en-US Sun, 06 Apr 2025 19:58:44 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review664650815 Sun, 06 Apr 2025 19:58:44 -0700 /review/show/664650815 Leona gave 5 stars to The Life List (Paperback) by Lori Nelson Spielman
]]> Review7462887042 Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:40:58 -0700 /review/show/7462887042 Leona gave 2 stars to The Crash (Hardcover) by Freida McFadden
This as an easy read. Not at all complex. I did like the changing POVs but the characters are all stereotyped. I could forgive Tegan since she was the ‘victim' but the rest of the characters are some degree of crazy. I wasn’t surprised by the twists since they were predictable. While the baby 'Tuna' (cringe) and Sadie appear to be the main concern, none of these adults seem fit to be parents. So the happy ending feels unlikely. All of the triggering behaviors here don’t add up to entertainment (for me). This novel definitely follows the author's style but it’s not a book I’d recommend. ]]> Review7458043328 Wed, 02 Apr 2025 19:03:44 -0700 /review/show/7458043328 Leona gave 4 stars to Beautiful Ugly (Hardcover) by Alice Feeney
Five stars for the first half, three stars for the second - averages out to four stars. This novel had a great start and I was initially all in. As Grady’s grip on reality slips, the narrative slips too and it becomes repetitive and less compelling. The remoteness of the island seems unlikely in today's world; to have a functioning community with only 25 residents in that remoteness also seems unlikely. It got creepy and not in a good way. I think introducing a female bestselling author would have brought the point home in a more interesting way instead of the conclusion we got. I’m disappointed. Maybe should have gone with three stars overall. ]]> Review7443096853 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:53:32 -0700 /review/show/7443096853 Leona gave 3 stars to Simply Jamie: Fast & Simple Food [American Measurements] (Kindle Edition) by Jamie Oliver
These recipes aren’t too complicated and are presented in typical Jamie style to encourage people to cook healthy food at home. I didn’t find any new recipes to try but, as always, it’s worth a look. ]]> Review7442115419 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 06:54:13 -0700 /review/show/7442115419 Leona gave 4 stars to Statistically Speaking (Paperback) by Debbie Johnson
This is a solid novel. All of the characters are likeable, and seem mostly real (and very accepting). There might be some triggers here but the story is about healing. The coping skills Gemma uses can work for some, but I’m glad it was just incorporated into her personality and not played for laughs. I think I’d go a little bonkers too if I believed I’d met my baby after 18 years - multiple perspectives give insight into that kind of situation. Good theme of healing from trauma and moving forward. ]]> Review7435328909 Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:20:03 -0700 /review/show/7435328909 Leona gave 3 stars to A Novel Love Story (Paperback) by Ashley Poston
This novel is fluff, but a fun premise to find yourself immersed in your favorite romance book series in real life! I don’t follow romance series at all, but do read occasional romances to take a break from heavier fiction. I liked the atmosphere and the fantasy element of stepping into a place that existed in the books Elsy read so often that it did feel like coming home. She did kind of give in to it pretty quickly, but it’s fiction after all. There weren’t any real surprises, this was meant to be HEA and it delivers. I felt it was somewhat unevenly paced, the dialogue is very basic and the characters aren’t fully formed (but they're NOT real so I guess it’s okay?). Lots of choppy syntax errors (cringe) but this is a fine, fun novel if you're not expecting literature. ]]> Review7423606939 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 19:03:31 -0700 /review/show/7423606939 Leona gave 4 stars to Famous Last Words (Hardcover) by Gillian McAllister
I would almost give this novel five stars. I’ve consistently given this author four stars for previous books. This was SO good. Not too crazy twisty but the twists were subtle, I had some theories, and then OMG. The storyline was really compelling, and I had a lot of empathy for Camilla. These felt like real people in a sad situation. I was a little let down, right at the end, that it wrapped up so quickly even though the last 'act' had some realistic points. Still, this is a great ride. Read this author! ]]> Review7411765467 Mon, 17 Mar 2025 13:57:32 -0700 /review/show/7411765467 Leona gave 4 stars to Mostly Meatless: Green Up Your Plate Without Totally Ditching the Meat (Hardcover) by America's Test Kitchen
Beautifully photographed, each recipe has a 'why this recipe works' forward. America's Test Kitchen always puts out terrific books. I borrowed from the local library and copied out one recipe. I recommend taking a look. ]]> Review7411557099 Mon, 17 Mar 2025 12:38:06 -0700 /review/show/7411557099 Leona gave 4 stars to Black Woods Blue Sky (Hardcover) by Eowyn Ivey
I’m grateful I did not read the negative reviews ahead of time. They do have some valid points but I am grateful that I read this dark fairy tale with an open mind. At times it was frustrating but also lyrical and poignant, with love at the center of it all. I was completely taken in by the setting, and reminded of the bare bones pioneer life of the 'Little House' series (which I also loved). Birdie and Arthur were both selfish, flawed characters and we see their doomed love affair sometimes through young Emaleen's eyes. The adult characters were solitary but wanting to belong while somehow keeping their separateness.
*He loved them, they were family after all, and he wished them happiness, but that wasn’t the same as enjoying their company.'
I have wanted to read 'the Snow Child' for years but never did ; I think it has a similar dark theme. In this novel, I believe love is the main factor - love of nature, love of life, love of family, love of possibilities - knowing that the cost of an open heart must be paid in order to experience it. ]]> Review7387433466 Sat, 08 Mar 2025 18:43:12 -0800 /review/show/7387433466 Leona gave 4 stars to The NEAT Method Organizing Recipe Book: 70 Simple Projects to Take Your Home from Chaos to Composed (Kindle Edition) by Ashley Murphy
This is a beautifully photographed book that covers many categories of home storage. It’s somewhat repetitive as these kinds of guides often are, for the reader only looking at specific areas. While this is an ideal method of organization, with more than adequate space, I personally am looking for ways to maximize the storage in my smaller home and that is not the goal here. Still, this is an inspiring and lovely book. ]]>