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Books You’re on the Fence About - 2023
The Spies of Shilling Lane – Jennifer Ryan – 3***
What a delightful romp! While this is a novel of espionage and daring deeds in a time of war, and the background of the blitz adds a consistent and real danger, there are many lighter moments to lessen the tension, and the focus is really on the characters and their personal journey rather than on the war. Ryan writes the formidable Mrs Braithwaite so the reader has no doubt that she will prevail. She may bumble and misconstrue most clues, but she is resolute and WILL find and rescue her darling daughter.
LINK to my full review
Wings of Fire Legends: Dragonslayer was so mediocre.
Anyways, here's my non-spoiler review for y'all:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Couple at the Table - Sophie Hannah
Genera: Mystery & Suspense
3.5 ★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Eden Close – Anita Shreve – 3.5***
When his mother dies, Andrew, an advertising exec in New York City, returns to the family’s upstate New York farm for the funeral. Intending to stay only a few days, he gets caught up in memories of his childhood, of the girl next door, and of the tragic event that changed all their lives. There is some mystery to unravel here regarding that long-ago summer night. Andrew has always been a person who doesn’t really see things, even when they are right in front of him, and he will have to open his eyes to the truth before he can move forward.
LINK to my full review
Auctioned - Cara Dee
Narrator: Alex Kydd
The Auctioned series Part 1
Genera: M/M Romance (some)/Human Trafficking
3★
MANY TRIGGER PRODUCING SCENES
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Adventure Of the Christmas Pudding – Agatha Christie – 3***
This is actually a collection of short stories, in which Hercule Poirot addresses a variety of cases, and Miss Jane Marple solves the final case. Agatha Christie is one of my go-to authors when I want a break from everyday life and heavier, more literary reads. I just plain enjoy them. I’m also a fan of short stories, and this fit the bill nicely for winter evenings … one story per night.
LINK to my full review
Secrets of a Summer Night – Lisa Kleypas – 3***
This is the first in the “wallflower” series featuring four young women of marriageable age but who are at risk of becoming spinsters if they don’t find a suitable mate. In this first outing, the girls decide to pool their resources to ensure that Annabelle (who is the oldest and most in need of a husband) snags her man. This is a typical regency romance with plenty of heaving bosoms, devastatingly handsome men, one or two scoundrels, and a clash between the classes. The plot may be predictable, but it’s still great fun to read. A lovely escape!
LINK to my full review
Buried In a Good Book – Tamara Berry – 3***
First in a new cozy mystery series featuring Tess Harlow, a mystery-book author, who leaves Seattle for the Northwoods cabin she inherited from her grandfather. But before she can settle in a loud explosion results in a rain of dead fish and body parts. There’s no shortage of suspects, including “Bigfoot,” to keep both Sheriff Boyd and Tess busy. A fun, fast read.
LINK to my full review
Four Ever - Sloane Kennedy - (California)
Genera: MMMM Romance/Polyamorous
3★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 3.16 rounded to 3 stars review of My Roommate Is a Vampire
by Jenna Levine:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Overall, this was fun and charming, but the ending was too quick and easily resolved in this slow burn romance for me. While there wasn’t enough depth to the plot for my tastes, I still enjoyed it.
Robert Bryndza's latest novel, Fear the Silence, is a standalone thriller that takes place on a remote Croation island in wild, stormy weather. English doctor Maggie is alone and terrified!
My review of Fear the Silence
Another case of a misleading blurb. The Continental Affair
. My 3.5 star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Last Chance Library – Freya Sampson – 3***
This was just lovely. June’s growth throughout the book is wonderful to see. I also like how initial impressions of people are sometimes proven quite wrong, and how the various relationships / friendships developed. The cast of supporting characters give a sense of community to the novel. It was a charming diversion from everyday life – perfect for when you want a cozy read with a happy ending.
LINK to my full review
Gaudy Night – Dorothy L Sayers – 2.5**
Book # 10 in the Lord Peter Wimsey series focuses not on Peter, but on Harriet Vane. She is attending an event as an alumnae of Shrewsbury College at Oxford, but what promised to be a pleasant, if awkward, homecoming, turns decidedly ominous with a series of destructive “pranks” and malicious, vile graffiti. Harriet does her best, but has to call in Lord Peter to solve the case. I found it slow-moving and dull.
LINK to my full review
Finished The Last Ranger
. A bit of a disappointment for me. My thoughts: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tomb Sweeping by Alexandra Chang
An interesting collection of tales based on Chinese or Chinese-American experiences. I would have enjoyed it better had I liked the endings,
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
After Death - Dean Koontz - (California/New Mexico)
Genera: Horror/Suspense
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Surely, You Can’t Be Serious
is an uneven reminiscence of the making of the movie Airplane! My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
David Nicholls is so good at showing awkward relationships where each person of a couple blows hot and cold at different times.
One Day
is St Swithin's Day, when a boy and girl, later as man and woman, plan to stay in touch or meet each year through their lives.
My review of One Day
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang.
It's a great historical military fantasy book, though I would think twice recommending it to someone.
Here's my non-spoiler review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for The Sight
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for
The Breakawayhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Matrix
was beautifully written but a bit of a slog for my. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Dog Who Came In From the Cold – Alexander McCall Smith – 3***
Book Two in the Corduroy Mansions series, starring Pimlico terrier Freddie de la Hay. I love these ensemble works that Alexander McCall Smith writes, where we get to the residents of a building or neighborhood over time.
LINK to my full review
Here is my 3 star review of Paper Targets: Art Can Be Murder
by Steve S. Saroff.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm an outlier on this novel. There are many 4 and 5 star reviews.
PamG wrote: "Here is my 3 star review of Paper Targets: Art Can Be Murder by Steve S. Saroff.https://www.goodreads.com/r..."
I'm with you, Pam. I went even lower than you did with a 2*. I just didn't get the hype. The novel suffered from a confused identity crisis.
My Name Isn't Joe by James Thomas
Rated 4.69 stars on GR, and I still end up as an outlier. Go figure! :(
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Friends Sharing Book Love
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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