Yes, this book coulda and shoulda been a 5-star read.
WHAT HAPPENED?
1) BRILLIANT PREMISE. An SAT tutor enter
"KILLER POTENTIAL" had sooo much potential.
Yes, this book coulda and shoulda been a 5-star read.
WHAT HAPPENED?
1) BRILLIANT PREMISE. An SAT tutor enters her pupil's home and discovers her pupil's parents are murdered and a young mystery woman tied up in a secret room.
When the pupil and her boyfriend arrive for the tutoring session, they assume that the tutor and the mystery woman murdered the pupil's parents.
The SAT tutor and the mystery woman panic and flee and their "Thelma and Louise" escape journey begins.
Who killed the pupil's parents?
2) 10-STAR VIBE. I loved the book's "Thelma and Louise" vibe.
3) OPEN DOOR, STEAMY LGBTQ+ SCENES. HUH? Nothing in the publisher's blurb identified this book as an LGBTQ+ title with steamy love scenes. These scenes could easily have been omitted without compromising the storyline.
I prefer "G-rated" thrillers with no open doors and explicit sexual details.
4) EXCESSIVE TEXT There were portions of the book that were overwritten.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Kristen Sieh and Daru Oda.
Although the narrators did a superb job, their voices were similar and the transition between the two narrators was sloppy. At times, it was difficult to discern who was saying what....more
OUTLIER ALERT: Although I loved the book's "Friends with Benefits" title/premise, I was not the right reader for this book.
WHY?
1) I AM A KATHERINE CEN
OUTLIER ALERT: Although I loved the book's "Friends with Benefits" title/premise, I was not the right reader for this book.
WHY?
1) I AM A KATHERINE CENTER FAN. The publisher's blurb promised a lighthearted rom-com for fans of Katherine Center.
Katherine Center's new 2025 release just received a glowing 5-star review from me.
Even with a vivid imagination, stating that author Marisa Kanter's writing style shared similarities with Katherine Center's style was a HUGE stretch.
2) PACING. At times, the book's pacing was tediously slow.
3) POLITICS. The author's political views were included in this book. (Ouch!!!!!)
I enjoy "no politics, please" rom-coms, and therefore, this book was not lighthearted and had me cringing instead of LOL and commiserating with the protagonists.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Gail Shalan and GM Hakim.
I always enjoy multi-cast narrations.
Gail Shalon's narration was good but not great. GM Hakim's narration was superb.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Be prepared to laugh, cry, and feel your jaw drop.
From its explosive start, this knockout domestic drama was riveting, "Finding Grace" is a rare find.
Be prepared to laugh, cry, and feel your jaw drop.
From its explosive start, this knockout domestic drama was riveting, gasp-worthy, unpredictable, and unputdownable.
Poignant, compelling, twisty, emotionally jolting, and character-driven, the author brilliantly explores love, heartbreak, parenthood, and resilience with her unique signature style.
TW: Secondary infertility.
This is talented author Loretta Rothschild's first book and it is a very, very impressive debut.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Fiona Button.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
鉂わ笍 LOVED this witty, character-driven, and engaging rom-com that focused on self-discovery, taking chances, body positi
Lotsa LOVE for THE LOVE HATERS:
鉂わ笍 LOVED this witty, character-driven, and engaging rom-com that focused on self-discovery, taking chances, body positivity, bravery, and, of course, LOVE!
鉂わ笍 LOVED the book's deeply flawed protagonists and atmospheric Key West setting.聽聽
鉂わ笍 LOVED the female protagonist's "fake it until you make it" attitude when she accepted an assignment to produce a video documentary about a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, even though she did not know how to swim.
鉂わ笍 LOVED George Baily, the male protagonist's "larger聽than life" Great Dane.聽
I always eagerly await Katherine Center's releases.
WHY?
When it comes to rom-coms, Katherine Center is in a league of her own. 鉂ｏ笍...more
"From the master of wintery crime, comes a thriller that will chill you to the bone."
Yes, this hot winter thriller was compelling, pacey, twisty, intr
"From the master of wintery crime, comes a thriller that will chill you to the bone."
Yes, this hot winter thriller was compelling, pacey, twisty, intricately plotted, well-written, and replete with flaming red herrings.
The book begins with instant action: The dead body of a former police officer dressed in a Santa Claus suit is discovered outside a small village in Cumbria.
Another dead body is also recovered.
Who committed these murders?
The book is the fifth book in Alex Pine's "DI James Walker" "cold" series and it is also a standalone read.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Simon Darwen.
This was my first Alex Pine book and I look forward to circling back and listening to the earlier books in this series.
Although I never read Ina Garten's cookbooks or watched her Food Network show, I became an instant Ina fan after listening to her outst
"Imma" Ina fan.
Although I never read Ina Garten's cookbooks or watched her Food Network show, I became an instant Ina fan after listening to her outstanding "high-spirited and no-holds-barred" memoir.
It's easy to see how/why Ina Garten's superb memoir was GR's Nominee for Readers' Favorite Audiobook (2024) and Readers' Favorite Memoir (2024).
To date, it is also one of my favorite audiobooks and memoirs.
Yes, Ina has also mastered the recipe for writing compelling, engaging, and inspirational memoirs.
Whether you cook or dine out, this 10-star memoir is a must-read.
THE PUBLISHER'S BLURB SAYS IT ALL: Chelsea Handler is unapologetic, vulnerable, unfiltered, and undeniably unforgettable.
TWO CHELSEA CONFESSIONS:
1) Onc
THE PUBLISHER'S BLURB SAYS IT ALL: Chelsea Handler is unapologetic, vulnerable, unfiltered, and undeniably unforgettable.
TWO CHELSEA CONFESSIONS:
1) Once upon a time, I was a huge Chelsea fan who eagerly and religiously watched every single episode of "Chelsea Lately", her former late-night talk show.
I also read all of her earlier books.
2) My admiration for Chelsea ceased after purchasing pricey tickets to see her perform live.
Chelsea was intoxicated and unprepared.
(Not a good combo!)
"It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it" and after that disastrous performance, I severed ties with Chelsea.
---------- Since I truly believe everyone deserves a second chance, I gave Chelsea that second chance and was glad I did.
Chelsea received a lot of therapy since the disastrous performance I witnessed and it showed.
I enjoyed her "shares" in this book, especially the "shares" about her childhood hard lemonade stand, her encounter with Woody Allen and his wife, and her friendship with the Bush twins.
WHY NOT 5 STARS? Chelsea spent too much time delivering therapist advice.
I would have enjoyed the book more had it focused on more "shares' and less advice from her therapist.
I listened to the audiobook, read by the author.
I always enjoy memoirs read by authors and Chelsea Handler did a superb job with the narration....more
When Gwen's husband is murdered, friendship veneers crack, infidelities are revealed, and a peaceful coex
Meet amiable neighbors Gwen, Aimee, and Lisa.
When Gwen's husband is murdered, friendship veneers crack, infidelities are revealed, and a peaceful coexistance between three female friends/neighbors is no longer peaceful.
Unfortunately, after Gwen's husband's death, the book fizzled.
WHY? * Waaay too many tangents and eye-rolling moments * Uneven pacing
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Alex Picard.
Although Alex Picard did a superb job with the narration, since the book unfolded from the three POVs of Gwen, Aimee, and Lisa, having three narrators would have upped my star rating.
Frequently, it was hard to discern who was saying what.
1) This epic love story set in the sparkling, cutthroat world of elite figure skating was brilliant.
2) Th
My 5 favorite takeaways from "The Favorites":
1) This epic love story set in the sparkling, cutthroat world of elite figure skating was brilliant.
2) The author's characterizations were strong and compelling, while the storyline was fast-paced, engaging, and unputdownable.
3) Author Layne Fargo did a superb job portraying the pressures, tension, backstabbing, jealousies, and sabotage experienced by ice skaters -- frequently as chilling as the ice itself.
4) The book evoked memories of the Nancy Kerrigan/Tanya Harding real-life drama.
5) I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Christine Lakin, Louisa Zhu, Amy Landon, Elena Rey, Valerie Rose Lohman, Suzanne Toren, Graham Halstead, Julia Emelin, Layne Fargo, Eric Yang, and Johnny Weir.
I always love multi-cast narrations. and all the narrators gave fabulous performances. ------------------ But in the end, the gold medal goes to author Layne Fargo.
Layne Fargo must have spent endless hours researching competitive figure skating, and it showed.
This is the second Layne Fargo book I have had the privilege of reading.
The author's "They Never Learn" was about a college professor who was also a serial killer, and I was awed by the author's ability to handle two very different genres with exceptional skill and finesse....more
What this mom liked about this "Mothers" book: 1) The cover. 2) The title. 3) The premise: Did a mom's son kill a student who was bullying him? 4) Strong
What this mom liked about this "Mothers" book: 1) The cover. 2) The title. 3) The premise: Did a mom's son kill a student who was bullying him? 4) Strong beginning with an endearing, quirky, witty, and imperfect protagonist.
What this mom did not like about this "Mothers" book: 1) After a compelling start, the book fizzled. 2) Pacing was uneven 3) At times, the book was all over the place. I lost track of the times I heard myself asking, "Are we there yet?" 4) The ending was eye-rolling.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Georgina Sadler.
This riveting and heartfelt story of three Slovakian sisters who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp and the Auschwitz Death March was not for t This riveting and heartfelt story of three Slovakian sisters who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp and the Auschwitz Death March was not for the faint hearted.
Based on a true story, the story begins when the three sisters travel to Israel to start a new life.
This powerful book is about courage, pain, resilience, and the lifelong bond between three sisters.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Finty Williams.
Although "Three Sisters" is the third book in the author's "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" series, it is also a standalone read.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more
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