Saturday Sips: Three Star Review Dump

 

Welcome back to another Saturday Sip, where I pour out some quick thoughts on the books that landed right in the middle for me this month. These 3 star reads weren’t bad, but they didn’t quite sweep me off my feet either. Think of them as decent cups of coffee, satisfying in the moment, but not the ones I’ll be dreaming about later. Let’s sip through the stories that left me feeling just okay.

Star Wars: Slave ShipK.W. Jeter

Star Wars: Slave Ship by K.W. Jeter just didn’t hold my attention the way I hoped it would. The premise had potential, but the pacing felt slow, and by the halfway point, I found myself losing interest. There were moments of intrigue, but overall, it lacked the momentum and excitement I expect from a Star Wars novel. Not a bad read, just not one that left a lasting impression.

Lord John and the Private MatterDiana Gabaldon

If I had picked up Lord John and the Private Matter before falling headfirst into the Outlander series, I’m not sure I would’ve stuck around long enough to meet Jamie and Claire. This spinoff lacked the depth, atmosphere, and emotional pull I’ve come to expect from Gabaldon. Lord John, a character I’ve previously admired, came off flat and uninspired here. The rich world building I’ve loved was missing, and the tension, both romantic and narrative, just wasn’t there. It felt like a shadow of what the Outlander universe can offer. Unfortunately, this was a big letdown, and I won’t be continuing with the Lord John series.
Winter GardenKristin Hannah
I was excited to stumble upon a tattered copy of Winter Garden in a little free library, especially as a fan of Kristin Hannah, but sadly, this one didn’t quite land for me. The character drama was intense and well-crafted, and the world-building was immersive, but the pacing dragged so much that I kept thinking, "Just get to it already." The slow unraveling of the plot made it hard to emotionally invest in the big, heart wrenching reveal at the end. Instead of being moved, I mostly felt relieved to be done. Solid writing, but the sluggish pacing killed the momentum. A middle of the road read for me.
The Rest Is MemoryLily Tuck

I went into The Rest Is Memory thinking it might be based on true events, and when I realized it was purely fiction, I was honestly surprised. Mainly because of how plain and distant the writing felt. The story had potential, but the prose was so understated it never truly pulled me in. It read more like a sketch of a story than something fully fleshed out, leaving me emotionally detached from the characters and their experiences. A quiet read, but not one that lingered after the final page.