Two kids on a road trip with a grandpa and two talking animals -- a bat and a squirrel. What's not to like?
The goal is to visit family from their indTwo kids on a road trip with a grandpa and two talking animals -- a bat and a squirrel. What's not to like?
The goal is to visit family from their indigenous nation families while also transporting the bat elder to an important matchup of Animals vs. Birds.
There are moments of crisis and those of comedy along the way. The route begins in Chicago and heads west on I-80, then south on I-35 into NE Kansas. Those roads are very familiar to me. From Kansas, the route goes into Oklahoma and then SE to the Atlanta area.
In pursuit is a wannabe Youtuber and a mysterious tall, hairy someone. Who could it be?
Cynthia Leitich Smith has given us a family-friendly folklore tale that will warm your heart and remind you of the plight of those who live among us with indigenous ancestors.
Thank you to Heartdrum by HarperCollins and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review....more
Be careful what you wish for. It just might come true in unexpected ways.
When Anna makes a wish on a magic sapphire necklace to be married to the handBe careful what you wish for. It just might come true in unexpected ways.
When Anna makes a wish on a magic sapphire necklace to be married to the handsome enigmatic Max Barone, she wakes up in his bed on their 7th anniversary. Everyone in that timeline, including Max, is living that life. Life is good, but she has reservations. What should Anna do? Go along with it or try to get the life she wants without "cheating." What would you do?
This new episode in the Ghosted series is my favorite so far. The fairytale magic and the romantic settings are winsome and engaging. And the jewelry. . . To. Die. For.
The narration by Amanda Ronconi and Will Watt is top notch.
As with other titles in the series, for me there are too many spicy details. So, if you are not a fan of hot tamale romances, then steer clear.
Thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own....more
To love someone means to see them as God intended them. ~ Dostoevsky
A magic pocket watch transports Fiona Abry to a tropical island. The inhabitants aTo love someone means to see them as God intended them. ~ Dostoevsky
A magic pocket watch transports Fiona Abry to a tropical island. The inhabitants are truly off the grid and one of them is Aaron McCormick - the man of her dreams. Too bad she is inhabiting the body of his wife Becca (Quantum Leap anyone?). The two share an instant soulmate connection, but what a conundrum. Aaron is only in her dreams. In real life, her best friend Max is lobbying for a new role as her Numero Uno. Life is complicated! I loved the family connections in this one with Fiona's having a daughter named Mila and the two kids on the island -- teenager Amy and toddler Sean. Also Aaron's claim to fame was unique and fit him so well! And the watch business is quite fascinating. The special edition watch that Fiona designs sounds like a showstopper! While I felt this one got bogged down a bit in the middle --and for awhile it seems like the dream world will stay there for good. Hang on, though, as there is an epic finish to this one. For me, this was my favorite yet in the "Ghosted" series. Looking forward to Book #4! ⌚
A big thank you to Swift & Lewis Publishing, LLC for both a digital and audio copy in exchange for an honest review. Happy publication week!...more
East of Takayakushi Street, south of Tominokoji Street, west of Rokkaku Street, North of Fuyacho Street, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto.
If you hear about NakagyoEast of Takayakushi Street, south of Tominokoji Street, west of Rokkaku Street, North of Fuyacho Street, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto.
If you hear about Nakagyo Kokoro Clinic for the Soul from a former colleague's younger brother's wife's cousin's company's client's client. . . If you can find the building at the above address. . . If you can get through the door. . . If you get a chance to explain your condition to the doctor. . .
You will hear these words, We'll prescribe you a cat.
From the moment I saw this title, I knew I had to read this book and I am glad I gave it a try. For cat lovers this will be a pleasant escape. Each chapter features a different "patient" with a unique set of circumstances. The doctor gives each of them a different cat. While they are taking the prescription, each person finds that the cat has changed their life in unexpected ways. For many things seem to get worse before getting better. In the end, we find a bit of crossover and bits of magical realism. For the most part the cats are behave along the lines of their particular breed. And they are very much like the cats we know -- living life on their own terms. Somehow it works. Apparently this is the beginning of a series. While I would have liked to see more tangible threads tying the stories in this first book together, I am still interested in reading more about these special cats! ...more
The bracelet is just symbolic. And it'll be there to remind us that we have each other to lean on, in case we forget once we're out there in the worldThe bracelet is just symbolic. And it'll be there to remind us that we have each other to lean on, in case we forget once we're out there in the world. And to remind us to keep doing things to make us feel alive.
Four friends (Liz, Melody, Bri, and Alyssa) were on their way to the prom and tragedy strikes. Nine years later, can the three who are left (Liz, Melody, and Bri) find forgiveness and a way forward? Liz, Melody and Bri are all carrying the baggage of that prom night disaster. Can the charm bracelet they shared bring them back together once again? This is my favorite from Annie Rains yet and here is why:
This new romcom from Kirsty Greenwood earns a high score on the creativity scale.
Delphie is dead. Then she meets the love of her life, Jonah. MinutesThis new romcom from Kirsty Greenwood earns a high score on the creativity scale.
Delphie is dead. Then she meets the love of her life, Jonah. Minutes later Jonah is gone. Delphie's afterlife therapist sends her back to her old life on a technicality. She has ten days to get a kiss from Jonah.
Those ten days go by quickly. Delphie is quite a cranky MC. She does not go about looking for Jonah at all the way I would. For one thing, she doesn't even have a library card. What. In. The. World? While I was rooting for Delphie, I was not a fan of her crusty personality.
I was a big fan of the supporting characters like her elderly, nonverbal neighbor Mr. Yoon, tall, dark, and handsome Cooper (and his family!), the ever helpful librarian Aled, and many more. Kirsty Greenwood populates the narrative with a variety of folks at different stages in life. When Delphie is in need of support, one or more will come through.
This did not go exactly how I guessed it would, but Delphie does get her HEA. Reminded me a bit of Ghosted by Sarah Ready and one of my favorite movies "While You Were Sleeping."
Thank you to Berkley and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review....more
Don't read this book if you are trying to avoid dessert. Not only is our main character Sadie a pastry chef, but the narrative is full of baking similDon't read this book if you are trying to avoid dessert. Not only is our main character Sadie a pastry chef, but the narrative is full of baking similes. I myself am a big fan of a delectable dessert, so I plunged ahead. After a disastrous year where she lost a job, boyfriend, and her apartment; Sadie is ready to try anything. Desperate enough to try the vodka shot potion given her by a fortune-teller at a NYE party. She wishes for a do-over and wakes up like that last year never happened. Now what will she do to avoid the mistakes of the past year? It is hard work! There is a good amount of déjà vu as you might imagine. I appreciated the variations that would pop up while the cast of characters remained constant. What if Sadie discovers that she really didn't want what she thought she did? Will it be too late? Includes a strong #metoo thread, an adorable rescue kitten named Giocuso, and the most adorable boyfriend ever.
Thank you to Hachette Audio, Forever(Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for both audio and digital ARCS. All opinions are my own....more
By examining the cover of this new title by Rachel Linden, you can see evidence of some of the themes inside. Here are four things I loved about this By examining the cover of this new title by Rachel Linden, you can see evidence of some of the themes inside. Here are four things I loved about this food-infused story:
Sometimes when an author writes a new title outside their usual genre, the book is a disappointment. That is not the case with this recent release froSometimes when an author writes a new title outside their usual genre, the book is a disappointment. That is not the case with this recent release from Rea Frey. In fact, it is my favorite from her so far. A singular moment on a Florida beach will change Kate Baker's life forever -- or will it. In one timeline, Kate's daughter Olivia drowns in the ocean. In the other, Olivia emerges unscathed. Rea Frey works out each scenario in alternating chapters with the book sectioned off by the seasons. The supporting characters are the same in both story lines with differences in timing and other details. When I began reading this book I was actually on the way to Clearwater Beach in Florida--and this would make a perfect beach read. If you are a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Josie Silver, or Rebecca Serle you simply must try this book. ...more
Across town, moonlight shines into a window, falling upon a snow globe sitting on a stack of books. The glittery snow stirs, lifting into the liquid, Across town, moonlight shines into a window, falling upon a snow globe sitting on a stack of books. The glittery snow stirs, lifting into the liquid, surrounding the glass family in a flurry that lasts several minutes before once again settling into motionless silence.
You see it on the colorful cover -- the magic snow globe. Can this snow globe give unhappily married couple Norah and Jack a do-over? If they wake up in separate NYC apartments as Noel and Jonah, having forgotten their years together, what will happen to their dog Elliott? Will they get their HEA? You can bet that Courtney Cole will deliver a magical tale for the season. This one is made for the Hallmark Movie Channel. I enjoyed the clean romance and the hijinks of Elliott and his new buddy Moxie. The banter between Noel and Jonah is great fun and there is a supporting cast of lovable townspeople and personal assistants. This is my new favorite of Courtney Cole's yearly Christmas titles. If you enjoy this title, be sure to check out The Christmas Dress and Home for Christmas.
Thank you to Avon and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Happy Publication Day tomorrow -- November 14, 2023....more
Love is a net. It can catch you long after the person is no longer there.
Daphne has a box under her bed. Each paper in that box represents a past relaLove is a net. It can catch you long after the person is no longer there.
Daphne has a box under her bed. Each paper in that box represents a past relationship. In her purse she has a new piece of paper. It is different from all the others. If you have read Rebecca Serle before, you are well aware that she incorporates magical realism into her contemporary fiction. I am a fan since I picked up The Dinner List. For me this was one of her best. There are some surprises that I will avoid giving away. Did I guess how the book would end? Yes, but it did not matter. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. If you have not read this author before, this is a great place to start. There is love and a there is loss. Tissues were used. I found myself contemplating how I am living y own life. Isn't that one of the marks of a good story? I think so.
Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review....more
I have never thought about cake so much as when I was reading this book. The characters were talking about coconut cream cake and hummingbird cake andI have never thought about cake so much as when I was reading this book. The characters were talking about coconut cream cake and hummingbird cake and caramel apple cake and cupcakes of all kinds. Cake overload! On top of that there was a mysterious cookbook missing, a family heirloom called "The Book of Cakes." And I must also mention the cake recipes at the back of the book. See what I mean? Fortunately I have a sweet tooth and really like a well-made cake. Clearly Ella Dove knows her way around the kitchen. Her expertly made baked goods will help the person consuming the dessert to relive past events that brought joy. Ella is back in Dove Pond to solve a problem. She has nightmares in which a giant strawberry cupcake is chasing her and wakes up to pink frosting doodles on her skin. Clearly there is a broken relationship that needs to be mended. Ella assumes it is Angela Stewart -- owner of the missing "The Book of Cakes" and the person who once accused Ella of stealing it. How can she fix the problem when the Steward family is keeping her at arm's length, with the exception of her old boyfriend Gray Stewart. This book has some quite humorous situations as our Dove Pond friends work through the knots in various relationships. It was an entertaining read. Now I feel like I need to go bake something. ...more
I don't know what took me so long to try this one for myself. It is definitely as good as so many of my friends said it was in their reviews. MarcelluI don't know what took me so long to try this one for myself. It is definitely as good as so many of my friends said it was in their reviews. Marcellus the octopus is a star. The audiobook was so well done. Michael Urie deserves kudos for his octopus narration! Marin Ireland is the narrator representing our human character -- Tova Sullivan. She is a cleaner extraordinaire, but so lonely as a widow and still mourning the loss of her son when he was just eighteen. Just wait and see how Tova's life is changed with some help from Marcellus. Very impressive since this is a debut. Definitely an author to watch....more
The title of this book drew me in right away as I have a snow globe collection of my own. Some of my favorites have a Christmas theme. And I have beenThe title of this book drew me in right away as I have a snow globe collection of my own. Some of my favorites have a Christmas theme. And I have been a fan of "Groundhog Day" since it was first released. It was a perfect combination for me. I absolutely loved this story! Diana was a character I could relate to, Linus was simply adorable, and it was such a treat to have another person in the story thrown into the loop with her. I won't say who. It's a surprise. If you like time loops, I heartily recommend this book. ❄⛄...more
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