That was surprisingly good! I went into this not expecting a lot but it turned out to be an enjoyable read. Imagine The Bachelor with a Survivor formaThat was surprisingly good! I went into this not expecting a lot but it turned out to be an enjoyable read. Imagine The Bachelor with a Survivor format set in a Fae realm and you’ve pretty much landed it. The book definitely grew on me and started to build momentum once the games in the Trial began.
The FMC is tough and scrappy, surviving situations that stretch believability on her quest to save her family and understand her destiny. The MMCs are big, strong, striking and broody. There isn’t a whole lot that is new here but it was a lot of fun to read. I always struggle when modern items are placed in fantasy realms - like coffee and hairspray - but I didn’t even mind those dabbled in here. It’s a good time and I’ve already moved on to the next book in the series. ...more
That was disappointing. Was looking for a fun read and Meghan Quinn books are usually a sure thing. This was a miss. It got better half way but if it That was disappointing. Was looking for a fun read and Meghan Quinn books are usually a sure thing. This was a miss. It got better half way but if it had been any other author it would have been a DNF. It was very repetitive and often dull, so ended up skimming most of it. I won’t give up on Ms. Quinn but I’ll pass on the rest of this series. ...more
Cute little rom-com. Timely plot drawn around a relationship between a staunch democrat and her republican nemesis. The FMC’s extreme and inflexible pCute little rom-com. Timely plot drawn around a relationship between a staunch democrat and her republican nemesis. The FMC’s extreme and inflexible party-line dedication was annoying through the first half of the book. The MMC was pragmatic and thoughtful so he has the win for a book boyfriend. The book was okay.
Daniel’s more recent book, The Rom-Com was much better and I’d recommend that book over this one. Looks like she’s getting better with each successive book so I’ll look forward to what she delivers next!...more
This was an interesting one. Some of it I really liked, some of it I didn’t so I’ve landed in the middle with three stars. I was leaning hard into 2 sThis was an interesting one. Some of it I really liked, some of it I didn’t so I’ve landed in the middle with three stars. I was leaning hard into 2 stars but the ending rallied and recovered that extra star.
This is very much a story of trauma bonding. Through the whole book I found it difficult to see Helen and Grant as having a connection that wasn’t based on their tragic history. There were so many opportunities to build out their relationship on mutual understanding, growth, recovery and forgiveness that weren’t pursued. Would have played out better that way, I believe.
I spent all of the middle of the book questioning this couple. Poor Grant, the one who was forgotten in the whole terrible tragedy and who wears his heart on his sleeve. And, Helen who I just found to be very unlikable in all of her presentations - past and present. She was cold, unfeeling and regularly cruel to Grant to the point that I started hoping the book would end with him moving on with someone else.
The ending did pull it all back together in a rushed transition, just like the spontaneous shift in feelings Helen has at the beginning of the book. The ending made things better but didn’t compensate for a lot of frustration through the middle. Meh. ...more
This book had so much potential that it just never achieved. I expected the story of an Indigenous young girl gone missing from her Mi’kmaq f3.5 stars
This book had so much potential that it just never achieved. I expected the story of an Indigenous young girl gone missing from her Mi’kmaq family to hold intrigue and depth of insight into the native cultures of Maine and Nova Scotia. I got none of that.
We find out almost immediately what becomes of the little girl. The bulk of the book is spent on her growing up in a family wracked with guilt and fear leaving them incapable of open communication or any depth of emotional connection. The lives of her real family members are described in parallel. I felt like I was being told a story in a disconnected way.
I didn’t connect with any of the characters and felt that both Norma and Joe, the two focal characters, weren’t especially likable or engaging. Joe grew as a character and showed depth and range as he grew older. Norma, however, seemed completely two dimensional and uninteresting.
I found it very difficult to believe that an Indigenous woman faced with a multitude of obvious indicators that she did not truly belong with her Caucasian family wouldn’t challenge her origin. Being Mi’kmaq and being told that you look different because your grandfather was Italian was a stretch.
The writing was nice and there were some touching scenes with Joe and his daughter at the end. I would have liked more of beginning and end and less of the middle section of Norma and Joe’s lives which weren’t as interesting. It would have been great to get some glimpses into the Mi’kmaq culture - I thought that was a hugely missed opportunity. Overall, the book was good, but not great and didn’t really impact me. It got better half way....more
This is a cute cozy parody of regency novels. I’m not a big cozy fan so the pace was a little slow for me. There are some funny moments and I could seThis is a cute cozy parody of regency novels. I’m not a big cozy fan so the pace was a little slow for me. There are some funny moments and I could see Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion and Emma clearly being parodied. Maybe a little Northanger Abby and Sense and Sensability, even. Not earth shattering but a pleasant, light, silly and fun read. ...more
I have mixed emotions having read this followup to Divine Rivals. Unfortunately, the strongest emotion I feel is disappointment.
I really enjoyed DiviI have mixed emotions having read this followup to Divine Rivals. Unfortunately, the strongest emotion I feel is disappointment.
I really enjoyed Divine Rivals and was taken by surprise by the unusual premise of Gods living along mortals in what felt like a slightly magical 1930’s London. The main characters, Iris and Roman, were strong individually and even stronger as a pair. In Ruthless Vows, I did have many of my questions about how this unusual world came to be along with the backstory on the Gods and their relationships to each other and the mortal world. That was good! Also, Ross� writing style is very pretty and descriptive so I find that enjoyable.
However, the connection between Iris and Roman was very minimal in this book which was disappointing. Further, Roman’s character - so strong and dependable in Divine Rivals - became so weak and self-doubting in this book that I found him often foolish and cowardly. That’s not the Roman I remember. Iris and Roman spend very little time connected or together at all in this book and that was a takeaway. Also, there were times when I was simply bored. It was great to have such a seamless continuation of the first book but it felt like it lacked in plot depth and curve balls so much that certain sections just dragged.
I’m glad I read it, glad it filled in the world gaps from the first book for me but overall it was just meh compared to the first book. ...more
I’ve seen glowing reviews of this book everywhere and had to dive in to the series. It started a little slow for me but definitely picked up halfway aI’ve seen glowing reviews of this book everywhere and had to dive in to the series. It started a little slow for me but definitely picked up halfway and locked me in. After that, the pace was quick and the story got complicated which kept me engaged. Some aspects of the story seemed convenient or unrealistic but it still came together nicely. I liked the world building and the supporting characters, all of which were well done. The trajectory that the FMC takes in her beliefs and intentions in the story worked well, too. She stayed pretty focused on her initial objectives for quite a while, to the point where I started to dislike her. It was pulled together nicely at the end but finished with a cliffhanger so be prepared with book 2 ready to go!...more
I was not a huge fan of The Dead Romantics - it was okay. The Seven Year Slip is much better. I really enjoyed the time travel theme and th3 1/2 stars
I was not a huge fan of The Dead Romantics - it was okay. The Seven Year Slip is much better. I really enjoyed the time travel theme and the relationship between Clementine and Iwan is very special and touching. They are so sweet together and how their connection moves through time was well done. I just wish more of the book had been about them!
I struggled through the first half of the book as Clementine came to terms with the loss of her aunt and reflected so much on their history. Once I hit the half way mark and the relationship between Clementine and Iwan gained more focus and momentum, I reconnected with the story....more
This is between 4 and 4 1/2 ⭐️! I really enjoyed The Flatshare and The Wake-Up Call is right there with it. Beth O’Leary writes funny, interesting, grThis is between 4 and 4 1/2 ⭐️! I really enjoyed The Flatshare and The Wake-Up Call is right there with it. Beth O’Leary writes funny, interesting, growing characters and storylines. There is always much, much more to each character than meets the eye as they work through personal challenges and growth. I addition, there is no shortages of crazy, fun and charming supporting characters all with stories of their own. I love a book with a great cast!
I was a little unsure of Lucas at first but as his story unfolded and his character was developed, I really enjoyed his idiosyncrasies and self discipline and how it was a nice complement to Izzy’s creative spirit. Nice romance, nice story, fun characters! Two successes with Beth O’Leary so far and I’m lining up the rest of her books. ...more
Well that picked up momentum and got really good really quickly! This was good!
It took me a little while to connect with the story but I think that wWell that picked up momentum and got really good really quickly! This was good!
It took me a little while to connect with the story but I think that was because it jumped fully and rapidly into the world of Folk of the Air and I needed a little time to get caught back up. It’s been a few years since I finished that great series and I had to reconnect.
While not quite as good as FOTA, it’s close and this book certainly brought me back to the magic of that world with some of the familiar characters and some new ones. The world building and character descriptions were so good and the ending is loaded with surprises!
It was great to revisit the FOTA world and now I’m ready for the second book in the series which I suspect and hope will have more than just references to Jude and Cardan. It’s gonna be a year waiting for the release. ...more
So, this book was a lot like the first in the series without as much novelty. The first half of the book didn’t have as much action and interest as thSo, this book was a lot like the first in the series without as much novelty. The first half of the book didn’t have as much action and interest as the second half, just like the first book. There were aspects of the book I liked and aspects that were annoying and frustrating.
I like Casteel. I think his character is appealing and interesting and has depth. I find Poppy to be immature and annoying. She does seem to be settling and maturing in the second half of this book so that’s promising. I like the supporting characters, especially Kieran. They are funny and add to the story. The world building is weak but better than the first book. The descriptions are brief and infrequent so I never get a great feel for the place, especially given the overlaps of ancient (torches, stone walls, dungeons) and modern (electricity, hot running water, showers) that are referenced but never explained or integrated so they just don’t make sense to me. There is also a lot of repetition.
My disappointment with this book was the battle at the end of the book. I won’t give anything away but I thought it wasn’t well done. Anticipating an attack, you’d expect the leader of the people to be focused on strategy and anticipating the event, preparing his warriors, etc., not taking a holiday. Everyone joking and being silly didn’t fit for me at all. There wasn’t any tension and the focus was off. That whole sequence did not work for me and it’s a big part of the story.
The series is okay. I don’t love it, I don’t hate it. The book was probably 100 pages longer than it had to be and could use more aggressive editing. But…I’m going to have to finish the series! I’m weirdly invested and need to see how this all comes together. Poppy improved in the second half of the book and the ending, by design, is a cliffhanger so I’m all in for Book 3!...more
I read a review about this book before I started it that said it felt like a prequel and I believe that is exactly right. This book is like a characteI read a review about this book before I started it that said it felt like a prequel and I believe that is exactly right. This book is like a character introduction and story set up leading to the real book. Which isn’t a bad thing! It just took a little longer than it probably needed.
This is the second book series that I’ve started where I was about to give up and then at the half way point things got more interesting and I got invested. It’s definitely young adult and there are many convenient circumstances that made things a little too easy.
Evangeline, the main character, is still growing on me but I do like her. In moments she has great strength and drive and in others she makes silly mistakes and decisions - I suppose consistent with her 17 years so certainly forgivable. Jacks, the male MC, is definitely the character who is most intriguing since I just don’t know exactly what he’s about. I have not read the Caraval series so I think that’s slowing me down with his backstory. Not sure if that is crucial or not.
The fantasy world, once it came together, is really a good one and the supporting characters are just as interesting as the main ones. I really like LaLa and would like to see more of her and the other Fates.
This book is really a warm-up and the ending is a launch into the main storyline found in the next book. I need to read the next one to see how it all comes together. Overall I like it. I’m not a huge young adult fan but the characters and the world are fun and it’s worth the read!...more
I really did enjoy this book but I didn’t love it. The story is very endearing and my absolute favorite characters, by far, are the two giraffes, Boy I really did enjoy this book but I didn’t love it. The story is very endearing and my absolute favorite characters, by far, are the two giraffes, Boy and Girl, at the center of the story. The book reads like a movie from the 1930’s with rough and tumble leading men with tormented pasts, a damsel in distress and a tough older woman giving direction.
My biggest problem with the book was that I really couldn’t connect with any of the (human) characters in the story. Old Man, an experienced zoo man in charge of getting the giraffes across the country, was the most interesting and likeable for me but I really didn’t particularly like or connect with Woody, the young Dust Bowl survivor hitching a ride and driving the giraffes to San Diego. There are a series of close calls and suspenseful moments that keep the story moving along and everything gets better after the half way mark. I felt for these sweet, poor giraffes being dragged across the country in the back of a truck and tossed all about.
I didn’t have a problem putting it down and was not in a big rush to pick it back up again. The ending is very sweet. It’s a nice book. ...more
So many mixed emotions with this book. This is the second time this year that I’ve launched into reading a book with stellar reviews only to feel disaSo many mixed emotions with this book. This is the second time this year that I’ve launched into reading a book with stellar reviews only to feel disappointed that it wasn’t everything I’d hoped for. This was a good book for me, just not a great one. I think it’s easiest to break this down into what was good and wasn’t so good for me�..
What I Liked…� - Calvin…I thought Calvin was a really well developed character who had so much heart and depth. I really felt how much he loved Elizabeth. - Six Thirty�.best character in the book and he’s a dog. - Harriet and Walter�.again, two wonderfully thought out and presented supporting characters who were funny and deep and enjoyable to read. - The messaging on all the crap that women have to put up with, the unrealistic and burdensome expectations for conformance to the ideals of others, misogyny in all its forms and from all the sources, the lack of recognition and honor given to all that women do to manage everything everyday like rock stars, the double standards, the denial and lack of support when women are accosted, etc. All of that. It’s been said before but Elizabeth’s unique personality and no-nonsense presentation placed all of it front and center without any gloss. Hard to argue with facts. - The ending.
What Missed For Me�. - Elizabeth�.what I love about the amazing women that I know and admire is that they are vivid and vibrant and themselves in every way. That they are smart, capable, strong, brave, dependable but also funny, silly, caring, emotional, colorful. For me, Elizabeth had all of the former characteristics without the latter and she felt flat because of it. I wasn’t sure if she was intended to be neurodivergent but even then this “miss� would still apply. Maybe there was intentional irony because I saw Elizabeth more like a stereotypical male and I didn’t want that. I wanted her to be more. - The chasm between Elizabeth and every other woman. All of the other women, with the exception of the one woman who became a surgeon and Avery Parker, who was very wealthy, were Elizabeth’s opposite. It felt very black and white with not much in between. Again, I missed the vibrancy and uniqueness of women. - The plot sometimes got a bit too far fetched and unbelievable. Also, there were two presentations of rape that, I thought, were handled much too lightly.
Overall, this was a good book with fun supporting characters and a strong message about women and how society treats them. The first half of the book really fell flat for me but picked up as soon as the cooking show took center stage....more
I went into this one with a lot of mixed feelings having read amazing reviews and horrible reviews from ŷ friends. And, it turns out, they werI went into this one with a lot of mixed feelings having read amazing reviews and horrible reviews from ŷ friends. And, it turns out, they were all correct! This book absolutely feels like a mashup retelling of A Court of Thorns and Roses and Twilight. It is definitely repetitive and the excessive use of "....." in every paragraph is distracting and unhelpful. The first half of the book does drag through a constant (and repetitive) telling of daily life with Poppy and her many thoughts and questions. There wasn't much invested in the world development at that point, either, and it was hard to get a true feel for the place. Plus, as others have mentioned, using both current phrases ("whatever", "I totally get it", "shocking") next to more old world phrasing didn't work for me and made the setting even harder to connect with.
But.....at around the half way mark, it got better. A lot better. The action picked up, the characters got more varied and interesting (albeit very Twilight-ish), the relationship between Hawke and Poppy got more complicated and I got more involved. The second half of the book saved it for me and I averaged the overall rating to a 3. I will read the second book because I am interested in where this goes. I'm banking on the momentum created in the second half of the first book to continue into the next one....more
I’m a big Mhairi McFarlane fan all around. She writes thoughtful, funny, genuine characters and creates great ensemblSomewhere between 3 and 4 stars.
I’m a big Mhairi McFarlane fan all around. She writes thoughtful, funny, genuine characters and creates great ensembles. Just Last Night delivers all of the above. It’s very light on the comedy and even the romance is secondary to the main storyline which is all about friendships and the secrets that some people take with them when they pass away - especially unexpectedly.
The first half of the book is spent establishing the endearing friendships in a small group. When one friend unexpectedly passes away, the friends left behind must find themselves again less one. While that part was touching and thoughtful, it didn’t tear me up or break me down. It was more insightful.
The second half of the book focuses on the FMC and her new relationship. I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first half but the whole book was a sweet, thoughtful, funny, touching and well written story with lovely characters. I will always recommend Mhairi McFarlane!...more
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