I have to preface this with saying that if you can get past the weirdness/creepy factor of a random 26-year-old single woman wanting desperately to adI have to preface this with saying that if you can get past the weirdness/creepy factor of a random 26-year-old single woman wanting desperately to adopt a 7-year-old boy from foster care, then this is a great book. There's a hint of magic, but it's the magic of books and imagination and found family, fantasy magic. As someone who believes strongly in the power of books and found family and imagination, I enjoyed it! I enjoyed the puzzles and the hope of the wishing game, and especially the idea that one must work to make their own wishes come true....more
A story within a story, this book alternates between the 1940 and 50s and the 1980s and between the viewpoints of three different people. Each voice wA story within a story, this book alternates between the 1940 and 50s and the 1980s and between the viewpoints of three different people. Each voice was well-defined and distinct, and I sympathized with all of them. It was well-crafted and beautifully written. I look forward to reading more from Barbara Davis!...more
I almost never read romance, so I picked this one up a little hesitantly and only to fill a reading challenge prompt. I was laughing out loud from theI almost never read romance, so I picked this one up a little hesitantly and only to fill a reading challenge prompt. I was laughing out loud from the beginning and then pleasantly surprised at the depth of the story itself. I absolutely hate insta-love and was grateful that this book didn't seem to follow that trope too much. (Apparently it's the second in a series and the characters originally met in the first book, but I didn't know that before reading this one. This one can definitely be read as a stand alone). I appreciated that the characters actually communicated with each other and the friendship/romance wasn't all based on lust. There were a couple steamy scenes, which really aren't my thing, but my guess is that regular romance readers won't be bothered by them at all.
If you enjoy romantic comedies, definitely give this one a try!...more
A little on the long side, but a good story about Louise having a cold and learning to cover her mouth when she sneezes. There's also a nice message aA little on the long side, but a good story about Louise having a cold and learning to cover her mouth when she sneezes. There's also a nice message about parental love. A decent, but not outstanding, group read aloud....more
Uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable. I love Dr. Wimberly's attitude and especially her smile. This is a great coffee table book; read a spread or two wUplifting and thoroughly enjoyable. I love Dr. Wimberly's attitude and especially her smile. This is a great coffee table book; read a spread or two when you're feeling a little down and it will pick you right up....more
I absolutely loved Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea and was really looking forward to reading more by him. Sadly, this one just didn't live up toI absolutely loved Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea and was really looking forward to reading more by him. Sadly, this one just didn't live up to my expectations. It was slow moving and the romance was not well developed at all. The action did eventually ramp up, but the conclusion was a little saccharine-sweet for me. I enjoyed the quirky characters. The whole thing felt a bit "Scrooge-like" to me, but that could also be because I'm reading it at the end of November. What I mean by that is the idea of seeing your life and your horribleness and wishing you could change it, but it's too late. Entertaining enough to enjoy while reading, but nothing outstanding....more
Fun rhyming text accompanies beautiful illustrations to tell the story of a little purple hippo who is just trying to match her socks. She learns all Fun rhyming text accompanies beautiful illustrations to tell the story of a little purple hippo who is just trying to match her socks. She learns all about colors and discovers that perfection isn't always necessary. A fun group read aloud, especially for the toddler crowd!...more
3.5 stars I'm not a romance reader and this book definitely had more "instalove" than I like, but it was a lighthearted story with fun fall vibes and a3.5 stars I'm not a romance reader and this book definitely had more "instalove" than I like, but it was a lighthearted story with fun fall vibes and a nice message about overcoming childhood bullying....more
I picked this up to fill a prompt in the Read Harder 2023 Challenge: read a romance with a bisexual character. This is definitely not my normal genre,I picked this up to fill a prompt in the Read Harder 2023 Challenge: read a romance with a bisexual character. This is definitely not my normal genre, I usually avoid romance like the plague. And, I've been reminded why. The story itself wasn't horrible, but I hate the insta-live/soul mates trope, which this book is drenched in from the beginning to the end. Also, I'm not a fan of bedroom scenes, and this book had several that were pretty graphic. At least there was an actual plot and it turned out to be a quick read. 2.5 stars...more
Squirrel notices all kinds of fun changes that worry him at first, but Bird tells him they just indicate that spring is coming. Squirrel finds a floweSquirrel notices all kinds of fun changes that worry him at first, but Bird tells him they just indicate that spring is coming. Squirrel finds a flower that he wants to keep "safe" as his own and learns a lesson about sharing and letting things be what they should be in this beautiful, large format picture book with bright, vivid illustrations. A fun group read aloud....more
Several animals compare their flowers and one dog is frustrated because everyone else's flowers seem to be better than his. When he throws down his flSeveral animals compare their flowers and one dog is frustrated because everyone else's flowers seem to be better than his. When he throws down his flower pot in frustration and destroys his flower, the other animals exhibit true friendship behaviors. A solid addition to story time, but not outstanding. The illustrations steal the show in this one. ...more
This book definitely skews older, but the illustrations are lovely and the message is timely and important. We all need to slow down and listen to undThis book definitely skews older, but the illustrations are lovely and the message is timely and important. We all need to slow down and listen to understand. This would make a nice discussion starter in a story time with older kids (ideally 6-8 years old)....more
Romance isn't usually my genre, I picked this up for a group read and enjoyed it quite a bit more than I expected to enjoy it. I liked the characters,Romance isn't usually my genre, I picked this up for a group read and enjoyed it quite a bit more than I expected to enjoy it. I liked the characters, they were good people. I especially liked the relationship between Sam and her little brother. There were a few spicy scenes which I just scrolled past (not my thing, but it might be yours). Overall, a fun read....more
Emma is the middle child, caught between her two brothers, whom everyone calls "Big" and "Little." Emma knows she's just medium, which is nothing specEmma is the middle child, caught between her two brothers, whom everyone calls "Big" and "Little." Emma knows she's just medium, which is nothing special. On their annual summer trip to the beach, Emma comes up with a plan to change her status by changing her actions. Will this just cause more dilEmma's? Or, will is change Emma's life the way she wants it to?
This is a sweet story about self-acceptance and finding a place to fit in. The illustrations are gorgeous (though they sometimes ignore little details from the story - like Emma sitting in a booster seat in the car). I highly recommend this book for readers ages 5-9 and those with new siblings trying to adjust.
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own....more
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