it effortless to distinguish between them, even as they aged. While her narration was generally excellent, there were moments when the narration felt excessively dramatic, which was disproportionate to the events in the story at the time. However, despite these minor critiques, the book has strong writing and an overall enjoyable narrative. I was emotionally invested in Olivia and Fred’s journey and was hoping for a happy ending for them. Overall, this was a solid debut novel and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick beach read. 3.5 stars ...more
Amos Darby, a tenant farmer’s son, and Charlotte Terrington, an earl’s daughter, strike up an unlikely friendship as children, one that they must keepAmos Darby, a tenant farmer’s son, and Charlotte Terrington, an earl’s daughter, strike up an unlikely friendship as children, one that they must keep secret. Both of them share a passion for books and dream of opening a bookstore together. However, due to the circumstances of their lives, they find themselves as owners of rivaling bookshops across the street from one another.
Charlotte ends up betrothed to the future Earl of Harcourt, facing a marriage devoid of true love, while Amos enlists to serve in the Great War. As the narrative progresses, we discover Charlotte’s journey a war widow, tasked with raising her daughter, Eden, single-handedly while dividing her time between her bookshop and trying to help her daughter save her late husband’s declining estate. Amos returns from WWI bearing both physical and emotional wounds, withdrawing into his quaint bookshop and becoming somewhat of a recluse. Gradually, the reasons behind Amos and Charlotte’s rivalry come to light.
With each historical fiction book I read, I learn a little more about a different part of history. The British Booksellers was inspired by real accounts of the Forgotten Blitz bombings. It spans 1908 - 1948 and both World Wars with the primary timelines occurring in 1915 and 1940. It tells the story of the Coventry Blitz of WWII, a series of bombing raids which devastated the English countryside, irrevocably changing the lives of the civilians that lived in Coventry. The author did a great job of showing the long-lasting effects of war both on those that served and the civilians. While I loved the story itself and the characters, what shined throughout was the way the people of Coventry united to help each other through this turbulent period of time. Be sure to read the author's note which provides even more interesting information.
I enjoyed the audiobook, skillfully narrated by Barrie Kreinik. Her ability to portray various genders was impressive, making it easy to distinguish between the voices of different characters. 4 stars ...more
Although Goodreads lists this as book #1 in the Mad Women Series, it was actually published after "The Widow of Weeping Pines"which makes it the 2nd bAlthough Goodreads lists this as book #1 in the Mad Women Series, it was actually published after "The Widow of Weeping Pines"which makes it the 2nd book. Luckily I don't think they particularly need to be read in order.
Julia Klein is trying to pick up the pieces of her life after stabbing her abusive husband Daniel to death in self defense. She relocates to their remote cabin in the mountains. Strange things start to happen after her brother-in-law, Logan, shows up unannounced on her doorstep. He happens to be a former police officer who believes that someone else was involved in his brother's death.
Bravo, Amanda McKinney! This book was so much fun. Fantastic writing, an interesting story, and short chapters made it impossible to stop reading/listening. While I love shorter books, this one would have benefitted from being a bit longer. This is a short listen/read at 2 hours and 21 minutes at 1.5 speed, kindle version is just under 200 pages. I already have "The Widow of Weeping Pines" queued up to go after really enjoying this one so much. ...more
Part of the "Never Tell Collection" on Kindle Unlimited.
Gothic atmospheric location ✅ Creepy characters ✅
While it worked as a short story, I think iPart of the "Never Tell Collection" on Kindle Unlimited.
Gothic atmospheric location ✅ Creepy characters ✅
While it worked as a short story, I think it would have worked better as a full length novel since the characters and the story overall had the depth to be explored with more detail. A quick short story with a satisfying ending. 3.5 stars rounded up....more
After reading and enjoying my first Keri Beevis book, "Nowhere to Hide", I decided to check out some of her previous books starting with this one.
A sAfter reading and enjoying my first Keri Beevis book, "Nowhere to Hide", I decided to check out some of her previous books starting with this one.
A summer of fun turns into a nightmare for a group of friends who become known as the Hixton Five after an event that occurs changing their lives forever. Eileen Wickham is sentenced to prison for her crimes, but 20 years later after her release, Rosie and Hannah (two of the Hixton Five) are approached by a journalist who wants to write a book about Eileen Wickham. The timing couldn't be worse given that strange things have started happening after her release from prison.
"The Sleepover" kept me on my toes trying to figure it all out. You know something bad happened with bits and pieces revealed throughout the story, but not knowing exactly why Eileen Wickham went to jail until later in the book made it more interesting. This is a dark and disturbing story with an ending that surprised me. 3.5 stars rounded up ...more
After her husband Robert’s passing, Althea Deming discovers that he left his estate to her stepson Hal, under the condition that they allow her to resAfter her husband Robert’s passing, Althea Deming discovers that he left his estate to her stepson Hal, under the condition that they allow her to reside with them in the inherited house. Despite Hal, Grace and their daughter Shyla selling their previous home and business to accommodate Althea, who had a mother-in-law suite added during the house’s renovation, she remains dissatisfied with her new living situation, felling confined to a small portion of the house that once belonged to her. Once Althea moves in with them, tension begins to escalate. While the rest of the household holds Althea in high regard, Grace harbors suspicions about her trustworthiness.
While initially drawn in by the appealing cover, intriguing title, and promising premise, I ultimately found this book to be disappointing and considered DNF, but curiosity got the best of me and I wanted to see how it all panned out. It fell short in delivering the suspense I was hoping for and veered into unbelievability and was extremely over the top which I personally don’t enjoy. Additionally, none of the characters resonated with me, as they were all highly unlikable and two dimensional. The opening scene in Chapter 1 caught my interest, and I kept waiting to see how it would tie into the story, but was sadly let down by its significance when it was finally revealed.
Although Maternal Instinct by Becky Mastermind is listed under Mystery & Thrillers, I would classify it as more of a domestic drama with a splash of suspense. The audiobook was narrated by Gail Shalan who did a great job giving voices to the different characters making it easy to differentiate them.
While there are many 4 and even some 5 star reviews for this book, it just wasn’t a good match for me. 2 stars...more
Nancy (playing catch-up)
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