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Books You’re on the Fence About - 2023
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isn’t nearly as good as later books. My three star review:https:/..."
Good to know as this series is on my list to read.
I was enjoying The Boy and The Dog up until the end, when it becomes almost like a fable. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished White Cloud: A Strange & Surreal Philosophical Novella
by Joy Slaughter.My 2.91 rounded to 3 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Overall, this magical realism novella is short, somewhat peculiar, and gripping. It is satirical at times, sad at other times, and occasionally uplifting. However, the writing style felt choppy to me, and I did not like the ending. Despite this, I’m glad I read it. It’s unusual and thought-provoking.
How To Walk Away – Katherine Center – 3.5***
There are many kinds of “happily ever after…” I’d read one book by Center previously and I wasn’t all that impressed. So, I wasn’t expecting much more than a contemporary romance with possibly “relevant issues” for today’s woman thrown in. I was pleasantly surprised that my expectations were exceeded. Margaret’s journey is what kept me interested. She has many downs, and a few ups, but ultimately, she takes charge of her life in a way that is totally believable and had me cheering her on.
LINK to my full review
I finished reading Witcha Gonna Do
by Avery Flynn.My 3.07 rounded to 3 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This light and humorous paranormal rom-com was entertaining. The main characters are better defined than I initially expected, and the physical world-building was well done. It also tackled some profound themes that added to its energy and depth.
The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks
Nice enough, but I expected more, I guess. It didn't affect me the way I thought it would.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of Tutankhamun, King of Egypt: His Life and Afterlife by Aidan Dodsonhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished Signal Fires. Could be a case of it's me, not you, Story. my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Royal Pain – Rhys Bowen – 3***
Book two in Her Royal Spyness cozy mystery series, has Lady Georgiana Rannoch (Georgie to her friends) hosting a Bavarian princess as part of Her Majesty’s plan to get the Prince of Wales interested in a more suitable partner than that awful American woman. I like Georgie as a character, and love her grandfather, as well as her best friend, Belinda. But the plot here didn’t really capture my attention. Still, it did give an added dimension to Darcy O’Mara. He may be more than just an unreliable rogue…
LINK to my full review
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Expected a lot more from this one. Some thing were good, some were just weird.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Christmas Bookshop – Jenny Colgan – 3***
This was a delightful rom-com. The city of Edinburgh is described as a virtual living Christmas card during this season, with fairy lights and snow and decorations, and all the shopkeepers on the street hosting parties. Our down-on-her-luck heroine will meet two promising romantic leads: a famous bestselling author and a bedraggled college professor. Of course, there’s a hugely successful attorney sister Carmen feels inferior to, and the additional drama of the “mean-girl” nanny. But never fear, this holiday romance will deliver on the promise of an HEA ending.
LINK to my full review
Things My Son Needs To Know About the World – Fredrik Backman – 3***
In this collection of essays, Backman speaks directly to his infant / toddler son about life and being a man. He covers such subjects as bullies, getting your child to eat, being careful, the importance of best friends, and love. It’s tender and funny and entertaining.
LINK to my full review
To Fill a Yellow House by Sussie Anie
Works in bits and pieces. But not for everyone, and wasn't much for me.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Get a Life, Chloe Brown – Talia Hilbert – 3***
I was drawn to the book because of the promise of a heroine who faces some significant challenges. I did get that, and some other serious issues, along with the typical rom-com tropes, but the book fell flat for me. I really liked Chloe and totally understood both her insecurities and her desire to break out and DO things. I also liked Red, the super of her apartment building with tattoos, a leather jacket and a motorbike, who promises to help her with her list. The chemistry between the two seemed genuine and I liked their banter. But the graphic sex scenes which just turned me off. I’m still willing to try another book by Hibbert, but I’m in no hurry to do so.
LINK to my full review
I read Central Places. I struggled to relate, but a younger reader might like it better. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of The Island of Extraordinary Captives: A Painter, a Poet, an Heiress, and a Spy in a World War II British Internment Camp by Simon Parkinhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Eight Perfect Hours – Lia Louis – 3***
Sam and Noelle meet when both are stranded in their cars during a blizzard. When the weather clears they part, strangers still and not expecting to see one another again. But you wouldn’t have a romance if they didn’t keep bumping into one another. It’s a fairly predictable story line and a fast read. NOT a holiday book, though, despite the cover’s promise. There are some serious issues these characters must deal with on the road to HEA.
LINK to my full review
So Long, Chester Wheeler by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Not my favourite from this author.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished The Lost Witch
by Paige Crutcher.My 3.26 rounded to 3 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The author did a great job of transporting me to this community in both timelines. The imagery was extraordinary. Overall, this was an entertaining story that kept me engaged. The rich storyline with its layered plot, several interesting characters, and plenty of action made this a pleasurable read.
However, the pacing in the middle section of the book was slow. My other quibble is that there were times when the writing was more telling than showing. This also affected the novel’s pacing.
How To Raise an Elephant – Alexander McCall Smith – 3***
Book # 21 in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series set in Botswana and featuring Mma Precious Ramotswe and the other employees (partners?) of the agency, as well as friends and relatives. As is typical for this series, the mysteries are not murders, but a cousin who has some financial difficulties, or a woman with a straying husband, and also figuring out why the suspension in Mma Ramotswe’s beloved little white van seems to have gone bad … not to mention the peculiar smell coming from the back of the van.
LINK to my full review
All I Want For Christmas Is a Cowboy – Jessica Clare – 3***
Young woman with a stressful job decides to go to her family’s cabin in Wyoming over Christmas for some alone time. Misses the turn in a blizzard, crashes her car and is rescued by a handsome cowboy. It's a predictable, fast holiday cowboy romance. And I did so like looking at the cover!
LINK to my full review
The Shop On Royal Street – Karen White – 2.5**
This is the beginning of a spinoff series from White’s popular Tradd Street novels (which I haven’t read). White has included all the tropes of Southern gothic and chick-lit romance: ghosts, family secrets, an irascible grandmother, enemies-to-friends (lovers), a stereotypical Southern Belle best friend who speaks in cute-n-colorful Southernism. It was a fast read, but I’ve already forgotten it.
LINK to my full review
Twice in a Lifetime by Melissa Baron
Looks like a nice light romance. Ended up an intense emotional drama. Could have worked better in the hands of a more experienced author.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished Reckless Creed
and doubt I’ll continue with this series. Just so-so. ,y three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished listening to
The Nowhere Man by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Not sure what to think of The Twyford Code My 3.5 star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Last Coyote –Michael Connelly – 3.5***
Book # 4 in the Harry Bosch series has our detective on ISL – Involuntary Stress Leave – after an “incident” involving an altercation with his supervising officer. This is a pretty dark episode in the series. But the reader gets to know much more about Harry and the way he operates, his background and what drives him. Despite the attention paid to his psychological problems, though, there is still a mystery to be solved with many clues, multiple suspects and enough twists and turns to keep any fan of thrillers interested and engaged.
LINK to my full review
Kidnap on the Moors - Pricilla Masters - (England)
Joanna Piercy Series Book #4
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished listening to
The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny by Willa Nash.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I listened to We Are the Light
Too depressing for me, despite an upbeat ending. My three star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Heartbreak Bakery – A R Capetta – 3***
A teen who is unsure which pronouns to use displays feelings through baking. At the outset, I had some difficulty with the constantly changing pronouns – not just Syd but Harley and others seem unsure which pronouns they prefer on any given day. But I got over this and began to enjoy this YA romance. Syd is a great character, and I liked how Capetta explored relationships and changing feelings and how we need to learn to communicate openly and honestly.
LINK to my full review
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Friends Sharing Book Love
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My 2.9 rounded to 3 stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a historical fiction novel based on a real family of serial killers known at the Bloody Benders. Overall, this story is startling, violent, horrifying, thought provoking, and emotional, with great world-building and characterization. It was a hair-raising and chilling read. So why only 3 stars? The alternating points of view occasionally disrupted the flow. Additionally, the writing was fluent at times and felt stilted and stylistic at other times.