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Book Reviews
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Books You’re on the Fence About - 2024
Ander & Santi Were Here – Jonny Garza Villa – 3***
This is a YA gay romance featuring two very likeable young men facing serious life decisions. Oh, the intensity of young love. The passion and fierceness of the feelings. I really liked these two young men. My only complaint: the language here (significant use of the ‘F’ bomb) and the sexual content seem more adult than YA. It’s a beautifully told love story, but Villa could have done it with much less swearing and graphic sex.
LINK to my full review
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel was trippy, so take that fact as you would.
Here's my non-spoiler review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Good Thief’s Guide to Paris – Charles Ewan – 3***
Book two in the Good Thief mystery series, has author and thief Charlie Howard in the City of Lights. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one fell flat for me. Oh, I still like Charlie and I like the way he thinks. I enjoyed the introduction of Victoria, his agent; she really added a lot to this episode. One thing I expect of mysteries is that the conclusion answers all my questions, and this one did not. Though he did set up the next in the series rather nicely, so I’ll probably read more.
LINK to my full review
I’m in the minority, being underwhelmed by The Berry Pickers.
. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I was mildly disappointed in The Mayor of Maxwell Street
, a book in need of a much better editing job. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Paris Daughter – Kristin Harmel – 3***
There are a number of historical threads woven into this melodrama: the Nazis penchant for stealing art, the role of the French Resistance, the many Jewish families who sent their children into hiding, and the post-traumatic stress survivors had to deal with. In general, Harmel’s story kept me interested, but I thought the writing was just okay. I guessed the central plot point VERY early in the book and noticed the foreshadowing as a result.
LINK to my full review
All the Days of Summer – Nancy Thayer – 3***
A novel that explores what a woman’s “second act” might look like. Like most of Thayer’s novels, this feature a woman in her middle years, finding new purpose as her children are leaving the nest. Heather Willette rents a cottage on Nantucket for the summer to think on what her next chapter of life might look like. But, of course, there are bumps in the road. Will everything work out? Well, there are no pretty ribbons tied around a perfect ending here, but there is positive movement and hope for a splendid future. A totally enjoyable read.
LINK to my full review
The Half-Burnt House - Alex North
Genera: Mystery & Suspense/Thriller
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Little Italian Hotel – Phaedra Patrick – 3***
This was mostly predictable, but I didn’t care. It was exactly the kind of “coming of middle age” adventure I wanted to read as an escape. The characters are interesting and sometimes surprised me, and the setting was gloriously depicted. I felt as if I were in Venice or Florence. And I loved the food descriptions! A fun, fast, enjoyable read.
LINK to my full review
Here is my 3.23 rounded to 3 stars review of Nowhere Like Home
by Sara Shepard:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Psychological Drama / Crime Novel
Thought-provoking
Plenty of angst and suspense
I wanted the main character to be stronger.
The writing style with many flashback scenes isn't my preferred style.
My review for The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker by Joanna Nell
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Wrangled - Daryl Banner -(Texas/California)
Spruce Texas Series Book #4
Narrator: Chris Chambers
Genera: M/M Romance
3.5★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In Love With a Haunted House - Kate Goldman
Genera: Supernatural/Romance
3.5★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Old God’s Time
was a little too convoluted for me. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Clockwork Heart - Heidi Cullinan - (France)
Genera: M/M Romance /Steampunk/Supernatural
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I started to put this on the "Books You Recommend" but the 3-star rating stopped me from doing that. The rating had nothing to do with the story or the writing of the author. It was totally that i don't read enough Steampunk novels to really make a judgement if others would like it or not. If you read it, I hope you enjoy it.
Weather Girl – Rachel Lynn Solomon – 3***
This was a cute rom-com with an underlying serious issue. Ari is a charming young woman who has achieved her dream of becoming a TV meteorologist. But she sometimes struggles to maintain her on-screen persona; she suffers chronic depression, although therapy and medication help. I liked the way Ari and Russell interacted; they seemed genuine, with real-world challenges, and recognizable coping mechanisms.
LINK to my full review
Aussie/UK mystery writer Rachel Amphlett has a couple of stories on her website you might enjoy Devil of a Favor is a very short story with a worrying premise and a twist.
My review of Devil of a Favor
The second story by Rachel Amphlett is A Burning Question, a longer mystery featuring Detective Kay Hunter from her well-known series, although this is a standalone. Narrowboats have become a target for arson.
My review of A Burning Question
I recently read T.J. Klune's quirky sci-fi adventure, In the Lives of Puppets. Known for his popular The House in the Cerulean Sea,(which I loved), here he has taken twists from "Pinocchio", "Alice in Wonderland", and "The Wizard of Oz". He even created an irrestisbly hilarious Nurse Ratched robot from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". 
My review of In the Lives of Puppets
The House Beyond the Dunes - Mary Burton - (North Carolina)
Genera: Mystery & Suspense
3.5★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This week I listened to
Gulf Coast Sunsets by Maggie Miller.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Everything That Rises Must Converge –Flannery O’Connor – 3.5***
This collection of short stories was published posthumously, after O’Connor died at age 39 from complications of lupus. I like Southern literature, and particularly Southern Gothic literature. The dark themes explored in such works intrigue and interest me. O’Connor excelled at this. While her characters may be blind to their (and others’) faults, the author gives the reader a clear view.
LINK to my full review
The Memory of Us: A brand-new love story for 2024. Filled with heart-wrenching romance, family love, and mystery by Dani Atkins
Haven't read any other book by this popular author, but I think I began with the wrong one.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Heartsick - Chelsea Cain - (Oregon)
Archie Sheridan & Gretchen Lowell series Book #1
Genera: Mystery ^ Suspense
3★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here is my 3.48 rounded to 3 stars review of Blue Smoke and Murder
by Elizabeth Lowell:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Romantic Suspense
Good Characterization, Action Packed, Fast Romance
Here is my 3.45 rounded to 3 stars review of A Bite of Blueberry
by Melissa Monroe and Kyla Colby:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Paranormal cozy mystery
Light, entertaining, fun
Ursula Under – Ingrid Hill – 3***
I don’t remember why I put this on my TBR list, though I suspect it was a recommendation from my local indie bookseller back in 2004. Having finally read it, I wonder why I kept it on the list for so long. Hill does have some strikingly original and beautifully written passages in the book. And those fed my love of literary fiction and kept me turning pages, hoping for more of this. But it was a slog to get through. It took me over a month to finish it, because I kept putting it aside for other books that required less brain power to enjoy.
LINK to my full review
Only the Children by S.A. Dunphy
Didn't work as well as the first book for me, though the ratings suggest otherwise.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
The Curious Case of Emily Lickenson by CeeCee Jameshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Irresistible Omegas- Volume One: - Nora Phoenix
Genera: M/M Romance
Narrator: John Solo
3★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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