As is the norm with Anna Campbell novellas, I lap them up :) Nothing new here, this novella has all the warmth & comfort of her trademarks, and all thAs is the norm with Anna Campbell novellas, I lap them up :) Nothing new here, this novella has all the warmth & comfort of her trademarks, and all their faults too.
Pros -The writing! It flows beautifully and draws you into the Talbot's world - All the delicious angst.. And Giles, the lonely tormented hero <3
Cons -The friendship between the two men came off as badly developed and juvenile - I hated the ploy about the 'tutorials in kissing' -All the mentions of 'other women' going around XX
Merged review:
As is the norm with Anna Campbell novellas, I lap them up :) Nothing new here, this novella has all the warmth & comfort of her trademarks, and all their faults too.
Pros -The writing! It flows beautifully and draws you into the Talbot's world - All the delicious angst.. And Giles, the lonely tormented hero <3
Cons -The friendship between the two men came off as badly developed and juvenile - I hated the ploy about the 'tutorials in kissing' -All the mentions of 'other women' going around XX...more
3.5 stars Kudos to Shara Moon for bringing to light the life and contributions of the courageous Elizabeth McDuffie, unofficial confidante to Presiden3.5 stars Kudos to Shara Moon for bringing to light the life and contributions of the courageous Elizabeth McDuffie, unofficial confidante to President FDR about African American affairs.
The heroine is very much reluctantly thrust into this role, and the author did a great job at relaying her feelings - the sense of responsibility and helplessness, triumph at small wins, frustration at FDR's intractability, and the horror and crushing defeat at realizing that her family isn't safe outside of the White House's protective environment.
The only critique I have is that the book could have used tighter editing.
My thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow | William Morrow Paperbacks for the eARC. All opinions my own!...more
An adorable premise - A rottweiler and a petite FMC meet-cute with a tall MMC and a pomerian. The mangaka went all-in on this trope with their names -An adorable premise - A rottweiler and a petite FMC meet-cute with a tall MMC and a pomerian. The mangaka went all-in on this trope with their names - Monjuro and Tsubu chan.
I loved the art, but the rest of the storyline wasn't intriguing enough for me to pick up Volume 2.
Thanks to Kodansha Comics for having this arc available on NetGalley.All options my own!...more
A delightful and vividly detailed exploration of history, local folk tradition, literature and gastronomy on Japan's "less explored coast". T5 stars!
A delightful and vividly detailed exploration of history, local folk tradition, literature and gastronomy on Japan's "less explored coast". The authors unique voice (and dry humour) adds to this charming travelogue, and I - already familiar with many facets discussed - lapped it up. While this was a comfort read for me, I wonder if the addition of some photographs would have enriched the experience of the unfamiliar reader.
While not shying away from controversial (and hardly discussed in the mainstream) topics, I particularly enjoyed the authors take on western explorers and the Japanese sensibilities.
My thanks to the author and Netgalley for the eArc. All opinions my own...more
It's astounding how Alexandra Vasti's novellas can pack a punch in 100 pages! Robert Vane is precious (and endlessly protective and asks for directionIt's astounding how Alexandra Vasti's novellas can pack a punch in 100 pages! Robert Vane is precious (and endlessly protective and asks for direction) and needs to be protected at all costs....more
Kat Sterling just instinctively knows how to create an atmosphere, and I eagerly look forward to herA cozy snowed-in forced proximity winter romance!
Kat Sterling just instinctively knows how to create an atmosphere, and I eagerly look forward to her works. Unfortunately the connection between the couple (despite being childhood friends) felt a little underdeveloped, and even though there were things happening - there wasn't enough emotional forward momentum with the plot
Thank you for the eArc, all opinions my own...more
Requested an ARC for a slice of 90s nostalgia and the artwork. The narrative felt disjointed and didn't hook me at all.
Thank you Netgalley an3 Stars
Requested an ARC for a slice of 90s nostalgia and the artwork. The narrative felt disjointed and didn't hook me at all.
Thank you Netgalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press | Ten Speed Graphic for a copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own...more
Very well researched (the references make up half the page count!), its repeat readibility suffers as we trudge through the parade of legal 3.5 Stars
Very well researched (the references make up half the page count!), its repeat readibility suffers as we trudge through the parade of legal cases and newspaper articles. It's not a boring book per se, but I would've personally preferred this heavy subject to be tackled in a more effervescent and witty manner.
Oh well! To witness the foibles of human nature and women being screwed over by the legal system over and over again.
Thank you Netgalley and Steerforth for a copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own...more
June Hur has been an auto-read for me - I truly adore the sense of atmosphere and immersion she brings in her fictional worlds. Her third nov3.5 Stars
June Hur has been an auto-read for me - I truly adore the sense of atmosphere and immersion she brings in her fictional worlds. Her third novel A Crane Amongst Wolves is no different; it's only a matter of how much I enjoyed it.
While I applaud her taking on darker themes in a YA setting, the pacing and execution fail this ripper of a plot. Between plotting a royal coup, unraveling a serial assassin mystery, pulling off the rescue of a tyrant king's concubine - not to mention a slow burn romance - there's waaay too much happening in a limited page count. The narrative devices used to tie everything together in one final bundle felt cliched and left the reader all the more confused and underwhelmed.
Like the fact that the prince commandeering prisoners to join in the revolt - why would they risk their lives and not just run for the hills? Like agonizing over the coup hinging on the King leaving the capital - and he doesn't, but yet, nothing changes.
Thank you Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends for a copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own...more
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