”You were always the best part of me. If I could take back even one second of waiting for other people and other places and just be with you, I’d do i”You were always the best part of me. If I could take back even one second of waiting for other people and other places and just be with you, I’d do it.�
I was not expecting this book to hit me squarely in the feels, but I am suing SFM for emotional damages, because this book was exquisite. Going in, I didn’t really have a clue of what to expect, as it is my first read from the author. Would it be dark, like a Stephen King, coming of age, battle the evil giant sort of way? Well, it definitely is a coming of age tale, but it is SO much more than your typical small town horror novel. While parts are dark, the overall feel is more suspenseful and surprisingly hopeful.
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The balance between the past tense narrative as the gang discovers the houses and what magic they hold and the present tense search for Brandi and the truth of the 15 years they have been gone from town is perfectly done, and the atmosphere of the Arkansas Ozark felt like a character all in its own. An unexpected touch was how lovingly this book wraps up, with a HEA in every way imaginable. If you enjoy books that break genre barriers with a compulsive feel, do yourself a favor and check out The Wonder State.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
Have you ever fallen hard for a book and you can’t put your finger on exactly why? It’s not an overall fan favorite, and the content isn’t anything toHave you ever fallen hard for a book and you can’t put your finger on exactly why? It’s not an overall fan favorite, and the content isn’t anything to write home about, per se, but all you know is that you couldn’t put it down the entire time you were reading it, and once you finished it was difficult to move onto the next book because you couldn’t stop thinking about this one? That’s the only way I can describe my experience with Locust Lane. It’s your standard, run-of-the-mill crime fiction murder mystery, and yet it kind of isn’t.
Maybe it was the gripping prologue. Perhaps it was the fact that, even though the story is about a group of teens who are suspects in a murder investigation, it’s the adults belonging to these teens that we get all of the POVs from. It could even be the fact that, as I age, I have a greater appreciation for a thoroughly constructed, character driven novel of slow burning suspense than I do for the flashy, OMG A TWIST YOU WON’T SEE COMING type of novel. *although let’s be honest, we almost always see the twist coming a mile away, amiright? Whatever the reason, this one will stay with me along my reading journey forward.
The story begins with a gripping prologue with a driver hitting a dog (don’t worry, the dog is totally fine), and ends with an ominous stand off. After that, we kind of hit reverse on the pacing and gently ease into introductions of the characters telling this story. The murder really doesn’t become the main focus of the book until the second half of the book, so the first half is spent on revealing many juicy secrets that each family is hiding. Once I got past the 50% mark, the pages practically turned themselves and I couldn’t race to the end quickly enough to see how it all wrapped up. Speaking of, I was wrong about who the killer was. In hindsight, it makes perfect sense, but I was so sure that the author was trying to make me think it wasn’t one particular character, that I went all in in my guess, and I was pleasantly bamboozled. The ending was superb; plenty of closure but also a little door left open to let us wonder how the next phase might be handled.
Big thanks if you made it this far, and I hesitate to recommend this book to just anyone, because it will definitely require a patient and special reader to enjoy it, but if you enjoy slow burning novels of suspense with juicy, wealthy people’s secrets and deep character studies, give this one a try.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
”The more I learn about Moore and his career path, the more I start to get a fuller picture of who he was. Beyond the BS rules that he enforced harder”The more I learn about Moore and his career path, the more I start to get a fuller picture of who he was. Beyond the BS rules that he enforced harder and harder at Promise, he seemed like the kind of guy who liked to be admired� He look at dudes like J.B. And Trey and Ramon and saw something…wrong with them. Something that needed to be crushed into a box, breaking all the bones to make them fit.�
Promise BoysPromise Boys is a fast paced YA thriller that weaves together an important narrative of racism and privilege, and what it means to not only be accused of something you didn’t do, but have all the odds stacked against you because of this disparity. Once I saw that the author is practically a “neighbor� of mine (his D.C. to my Northern VA), I knew I had to read this one sooner rather than later, as I love a setting I can really visualize from visiting.
It’s a short read with zero fluff, and the unique format of storytelling between many different POVs and multimedia inserts is fascinating. I did have part of the whodunnit figured out early on, but the rest really got me which is a feat many mysteries don’t do for me anymore. If you listen to audiobooks, I highly recommend tickling your eardrums with this full cast feature production. Seriously, the bar is now set incredibly high and I will forever be comparing future listening sessions to this one. If you want a fast read that includes deep, timely content that EVERYONE needs to hear, please do yourself a favor and pick up this book in whatever format floats your boat.
”We are the young men of Promise Prep. We are destined for greatness. We deserve joy. We are extraordinary. We ask from the world what we give to the world; respect, wisdom, and grace. We are each other’s hope. We are responsible for our futures. We promise.�
TW (including, but not limited to and these will include spoilers: (view spoiler)[racism, references to gang violence, murder, parental neglect/abuse, substance abuse, police brutality, theft of funds, mention of a hand gun, bullying. (hide spoiler)]
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
”You are in all of my happiest places. You are where my mind goes when it needs to be soothed.�
Angsty Perfection. Emotional Damage. Hopeful Second Cha”You are in all of my happiest places. You are where my mind goes when it needs to be soothed.�
Angsty Perfection. Emotional Damage. Hopeful Second Chances.
How is it possible to sum up your feelings on a book that you were sure wouldn’t be for you, but ended up being a guaranteed top read of the year instead? Let me explain.
I’ve been reviewing books for many years now, and over time I’ve become more jaded with each new release that has an overwhelming hype train behind it. Typically, the pushy nature of READTHISBOOKPLZZZZZ that comes with a huge fan base tends to turn on my rebellious nature and make me want to not read it or like it even more. I cannot explain this phenomenon, nor do I defend it, but I have a feeling I’m not the only reviewer who tends to duck and run when hyped books are saturating every bit of your online footprint. Couple that with the fact that I like to try and champion books from either debut authors or without a large marketing budget behind them as often as possible (this is not a pat on the back, just a personal passion of mine), and I do not tend to fit in as many of the big books of the season that I used to. I managed to make it through Emily Henry’s first three releases without caving, but something about Happy Place caused me to rethink my decision, and I’m so grateful that I stopped being a stubborn turd and embraced this emotional journey. (Yes, I am now the proud owner of all four of EmHen’s adult releases.)
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So how did I come about requesting this book? Well, aside from the FOMO that had built continuously, the marketing of friends-to-lovers-to-enemies really got me, and the fact that this was being paraded as her angstiest book yet (I love a good tummy turmoil romance) sealed the deal. Also, the cover had nothing to do with it. Nope. Not at all. I thought I was getting a fun, summer romance that I’d enjoy, but would ultimately be forgettable in a sea of illustrated covers, but color me surprised when I discovered there was so much more here.
”Want is a kind of thief. It’s a door in your heart, and once you know it’s there, you’ll spend your life longing for whatever’s behind it.�
I don’t think there are words to describe just how much this book means to me, or how relatable I found aspects of it, but I’ll try to convey here. It’s easy to perceive from the synopsis that this is a story or what was, what is, and what might be. We receive glimpses into the past that build Harry and Wyn’s friendship-turned-romance, and we also receive present tense pov where something has gone horribly wrong, but we’re not quite sure what that is. The tension of building up to that conversation (which actually is brilliantly more than one conversation) is DIVINE, and the havoc that Henry wreaked on my emotions along the way was sinister in the best way possible.
Obviously the romance is swoons. The chemistry between Wyn and Harry is palpable, and the payoff after the pining throughout a good bit of the book is worth every bit of anxiety ridden, nail biting suspense. The journey that both characters go on together and individually is satisfying. But also? The dynamic and vibes between this group of six friends is something you can sink into. It’s what you desire if you don’t have it, and appreciate if you do. And it’s not perfect, not by a long shot. Everyone is flawed and has to work at keeping this group together.
I also really found myself in Harry’s dynamic with her parents. As someone who, for years, carried a weight of feeling like I would not be enough if I didn’t make the most of my parent’s sacrifices, this aspect of the book, while small, absolutely wrecked me. I was a sobbing mess as I went full circle on this journey with Harriet, and I’m sitting here tearing up again as I write it now.
Every single portion of this book is a hard earned happily ever after, which is just the way I like it. Maybe I’m a sellout now, but I’m definitely part of the EmHen fan club now, and I cannot wait to go and read her backlist while painfully waiting for the next book she writes. This book deserves every bit of hype that it has and will receive, and it gives me a glimmer of hope that I can still find that magical feeling of finding a new book that becomes a part of your soul, one that you carry with you on the rest of your journey here on earth and becomes part of your personality on a permanent basis.
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*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
”Myths are but lies breathed through silver.�-C.S. Lewis
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is the type of book that I go koo koo over. I want to colle”Myths are but lies breathed through silver.�-C.S. Lewis
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is the type of book that I go koo koo over. I want to collect all the editions of it (ebook, hardcover, and audiobook, check check check), hoard all the special editions and cover art, and make it my entire personality. Couple that with the fact that Roshani Chokshi is a national treasure and we should protect her at all costs, I can safely say that this book will be in my Top 10 of 2023 round up. It’s gorgeous prose, lush atmosphere, and gothic horror elements are cream of the crop, and each time I was able to listen to the audiobook or open the ebook felt like an escape, even though it isn’t a story I’d want to physically be drawn into. ;)
You warned me that knowing your secret would destroy us.
At first, it sat in our marriage like a blue-lipped ghost, hardly noticeable until a trick of the light drew it into focus. But you could always tell the days when it gnawed at my thoughts. You tried to comfort me. You stroked my face and curled my fingers to your heart.
You said: “If you pry, you’ll destroy our marriage.�
But oh, my love, you lied.
The less you know going into this story the better, and while I did have it mostly sorted before the reveal, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. In fact, I feel like it added an element of suspense, building up to the climax to see if I was right and the journey of how we got there. There are many dark elements to this book, and I encourage you to check out trigger warnings before diving in if you need to, but otherwise, definitely go in blind. If you enjoy sensual and sumptuous tales that straddle the line of magical and grounded, this should be at the top of your TBR, and consider the audiobook if you enjoy a good male narrator. *swoons in Steve West*
*Many thanks to the publisher and LibroFM for my ALC and e-galley....more
Kennedy Ryan is the one person I trust to write a story that will run over my heart with a Mack truck, only to piece it back together by the end in a Kennedy Ryan is the one person I trust to write a story that will run over my heart with a Mack truck, only to piece it back together by the end in a more cohesive manner than it was to begin with. *quiet sob* Yas and Jo’s second chance was angsty and compulsive, but please note that this book reads more like contemporary fiction with graphic sexual content than a traditional romance. I’m a big fan of the recipe’s being added at the end of the book, and look forward to trying my hand at making at least one. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a book that will have you rooting for the couple and investing yourself in every page to ensure they get their happy ending.
TW: trauma, loss of a child/still birth, divorce, depression, grief, mental health, therapy, and suicidal ideation are all discussed.
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*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
”Devlin was starch-white shirts and the winter moon. I was blood red wine and a burning flame. Together, we were a messy misfortune, fated for a tragi”Devlin was starch-white shirts and the winter moon. I was blood red wine and a burning flame. Together, we were a messy misfortune, fated for a tragic conclusion before we even began.�
I’ve been eagerly awaiting Kylie and Devlin’s installment in the Fair Oak series since reading Now This Is Us, and it did not disappoint! The angst and banter between the two was top notch, and I loved watching both of these mistrusting individuals slowly break down the walls and fall for each other. There is a nice, slight continuation from the circumstances surrounding the climax of book 1, but you can easily read this book as a standalone. The author has kindly included trigger warnings for the content of this story at the beginning of this book with a link to the back of the book, so that readers can choose whether they want to go in blind or have an idea of what is included before diving in, and I LOVE that! If you’re looking for a contemporary romance with a heart of gold and small town soul, this is it.
”Then you came along, and it’s like all the broken pieces are falling back into place.�
"The Spirit Realm is a vast and magical place, but the greatest of all its wonders is the Sea God's city. Some say the Sea God is a very old man. Some"The Spirit Realm is a vast and magical place, but the greatest of all its wonders is the Sea God's city. Some say the Sea God is a very old man. Some say he's a man in his prime, tall as a tree with a beard as black as slate. And others believe he might even be a dragon himself, made of wind and water. But whatever form the Sea God takes, the gods and spirits of the realm obey him, for he is the god of gods, and ruler of them all."
Have you ever read a book that you loved so much and you wanted to live in forever and you need sequels because you're never ready to say goodbye to these characters? Because same. ...more
"To enter the palace means to walk a path stained in blood, our medical teachers had whispered. There will be bloodshed. I only hope it will not be yo"To enter the palace means to walk a path stained in blood, our medical teachers had whispered. There will be bloodshed. I only hope it will not be yours."
I decided to quietly start The Red Palace on a whim after a friend told me how wonderful it was, and it's the best reading decision I've made in January. Historical fiction is definitely not my go to genre, but something about the premise involving a murder mystery drew me in. I've determined that I'm indeed not averse to historical fiction, I just wasn't finding the right books for me in this genre. After reading many similar WWII historical romances, it felt like that was all I was seeing promoted on my feeds. While there's nothing wrong with them, I'm just happy to branch out and explore HF that features ancient Eastern cultures, rather than solely Anglo-Saxon and American history that is relatively new compared to the rest of the world.
Hyeon is a palace nurse, the highest station that she can achieve as a common born female in 1700's Korea. She has studied and worked hard to become someone her higher born father, Lord Shin, will hopefully be proud of. She lives with her mother and younger brother when she's not working at the palace, and while she has become close with her little sibling over time, her relationship with her mother is strained due to her abandoning Hyeon one night when she was a young girl.
One night, Hyeon and her friend/fellow palace nurse Jieun are summoned to the Crown Prince's quarters to tend to his illness, and discover that they are being sworn into keeping a grave secret. During the same night, a mass murder of nurses at the local hospital outside the royal gates invokes an investigation that the King and Commander Song would like to wrap up as soon as possible. The only remaining nurse present, Hyeon's mentor and maternal figurehead, is arrested and will be tortured and executed if she cannot get to the bottom of things quickly. But how can she investigate on the sly while also keeping up with her palace duties?
"Revenge begets revenge; the anger is unquenchable. We become the monsters we are trying to punish. Justice, however, brings closure, and that is what I want."
Enter Eojin, police inspector extraordinaire and cousin to Jieun. He has his own reasons for wanting to investigate discreetly, as these murders are directly linked to the murder of someone close to him. Eojin is upperclass, but sees all humans as equals due to being raised by a progressive thinking family, and watching his and Hyeon's bond grow over the course of their investigation is both organic and delightful. The increasing devotion between them is subtle, but in the best of ways, and by the end of the book I felt their relationship had greater strength than most YA romantic couples we have seen over the years combined altogether. I would DIE for these characters, and would absolutely love to revisit this crime solving duo in future books, as the mystery was well crafted and believable, which was further cemented by the author's note at the end of the book.
Please note that this story has a great deal of graphic violence, gore, murder, and discussions involving classism (always challenged) that may be disturbing to some readers. This may have been my first read by June Hur, but it certainly won't be my last. What a delight it is to find one of my favorite books of the year as early as January! I loved it so much that I pre-ordered a finished copy for my favorites shelf. Highly recommend this one to everyone who is burned out on the same old over-hyped reads....more
Ok, where are my romance fans at? Seriously, I know I'm biased, but my book bestie has written an epic love story i"Do you believe in second chances?"
Ok, where are my romance fans at? Seriously, I know I'm biased, but my book bestie has written an epic love story if I've ever read one. Do you enjoy friends to enemies to lovers to second chance romance? Then buckle up buttercup, because you'll want to dive into Jordan and Harper's love story the second this book is published.
"We knew tomorrow wasn't promised. Knew hardships awaited and at times, we'd feel unsteady on our feet. Knew that sometimes, we'd feel regretful and misunderstood. But there was beauty in our camaraderie-a closeness that came with trust, faith, and loyalty-and because of that, I knew we'd make it through anything."
Two words. Jordan. King.
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He is absolute delicious book boyfriend in one broody, witty package. His banter and body language are the perfect cover for something deeper, and watching his transformation over the course of the book is nothing short of a revelation.
Harper is such a relatable character, and her family life is what initially drew me into wanting to know more about her. (Big Jim anyone?) Together, they are friendship goals, but do they have what it takes to turn their relationship into end game? With the help of (or lack thereof in some cases) their family, friends, and community in Fair Oak, we are introduced to a time and place that we want to revisit even after turning the final page. Which is good, because we have more stories to tell in this world! :)
If you're looking for a memorable, angsty, book that balances steam and depth, here it is! I can't wait to discuss this book with other readers once it is officially out in the world, but in the meantime, I'll just keep thinking about these characters and crossing my fingers for a certain couple to be featured in the next book. ...more
"Wilde had never met his father. Or his mother. Or any family member. He didn't know their names or where he was born or when or how he, as a very you"Wilde had never met his father. Or his mother. Or any family member. He didn't know their names or where he was born or when or how he, as a very young child, ended up living alone in the woods of the Ramapo Mountains, fending for himself. Now, more than three decades after being "rescued" as a little boy-"ABANDONED AND FERAL!" one headline had put it; "A MODERN-DAY MOWGLI!" shouted another-Wilde sat no more than twenty yards from a blood relative and the elusive answers to his mysterious origin."
Friends, after a long anticipated wait, we finally receive answers to all the questions surrounding Wilde and his mysterious past. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you probably haven't yet read The Boy from the Woods and should rectify that immediately. While this book could "technically" be read as a standalone, I can't say I'd recommend it as such, because there is so much character backstory you'll be missing that does play into a large portion of the plot, and the story will be much more meaningful once you have those deep ties to the familiar friends we've met before. Plus, it's not a long running series that will take you ages to catch up on! That said, if you're worried you may have forgotten what happened in the previous book, not to worry; Coben does a fantastic job of jogging your memory without giving a dreadful info dump that takes up a huge chunk of the beginning of this book.
Welcome back to a world with Wilde, Hester, Laila, Matthew, and Rola! It felt so good to revisit this timeline, and we're dropped back into the story about a year after the previous book ends. Wilde is back in the US and has found a lead on a biological family member. As this meeting happens, things are set into motion that cannot be done, but as per the author's usual M.O., we don't get to see how it all ties together and subsequently unfolds until the very end of the book. This isn't the first book that Harlan Coben has written that involves a plot featuring ancestry accounts online, but I can say it's used in a different way here than it was previously. There's laughter, plenty of suspense and action, and even a bit of a heartwarming love story here, folks. I don't want to give anything away, but I truly had no idea where this novel was going until the multiple big reveals at the end. Do yourself a favor and go ahead and pre-order The Match.
*Many thanks to the author for providing my review copy....more
This is a really tough book to review, because there are so many ways I could spoil the beauty and uniqueness of the story, so I think I'm just going This is a really tough book to review, because there are so many ways I could spoil the beauty and uniqueness of the story, so I think I'm just going to share some of my favorite quotes below, and leave you with a parting note that this book was exactly what I needed right now, and I can't wait to read the next two books about these characters' "haunted roads" this month.
"I almost felt my dad's hand resting on my shoulder, begging me to do right by his family. It was time to become the man he'd always said I would be, to let go of what had no value and hold tight to what mattered most."
"Some relationships have hidden truths that few can survive. Only us strong ones can dare listen to, and have the balls to stay and bear witness to, the result of irrevocable damages."
"When did your world turn upside down? And when will you turn my world right side up?"
"I'm not going to pretend that you have paid your dues in the grieving department and say that never again will you know such heartache, but what I am going to tell you is that life is beautiful. I, in my heart, believe that you two will have many happy memories before you say good-bye to this world. Live! Be free! Try to let go of the fear of tomorrow, and enjoy today."...more
Binged this entire book today, and I regret nothing. While this dealt with some heavy topics (sex trafficking, damaged family bonds, death of a parentBinged this entire book today, and I regret nothing. While this dealt with some heavy topics (sex trafficking, damaged family bonds, death of a parent, etc), I love that Nana Malone still managed to give this series a comforting, upbeat vibe. What a fantastic finale to Ben and Liv's romance, but I'm so thrilled that this isn't the end. Looking forward to all these wonderful character's in the next trilogy, and I am ESPECIALLY looking forward to East's romance. ...more
"Do you always do as you're told?... Do you always coast along the waves of this rotten life, hoping for better instead of taking actionNow Available!
"Do you always do as you're told?... Do you always coast along the waves of this rotten life, hoping for better instead of taking action?"
Where to begin? This epic romantasy was everything I had hoped it would be and more, but that's not surprising, considering Ella Fields is an absolute queen and her talent with the written word knows no bounds. I discovered her writing at the beginning of Covid last year, when my dear friend Jenn introduced me during our buddy read of Frayed Silk. The Savage and the Swan is my eighth book from the author, and I have found such comfort in her words over the past year. Her covers are absolute eye candy, her writing is poetic, and her stories are addicting and compulsive. While most, but not all, of her previous books are contemporary romance, she's been diving into the fantasy genre lately and I ...more
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