For some reason, I was under the impression that Trouble in Queenstown was Delia Pitts' debut, but it is not! I thought she didAudiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For some reason, I was under the impression that Trouble in Queenstown was Delia Pitts' debut, but it is not! I thought she did a wonderful job of using the showing not telling method, almost to the point where sometimes I wasn't quite sure what she was getting at, but it felt electric all the same. I loved our FMC Evander “Vandy” Myrick, and she was a very relatable character between her quest for justice and the way her dad was the center of her world. Loss of a child is discussed among other things, so I would make sure to check your triggers as this book does get a little dark.
I loved Bahni Turpin as the narrator for the audiobook, and thought she made the entire storyline along with its characters come alive in an exciting way. She was on it during the action scenes as well, and I was impressed with the way she made Vandy shine. I loved how the book was broken down into Vandy's different cases though it also came along with the progression of the plot itself. I love a gritty PI novel, but I also felt like something was missing from this one to keep me from connecting with it fully. ...more
I did not know headed into Lowcountry Lost by T.I. Lowe that it was Christian fiction (not a normal genre for me), but since I love Lauren K. DentonI did not know headed into Lowcountry Lost by T.I. Lowe that it was Christian fiction (not a normal genre for me), but since I love Lauren K. Denton it shouldn't be a surprise that I loved it. The entire book is told from the viewpoint of Avalee and man did I love this headstrong leading lady. She is basically trying to hide her trauma in a box and not think about it, but once her ex-husband arrives onsite to help with the reconstruction of the ghost town she is bringing back to life, she can't help but deal with it and all the pain that brings. There are triggers in this book that I felt despite not experiencing them myself, and I would definitely check subject matters prior to reading.
I loved the found family elements as well as the rekindling of a romance that was thought long gone on Avalee's end. This is a slow burn with a setup much like an HGTV show and I was hooked from the very beginning. The southern vibes are off the chart since this is set in South Carolina, and there are so many food references that it was literally making my mouth water. The secondary characters are anything but second, and I fell in love with every single person (and animal - looking at you Preacher!) in the novel.
Lowcountry Lost exceeded any expectations I could have possibly had, and I ended up laughing but also crying my eyes out, especially after the must-read note from the author. Even if you aren't a fan of clean romance/Christian fiction but are in the mood for something that will rip your heart out and put it back together again with plenty of laughs along the way I would highly recommend giving this incredible story a chance. I will definitely be looking into reading more from Lowe!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
The Drowning House was a weird one for me, which was especially sad because I LOVE Cherie Priest's series The Booking Agents. This was definitely a veThe Drowning House was a weird one for me, which was especially sad because I LOVE Cherie Priest's series The Booking Agents. This was definitely a very far departure from that kind of cozy crime mystery, and it had all the witchy, eerie, and gothic vibes that make for a perfect fall read. However, I thought the pacing got bogged down by the inclusion of the 1985 timeline as well as the other viewpoints minus one at the very end. I would have been perfectly fine staying in the present time exclusively from Melissa's viewpoint.
The audiobook is narrated by Mara Wilson, and I thought she did an excellent job of heightening the seclusion and creepiness of the storyline. I love an isolated location and the setting at an exceptionally spooky house on a rural beach was perfection. Wilson is probably what kept this from being a DNF for me and in between the disjointedness I felt and some aspects that were just plain bizarre (I kept thinking wth as I was listening), it was mostly a miss for me. That being said I know some readers will truly love it, so I wouldn't let my review stop you and there were many elements I did love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
Holy moly, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is Briony Cameron's debut, and I couldn't put this action-Holy moly, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye is Briony Cameron's debut, and I couldn't put this action-packed thrill ride down. Cameron focuses on a woman who may be fictitious or made up from many forgotten women in the past with Jacquotte, and brings her idea of what her story could have been to life in this swashbuckling pirate tale. This was unlike any other historical fiction novel I have ever read, and I was completely wrapped up in both the storyline and worrying about how things would end for our fearless FMC.
I listened to the audiobook and have to say Angel Pean did an incredible job narrating. It felt like she was destined to be the voice of Jacquotte, and I thoroughly loved every bit of her narration. There is a lot of violence which can be expected when we are talking about pirates, and I could totally see this being made into an amazing movie. There is also a queer romance at its heart that I couldn't get enough of and Jacquotte is just the type of badass female lead that I love. She was unbreakable even at the hardest times, and this work of fiction will be something I remember long into the future....more
Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson was such a fun read and proved to me that I need to stop putting off this author's otheAudiobook Rating: 5/5
Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson was such a fun read and proved to me that I need to stop putting off this author's other books. I loved the dual timelines between Marlowe and the Ralston family in 1932 which eventually come together so the reader knows exactly what happened at Morning House. There was so much to uncover, and I loved all of the little clues and twists along the way. Marlowe made me LOL quite a bit, while the Ralston POV was more serious and ominous. Who knew candles could be so dangerous?!
I listened to and loved the audiobook and thought Katherine Littrell did a wonderful job as the narrator. I am a pretty large fan of hers in general, and she did an excellent job with every aspect of her narration here. Death at Morning House is a queer romance and murder mystery all wrapped up in one fast-paced story and thriller readers who love YA are sure to enjoy it. I especially enjoyed the end and the introduction with the articles! Plus, Marlowe's POV gives new meaning to the phrase if you can't be good, be careful. ...more
I have only just started dipping my toes into romantasy and smuttier books, and I LOVED Filthy Rich Fae by Geneva Lee! It took until about the 70% marI have only just started dipping my toes into romantasy and smuttier books, and I LOVED Filthy Rich Fae by Geneva Lee! It took until about the 70% mark for the spiciness to really even come into play, and by that time Cate and Lachlan had quite the rapport going. I loved both characters but especially our fierce FMC Cate. She is just the type of woman you want as the star of the show, and she wasn’t a weak character in any aspect. The majority of the story is told from her perspective with Lach coming in near the end. Even though his POV is minimal it gave me chills and it was a smart move on Lee’s part.
The audiobook is freaking fantastic with Raquel Beattie as the narrator for Cate and Aiden Snow narrating Lach. Even though it is a little lengthy at 14 hours and 27 minutes, I was so caught up in the story that it didn’t feel like it. And THAT CLIFFHANGER! I knew it was coming even though I still held out hope there would be some sort of closure, but nope, and now I’m dead. I hope we don’t have to wait long for book 2 of this series or I might lose my mind with the not knowing. Lee’s writing sucked me in from the first SENTENCE and it is very fluent, concise, and expressive which is everything I needed for Filthy Rich Fae. I will definitely need to read more from this author, and if you enjoy romatasy with an air of mystery I highly recommend this deliciously dark book! ...more
When I saw the cover of The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields I knew I had to read it, and I would say this would make a great spooky season/fall4.25/5
When I saw the cover of The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields I knew I had to read it, and I would say this would make a great spooky season/fall read especially! It is a solid debut full of witchy magic, beautiful imagery, and ultimately romance! Bees and honey take a front seat in the storyline which is nice and unique, and though the pace felt a little slow to me, it picks way up at the end and I couldn't put it down. I would categorize this queer romance as grumpy/sunshine since Marigold is spunky and light, while Lottie is moody and grumpy.
Mia Hutchinson Shaw narrates the audiobook and I thought she did a lovely job. I didn't have any issues understanding her even at a quicker speed (I listened around 3x) and her pacing, tone, and pitch all felt spot on. The Honey Witch is action-packed when we get near the end, and I feel like I said "aw" quite a bit as well. The conclusion was very sweet and will be a crowd pleaser! I also loved that the female leads were compelling and determined and not pushovers in the slightest. I will be keeping my eyes open for future books from Shields for sure! ...more
I am so glad I decided to pick up Annie LeBlanc Is Not Dead Yet by Molly Morris because it was a pure delight! I do wish what was going on with bringing a person back from the dead had been explained better in the actual book and not just mentioned in the synopsis, but I caught on pretty quickly and it was a very unique concept for a book. Through Wilson choosing Annie, it brings up a lot of old wounds and Wilson quickly realizes things she didn't before Annie's passing. I loved the journey the story took me on, and the eventual queer romance was very heartwarming.
The audiobook was pure perfection with Georgina Sadler as the narrator and I loved the way she brought Wilson to life. She was fun to listen to, and I thought she did a great job bringing all of the emotions in the storyline front and center. I thought this would be a light and breezy read, but it is a touch heavier, and I thought that brought a lot of depth to the story. I also loved Morris's writing style immediately and it flowed so well! I will definitely be adding this author to my new favorites list.
I received an advance listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is most likely going to make my top 10 list of 2024, and it is just the type of heartwarming magical read that makes me The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is most likely going to make my top 10 list of 2024, and it is just the type of heartwarming magical read that makes me light up. The synopsis states it was inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia and I can definitely see that. I hadn't read the synopsis before reading but that is the vibe I got while reading through and through, and it made me desperately want to do a reread. Jeremy, Rafe, and Emilie were some of the most loveable MCs I have ever met, and so many of the secondary characters were as well.
The audiobook would have been incredible with a full cast, but I loved Jorjeana Marie's narration just the same. Her voice was very pleasant and easy to listen to, and she made the story come alive. Some of my favorite parts were the storyteller sections which are an unknown narrator until the end, and I loved the fairy tale quality they provided. Shaffer's writing is vivid and enchanting, and I could have stayed in the world of Shenandoah forever. There is also a lovely queer romance that made my heart happy, but we couldn't get to the end without some pain and suffering as well. I am now an instant fan of this author, and I can't wait to get a copy to add to my shelves. ...more
The Ride of Her Life BY Jennifer Dugan is an endearing and delightful queer romance filled with family drama and friendships that aren't always perfecThe Ride of Her Life BY Jennifer Dugan is an endearing and delightful queer romance filled with family drama and friendships that aren't always perfect. I loved the uniqueness of this enemies-to-lovers grumpy/sunshine storyline, and I felt like I learned something about horse barns and the rodeo along the way. It felt like a bit of déjà vu reading about a rodeo in this book after recently finishing Homebound, and I am learning how much I love cowboy/cowgirl-esque romances (and can I just mention the cowboy hat scene? ...more
I loved the concept for Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe, and this debut author managed to give us a fun, paranormal romance that is freI loved the concept for Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe, and this debut author managed to give us a fun, paranormal romance that is fresh and new! I am not a conspiracy theorist in the least, so I definitely related more to our FMC Hallie. That being said, I couldn't help but love Hayden's enthusiasm for all things conspiracy-related and got a kick out of hearing the Denver airport mentioned since I live in Colorado and only recently heard about that whole thing myself. I also enjoyed how Hallie evolved as the book went on and was able to stand up against her nasty ex.
I listened to the audiobook that is narrated by Alex Finke and I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about her narration. She made Hallie sound a little whiny and I did not like her voices for the guys in the book. I have enjoyed her narration in previous books though and I'm guessing this could have been a me thing. The romance was sweet and believable, although I was a bit surprised to hear the I love yous so fast. All in all, I thought Love and Other Conspiracies was a great debut, and the freshness of the storyline had me hooked. I can't wait to read more from Marlowe!
I received an advance listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I will read everything Emily Giffin writes, hands down, no question, no reading the synopsis. So, I had no idea what The Summer Pact was going to be aI will read everything Emily Giffin writes, hands down, no question, no reading the synopsis. So, I had no idea what The Summer Pact was going to be about or just how moving it was going to be. Essentially (and I think this is important to know) it is about three friends who make a pact to always come to each other when they are feeling down/depressed after their other friend commits suicide. This later leads them to come together after Hannah makes a very startling discovery about her fiancé. I loved the friendship theme of this book and there are many heartbreaking moments layered on top of humor and camaraderie that you just don't find anywhere except your true friends.
I loved the audiobook, and I thought Karissa Vacker, Alex McKenna & JD Jackson were the perfect narrators for Hannah, Lainey, and Tyson. I normally listen at a 3x speed, but because I was on the PRHA app I could only be at a 2x, and man was I glad these narrators were so on point. Some voice actors are brutal to listen to at a 2x, but not Vacker, McKenna, and Jackson! They were perfection in every way and definitely enhanced my experience. Also though, McKenna's narration of Hannah as Lainey made her sound extremely whiny, and it made me LOL. This was a very dark read which I wasn't expecting, so don't let that cute sunshiny cover fool you!
I received an advance listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
I love Ellery Lloyd but I have to say I was a little hesitant going into The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby. I heard there were a lot of characters I love Ellery Lloyd but I have to say I was a little hesitant going into The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby. I heard there were a lot of characters on top of time jumps, and I was very worried I would get confused especially since I was listening to the audio. It turns out I had absolutely nothing to worry about and I loved this captivating tale full of dirty laundry and revenge. I love when art takes center stage in a novel even though I know nothing about it, and that is certainly what happened here. I wish it had been an even larger part of the storyline, but as it was, I still loved it.
Nneka Okoye, Joshua Akehurst & Eleanor Jackson narrate the audiobook and I have to say I enjoyed each one immensely. I loved that Juliette, Caroline, and Patrick all got a voice in this book, and I would say I actually enjoyed Juliette's POV the most. I also loved how they each tied together, and this is a complex plot with lots of moving parts. This author duo never disappoints, and I felt like The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby was different from their other work but just as well executed. I heard this was a follow-up to The Club but honestly, I have zero idea how. I would say you definitely don't need to read that first to get this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own....more
So stinking cute! These are the words I would use to describe Birding with Benefits by debut author Sarah T. Dubb. I immediately knew I was goin4.25/5
So stinking cute! These are the words I would use to describe Birding with Benefits by debut author Sarah T. Dubb. I immediately knew I was going to enjoy this book, and I loved the characters, plot, and humor equally. There is spice in here that managed to be steamy and humorous at the same time, and I adored Celeste and John individually. The birding element ended up being adorable, and it was so sweet watching John teach Celeste about birds and their calls. ...more
The Familiar is the first novel of Leigh Bardugo's I have read outside of the collection of stories she has published (The Language of Thorns), and I The Familiar is the first novel of Leigh Bardugo's I have read outside of the collection of stories she has published (The Language of Thorns), and I clearly need to get to more. She swept me away in this tale of familiars, romance, and magic against the backdrop of the Spanish Golden Age. I was immediately wrapped up in the story and imagery, and I am in awe of how beautifully Bardugo crafts her characters. I felt fully connected the entire time, and even though it is on the larger side, I finished it in practically one sitting. The main viewpoint is Luzia, but the author also added a few others at different points. This wasn't confusing and one of them made me smile quite a bit.
I listened to and loved the audiobook which is narrated by Lauren Fortgang. She did an impeccable job of bringing the text to life, and she was easy to understand as well. She didn't really differentiate her voice all that much for the different characters, but everything else felt spot on. This is fantasy, history, magic, and romance all wrapped into one spellbinding package, and I loved the ending! I had no idea how Bardugo would choose to close it out, and I was extremely happy with the way she did. The Familiar is a great pick if you love culture and history with your fantasy and I am looking forward to immersing myself in more of her work....more
All This & More by Peng Shepherd is one of the most unique books I have ever read, and while I KNOW it won't be for everyone, it blew me away! I lovedAll This & More by Peng Shepherd is one of the most unique books I have ever read, and while I KNOW it won't be for everyone, it blew me away! I loved the Choose Your Own Adventure books when I was younger, and this was a more adult and complex take on that. I did not love Marsh all the time, but I could certainly understand the draw to make your life absolutely perfect. Instead of jumping around the way I would have in a CYOA book, I decided to read straight through since I was listening to the audiobook. This did get repetitive at the end and a little weird, but I still loved it.
The audio is narrated by Helen Laser, and I thought she did an excellent job! She certainly made me connect to Marsh more as a character, and she was also just really easy and fun to listen to. Due to the format, I would definitely have a copy of the physical book as well, and during the card portion, there were actually pictures of the cards in the book which I thought was really cool. I don't know how it would work, but I think All This & More would be awesome to see on TV too, especially as something like a series. This would make an excellent book club choice and I think it would garner lots of discussion. Shepherd made an instant fan in me with such a clever and unique novel!
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own....more
I don't even remember how I found The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker, but I am so glad I did! This sweeping tale takes place in both the I don't even remember how I found The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker, but I am so glad I did! This sweeping tale takes place in both the past and present with multiple viewpoints and a heaping of family drama. I loved the way the author tied at-home DNA tests into the narrative, and it heavily influenced the present-day storyline. The past sections include things that were happening at the time (1930s), and I knew without a doubt that it was true even before I read the acknowledgments. Some parts broke my heart, but I loved that Cecily was such a strong and tenacious young woman.
The audiobook is narrated by one of my favorites, Cassandra Campbell, and she did a beautiful job bringing this story and its characters to life. I would have enjoyed a full cast since there are SO many viewpoints to the point where I got a little confused at times, but I always love Campbell and enjoyed listening to her immensely. I felt so many things throughout my journey with The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson and I loved all of the different storylines that were intertwined with hers. I wouldn't say they all would have been necessary, but I enjoyed them all the same and it made this a very intricate read. Read this if you enjoy historical fiction mixed with family drama and resilient female leads....more
I was seeing Mistakes We Never Made all over Booksta and finally saw enough rave reviews that I knew I had to read it. Well, little did I know this isI was seeing Mistakes We Never Made all over Booksta and finally saw enough rave reviews that I knew I had to read it. Well, little did I know this is Hannah Brown's fiction debut AND she was on The Bachelorette! Shows how much I watch that show (hint: not at all ...more
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