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Book Reviews
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Books You’re on the Fence About - 2023
Here is my 2.98 rounded to 3 stars review of A Trouble of Fools
by Linda Barnes:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Private Detective
This is an outlier review. There are many readers who loved this novel.
There’s a decent mystery in this story, but the start is slow-paced, meandering, and uneven. However, it picks up in the last third of the novel. Overall, this sets the stage for an interesting series with some eccentric characters and new investigations to pursue.
Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr
Wicked Lovely Series Book #1
Genea: Fairy Tale -like Fantasy/YA
3★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by Nancy Springer 3 1/2-StarsHistorical Mystery Enola Holmes Style
My Review
Fallen Women – Sandra Dallas – 3***
When wealthy New York socialite Beret Osmundsen learns that her estranged sister was murdered in a brothel, there is nothing for her to do but go to Denver and seek answers. Dallas is well-known for her historical fiction, focusing on women in the 19th and early 20th century. Here she gives a very realistic view of 1880s Denver and the brothels that flourished there, as well as taking the reader inside the nouveau riche mansions of the city’s elite. The actual mystery plot isn’t all that well executed, but the historical detail and some of the characters really kept my interest up.
LINK to my full review
Here is my 3.26 rounded to 3 stars review of Hanging by a Thread
by Dorothy Howell:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cozy Mystery
Overall, this novel is entertaining and was a pleasurable reading experience. It's a fun cozy featuring many unique and interesting characters. Humor is sprinkled throughout the novel. However, the start is somewhat slow and there is some repetition that was somewhat annoying.
A Lady's Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin
A mixed bag historical romance. I had enjoyed the first book of this series much better.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Before You Found Me by Brooke Beyfuss
Outlier opinion, because I found this a mixed bag. Most readers found it far more suspenseful and impactful.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The House of Doors
was beautifully written but felt lifeless to me. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Scareground by Angela Kecojevic
Rarely does a middle-grade book leave me with mixed feelings. This had potential, but probably needed a more experienced author.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Her Last Flight – Beatriz Williams – 3.5***
This work of historical fiction was clearly influenced by the real saga of Amelia Earhart, though it is NOT her story. Although I’ve come to dislike the dual timeline so popular in historical fiction, Williams handles it very well in this case. And it did serve to heighten interest and intrigue. I couldn’t help but try to fit the puzzle together, but I was as surprised as Janey to learn the full truth of the story.
LINK to my full review
The Caretaker, by Aussie author Gabriel Bergmoser, is a tense thriller about a woman who is hiding out alone on a snowy mountaintop. 
My review of The Caretaker
Less – Andrew Sean Greer – 3***
Novelist Arthur Less is almost fifty, can’t seem to get his writing mojo back, and now his recent ex-boyfriend is getting married! So, Arthur does the logical thing. He runs away from his troubles on an around-the-world lecture tour. This won the Pulitzer for fiction and I’m not sure why. I never warmed to Arthur. There were episodes in his journey that I really liked and that kept me reading, but it’s not a prize-winner in my opinion.
LINK to my full review
Here is my 3.38 rounded to 3 stars review of A Curse of Queens
by Amanda Bouchet:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fantasy
Intrigue, danger, action, suspense, a quest, and a romance are mixed with Greek mythology and fantasy in the fourth book in Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles. There was always something new happening in this story that demanded my attention once the quest started. However, the first third of the book was extremely slow-paced. It also took me a while to understand this new-to-me fantasy world. I wanted a little more world-building. I believe those who have read the earlier books in the series would already have that grasp.
I’m an outlier, as I struggled with the use of magic realism in Let Us Descend
. My 3.5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang is something special.
Here's my non-spoiler review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina – Zoraida Córdova – 3.5***
This is unlike anything I’ve read before. Part family saga, part paranormal horror, part fantasy, part historical fiction, part quest, part love story. I’m so grateful that there is a family tree in the beginning, as I referred to it several times to clarify relationships of Orquídea’s many descendants. I was fascinated by the story but I think I need to re-read it to fully absorb the magic of Córdova’s storytelling.
LINK to my full review
The Shutout - Dianna Roman
Genera: M/M Romance/Sports
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Through the Snow Globe by Annie Rains
A Groundhog Day plus Christmas combo. Decent story but doesn't offer anything new.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang is something special.
Here's my non-spoiler review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
You might want to post this in the recommended topic.
@RoshI just played it safe since I don't think it's for everyone.
I mean @Jonetta
The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper
A decent historical story, but I expected far more. The title generates very different expectations.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Postscript Murders – Elly Griffiths – 3.5***
This is book two in the series featuring Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. DS Kaur is “assisted” by three amateur sleuths: Natalka (Ukrainian immigrant and caretaker for the dead woman), Benjamin (former monk and now owner of a coffee shop), and Edwin (80-year-old neighbor of the deceased). This is the first book by Griffiths that I’ve read; it won’t be the last.
LINK to my full review
Here is my 3.48 rounded to 3 stars review of Station Eternity
by Mur Lafferty:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The cross between science fiction and mystery worked well. What a great first sentence! However, the book quickly goes back and forth in time without notice causing one to feel unsettled and disrupting the flow and pacing. These instances are also from different points of view and only slowly reveal what has happened in the past. Despite this, the plot was interesting and complex. Overall, this novel was entertaining and had great world-building.
Finished None of This Is True
. Was OK but not a gem. My thoughts: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Fraud
is getting a lot of buzz, but I struggled with it. My 3 star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Bride and the Beast - Teresa Mederios - (Scotland)
Genera: Romance/Fairy Tales
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Razor Girl – Carl Hiaasen – 3***
I love reading Hiaasen’s ridiculously crazy plots, featuring the NOT-tourist-friendly Florida. The action is fast, furious, and totally insane. The bad guys are frequently three cards short of a full deck. The women almost always get the best of the men. Hiaasen has a gift for drawing this reader into his wildly improbable plots. And I enjoy the ride every time!
LINK to my full review
I struggled to connect with Day,
, Michael Cunningham’s latest. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Ankle Snatcher, by Grady Hendrix, is NOT a bedtime story, unless you want to be awake all night with the lights on! 
My review of Ankle Snatcher
The Carlswick Affair - SL Beaumont - (England)
The Carlswick Mysteries Book #1
Genera: Mystery
4★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 2.88 rounded to 3 stars of This House of Grief: The Story of a Murder Trial
by Helen Garner:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
True Crime
Heartbreaking novel. Unfortunately the writing style didn't appeal to me. However, this is an outlier opinion.
Understanding Desire - Quinn Ward - (Oregon/Virginia)Club DeSire series Book #2
Genera: M/M Romance/BDSM/Daddy/Boy
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Other Year by Rea Frey
Expected to like this more but the double love triangles threw me off. Romance fans might like it better. Outlier review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I drowned in the overwhelming detail but there was a good book trying to get outMy review of The Seven by Chris Hammer
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Haunted Child - M.L. Bullard
Idlewild series Book #4
Genera: Paranormal/Horror
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Words We Cannot Say by Sita Romero
Interesting enough, but not mind-blowing. Too many pregnancy-related triggers!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Friends Sharing Book Love
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The Cat Who Saved Books – Sōsuke Natsukawa – 3***
This is a modern fairy tale and coming-of-age story that explores the long-lasting effects books can have on us. I really enjoyed this fantasy read. Rintaro is a great character, somewhat lost and needing to find his path on life’s journey, he is a person any reader can relate to. Set in a bookshop, the fable is full of literary references, which I greatly enjoyed.
LINK to my full review