Korin's Updates en-US Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:45:20 -0700 60 Korin's Updates 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg ReadStatus9286761176 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:45:20 -0700 <![CDATA[Korin wants to read 'Lone Player']]> /review/show/7473396115 Lone Player by Julia Rosemary Turk Korin wants to read Lone Player by Julia Rosemary Turk
]]> ReadStatus9286570402 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:53:34 -0700 <![CDATA[Korin wants to read 'I Must Betray You']]> /review/show/7473270346 I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys Korin wants to read I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
]]> ReadStatus9286566951 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:52:40 -0700 <![CDATA[Korin wants to read 'Between Shades of Gray']]> /review/show/7473268251 Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys Korin wants to read Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
]]> ReadStatus9267794256 Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:20:03 -0700 <![CDATA[Korin wants to read 'Break the Beast']]> /review/show/7460209625 Break the Beast by Allison Tebo Korin wants to read Break the Beast by Allison Tebo
]]> Review6980955724 Tue, 05 Nov 2024 04:18:52 -0800 <![CDATA[Korin added 'Tea with Elephants']]> /review/show/6980955724 Tea with Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn Korin gave 5 stars to Tea with Elephants (Paperback) by Robin Jones Gunn
bookshelves: to-read
Robin Jones Gunn is back! Fans of Robin's Christy Miller series will love this new release, and new readers will enjoy the series as well. It centers around two new characters, Fern and Lily, but expect some fun easter eggs from Robin's other series!

Fern and Lily are such fun, lovable characters. Both come to Africa with a wanderlust long kept dormant, and both also arrive with burdens that they must deal with during their trip. Their friendship is unique and heartwarming- I love the way Robin can write about so many different friendships and people over the years, and yet make each specially unique and interesting!

This was a perfect read for me during the chilly fall evenings- a cup of hot chocolate while reading TwE made for the best cozy evening. However, while this is definitely a laid-back, heartwarming read, expect to be challenged a bit on the way, as the characters each confront things in their own hearts.

I've heard Christians place fiction as less important, underneath non-fiction theological books. I think both are necessary, both can make an impact. Ironically, I had just recently become jobless when I received this book to review, and so Fern's plight resonated with me even more. It was like a little nod from God saying, "I see you. I've got you."

Tea with Elephants is also a love letter to God's awe-inspiring creation. Robin's beautiful descriptions take you right into the heart of Africa, and make you long to jump on a plane and go visit this beautiful country. It made me nostalgic for the international trip I've been on, and may have been part of the reason I said yes to my next adventure.....

From the eye-catching cover; to Robin Jones Gunn's sweet, prayer-filled words inside; to the prose that takes you right into Africa; this book holds a special place in my heart. ]]> GiveawayRequest644145948 Tue, 05 Nov 2024 04:10:35 -0800 <![CDATA[<a href="/user/show/82595693-korin">Korin</a> entered a giveaway]]> /giveaway/show/390244-an-honorable-deception An Honorable Deception by Roseanna M. White ]]> ReadStatus8594896403 Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:02:35 -0800 <![CDATA[Korin wants to read 'Frost Light']]> /review/show/6979586842 Frost Light by Danielle Bullen Korin wants to read Frost Light by Danielle Bullen
]]> Review6884089740 Sat, 28 Sep 2024 05:39:19 -0700 <![CDATA[Korin added 'The Christmas Tree Farm']]> /review/show/6884089740 The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson Korin gave 3 stars to The Christmas Tree Farm (Hardcover) by Melody Carlson
Usually, I am an advocate for hard, (sometimes gritty) realism in stories, and that hasn't changed, but I feel like we can give Christmas books a pass. There's just something special about that time of year, something that makes the occasional Hallmark movie or fluffy Christmas book more palatable. I've read Melody Carlson books before and have never been a huge fan of her style, but I actually did enjoy The Christmas Tree Farm. Like I said, it's a little fluffy. I can definitely see it premiering on the Hallmark Channel as a Christmas flick. However, the protagonists and their situations had more depth and realism than I was expecting, and I found myself engaging with the story and the plight of its characters.

I liked Madison's can-do attitude, her willingness to get dirty if it meant getting things done, and how she preferred the outdoors. It made a good foil to her sister's more typical girly-girl personality. The dirt bike aspect was fun, too.

Also, the cover is so cute and appealing for a Christmas novella! It fit the story perfectly.

Overall, if you're looking for a cute Christmassy novel to get you smiling over the holidays, then this book is for you. There were still some cheesy moments that made me cringe a little (like the ending...) but all in all, this book got me a little more in the Christmassy mood.

I voluntarily received this book from the publisher in order to write an honest review. All opinions are truly my own. ]]> Review6792813089 Mon, 26 Aug 2024 09:55:14 -0700 <![CDATA[Korin added 'Between the Sound and Sea']]> /review/show/6792813089 Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox Korin gave 4 stars to Between the Sound and Sea (Paperback) by Amanda Cox
What a cozy fall read! Amanda Cox's novel reminds me of the good old days of Hallmark, when the movies were sweet and clean, but with an impactful message that didn't shy away from hard topics.

Some stories and characters hit you at just the right moments, and that's what this one did for me. Joey's life mirrored, in some ways, the season of life I'm in right now. Her self discoveries about letting go of dreams that weren't meant for you, and not being a bystander in your own life, really spoke to me.

While the prose and topic were beautiful, I did feel that the story moved a little slowly at times. The renovation conversations, while adding to the realism, did bog down the story a little. However, that didn't deter me from enjoying the story, and the slow pace did add, somewhat, to the cozy, mellow feel.

This was my first Amanda Cox novel, and it was a pleasant read that honored history and the stories it contains, while simultaneously encouraging readers to focus more on the present than the past.
I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of Amanda Cox's novels in the future!

I voluntarily received this book from the publisher in order to write an honest review. All opinions are truly my own. ]]> ReadStatus8254192602 Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:32:18 -0700 <![CDATA[Korin wants to read 'Where Darkness Dwells']]> /review/show/6738112262 Where Darkness Dwells by Andrea Renae Korin wants to read Where Darkness Dwells by Andrea Renae
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