Audio ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Audio review: Great narrator who really captured the spirit of the book.
Main review: This booAudio ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Audio review: Great narrator who really captured the spirit of the book.
Main review: This book was utterly adorable. It's definitely character interaction over substance but if you're looking for a cosy read to fill the Legends and Lattes void, this has got you. It contains many things tropes that will delight fans of the genre - a fixer-upper set up (in this case an old house), found family, a sweet romance, mixed peer group and age group friendships, people healing by coming together, a diverse cast. If I have a criticism it's that very occasionally, the characters lecture the reader. It's not prevalent but when it does happen the emphatic way they talk underlines the author directly telling the reader something. However, while this was jarring when it did happen, the rest of the story was so enjoyable that it didn't matter. Highly recommend this spun sugar sweet cosy fantasy....more
ARC provided via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Legends and Lattes was one of my favourite books of last year and I was super excited when I learnARC provided via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Legends and Lattes was one of my favourite books of last year and I was super excited when I learned that Baldree was working on a prequel. With some books, it's one hit and then the moment can never be recaptured. For whatever reason, everything aligns for that one book - the author was in the right headspace, the reader is ready for just that book, the market is delivered something it didn't even know it was hungry for. And then nothing quite hits the same vein afterwards. I am happy to report that is not the case here. Bookshops and Bonedust has a slightly different feel to the book it prequels but that actually works in its favour.
The story is set twenty years prior to L&L and follows a much younger and more impetuous Viv who has just begun her career as a mercenary. A bout of recklessness sees her seriously injured and she is left by her comrades in a quiet seaside town to recover. Not much ever really happens in Murk - that's exactly how Gatewarden and general ballbreaker Iridia likes it. In pain and bored Viv accidentally befriends a despondent bookseller whose shop is on the verge of going bust. From there the story becomes the warm, cosy confection we've all been craving with a few good twists. It's partly a 'finding yourself' story, partly a fixer upper story. Partly a bittersweet coming of age. It's full of found family, delicious pastries, books and cosy vibes. Oh and there's a necromancer floating around who needs dealing with too. Can the injured Viv learn to lead with her wits rather than her brawn though? Find out when this drops in November (I pity everyone who didn't get an arc and has to wait). Great book. Highly recommend. ...more
Audio ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own
I love Amanda Ronconi's narration. She's perfect for paranormal cosy mystery and urban fantasyAudio ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own
I love Amanda Ronconi's narration. She's perfect for paranormal cosy mystery and urban fantasy.
I didn't realise that this book was written by an author who's been on my TBR for ages, but at the mention of Beechwood Harbour it clicked. If this is a sample of her work, I can't wait to get to her other books when I'm next in the mood for cosy mystery. I've been reading a lot of heavier books recently and this was the perfect antidote - fun, light and frothy with an enjoyable mystery and a likeable cast. If you're a fan of Molly Harper then you're sure to love this (albeit without the smut!) Really enjoyed this book and will definitely check out the sequel....more
Short and very sweet. If you're looking for a cosy coffee shop tale peopled by cute queer monsters to fill the Legends and Lattes gap, this has basicaShort and very sweet. If you're looking for a cosy coffee shop tale peopled by cute queer monsters to fill the Legends and Lattes gap, this has basically the same plot and will deginitely do the job....more
Audio Arc provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own
Audio narrator was great. I would definitely listen to other books she's performed.
This is morAudio Arc provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own
Audio narrator was great. I would definitely listen to other books she's performed.
This is more a 3.5 rounded up because of some structural issues - the story blazed through three natural stopping points, for instance. However, I really enjoyed this. The characters were unusually well developed for this type of romantic paranormal mystery. The author also made the interesting and ballsy decision to make Josh, the love interest, vulnerable and a bit unsure of himself not to mention scraping by financially - instead of the over sexed, over muscled and over the top slavering sides of billionaire beefcake the genre usually boasts. I thought this worked really well (although frankly I could have done without the SA thread even off page).
Esse is also a great character. I liked her independant spirit contrasted with her hang ups. (Although the accidental genital mutilation thread was once again one I kind of didn't need and which did confuse the flavour of the genre IMO). That said, in many ways this was a fresh take on well worn genre tropes. It was enjoyable and I got through it in two sittings (long car journey).
Some of the magic is a bit woolly for my taste but I really appreciate the fact that the author actually bothered to do historical research - particularly since this is UK set.
Overall this is a superior offering in the genre. It was a fun read and I'll definitely check out the author's other work....more