Molly the maid is back and now she's getting married to the man of her dreams and her favorite tv show is filming at her work! When it's di 3.5 stars
Molly the maid is back and now she's getting married to the man of her dreams and her favorite tv show is filming at her work! When it's discovered Molly owns a priceless item (that she didn't realize the value of) elation is quick to disappear when the item is stolen. This story is also told alongside Molly's grandmothers life story told in epistolary form.
I had to think about my rating on this one for a bit. While I think this book did a great job at almost being a prequel in some ways, filling in family history and such, it was very easy for me to stop listening for long periods of time. It almost felt like, Molly's mystery parts of the story weren't strong enough to be a full length novel, so we also got Gran's story instead. And it was great! But the book meandered a bit for my liking.
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After solving a murder and finding a whole new family, Vera Wong is content. Really! She's not bored at all and doesMy favorite senior sleuth is back!
After solving a murder and finding a whole new family, Vera Wong is content. Really! She's not bored at all and doesn't miss solving murders at all.... until she stumbles upon a suspicious suicide case and a whole new cast of suspects. But this time the stakes are higher as the more Vera investigates, the more she doesn't realize what she's getting into and the more dangerous things become.
I had a lot of fun listening to this book, Vera is such a fun character and I was glad we as readers got to return to her world. As usual she is nosy, cooks too much and meddles too much but I am all here for it. This book introduced her to a lot of things like social media and it was fun to follow along as she investigated the case. It didn't pack as much of an emotional punch for me as the last book, but I still had a great time reading and hope we get several more books featuring Vera.
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This book was such a surprise in the best way. The Love Haters follows Katie, a video producer sent to Florida to make a small documentary video on a This book was such a surprise in the best way. The Love Haters follows Katie, a video producer sent to Florida to make a small documentary video on a hero in the Coast Guard. The only problem? She wasn't supposed to go and her boss is the subjects brother. And she cannot swim. But faced with getting fired, Katie pursues and finds her life tangled with Hutch, her video subject.
I really liked this way more than I expected. I kept finding myself laughing out loud while listening because the humor just sneaks up on you. I've seen some people criticizing the body image issues in this book, but I thought they were handled incredibly well (especially when you read the entire book). Katie was such a fun heroine and I think a lot of people can relate to her story. I also loved the relationship between her and Hutch, I thought it was paced so well and the two of them were so great together. Aunt Rue is the auntie we all want in our lives. Some of the plot points near the end seemed extreme and then I reminded myself I am reading a fictional novel and just went with it and had a great time.
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Two writers are competing for the chance to write a memoir of a woman who was once very much in the public eye, but disappeared many years before. AliTwo writers are competing for the chance to write a memoir of a woman who was once very much in the public eye, but disappeared many years before. Alice is an upbeat optimistic journalist and Hayden is a Pulitzer Prize winning novelist. For a month, the two get to meet with Margaret Ives, interview her, and then pitch a book by the end. But the two of them have an iron clad NDA, and cannot share notes with each other.
This is the first Emily Henry book I've listened to on audiobook and I had a really great time. It's narrated by the audiobook megastar narrator Julia Whelan, and I just got sucked into the story. I told my friends, this is like a less problematic Evelyn Hugo in some ways, just more of a focus on the two writers falling in love than the memoir as a whole. I appreciate the balance Henry was able to give us with the memoir aspects and the other parts of the story. I thought Alice and Hayden were both great characters. I also am glad that with every book Henry puts out, she delivers something different but remains consistent in giving readers a great final product.
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The fourth installment in the Rip Through Time series, Death at a Highland Wedding follows Mallory and Duncan as they leave the city behind for the ScThe fourth installment in the Rip Through Time series, Death at a Highland Wedding follows Mallory and Duncan as they leave the city behind for the Scottish Highlands for the wedding of a family friend. Once they arrive at the countryside, Mallory finds herself in the middle of Detective Hugh McCreadie's family drama and soon, a murder takes place.
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors and this series is one of her strongest of her most recent works. After book 3, we got partial closure on some subjects, but still get to see Mallory living in Scotland 150 in the past. It's great how most of the characters who know about Mallory's time travel embrace it, where they make jokes and comparisons. The romance between Mallory and Duncan is the slowest of the slow burns, and taking forever to happen.
For some reason I didn't love this one as much as the first 3 books in the series. I can't place my finger on it just this second why, but this is still a very great series and one that I jump at the chance to read with every new book. Excited to see where this story and these characters finally land someday.
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It's funny because I saw the author post on social media this was her favorite of the series, but for me this was the weakest one of the thre 3 stars
It's funny because I saw the author post on social media this was her favorite of the series, but for me this was the weakest one of the three. Emily and Wendell have travelled to his kingdom and now rule it. Things seem rocky but fine at first, and then a curse sweeping the land threatens everyone. Wendell and Emily must figure out how to break the curse in order to save their kingdom.
As I was listening to this, I was thinking back to what I loved about the first book and the differences. In the first book, we had Emily investigating/discovering a "fae of the week" as I like to call it and making new friends in unlikely places. I really loved that aspect of the story more than this otherworld and politics. I think it's a personal preference for me, because of course any fae book you're going to see the court/higher fae and deal with their politics, but it didn't work as well for me in this one. Plus, my favorite character had minimal appearance and that may have swayed me a bit more.
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In book 5, when Finlay's elderly neighbor discovers a body buried in her backyard, she moves into Finlay's house while the police investigate her homeIn book 5, when Finlay's elderly neighbor discovers a body buried in her backyard, she moves into Finlay's house while the police investigate her home. At first Finlay and Vero are dismayed Mrs. Haggerty has moved it (as she is the neighborhood busybody). They also have no interest in being tied to a murder investigation. But as time goes by, Mrs. Haggerty turns out to be a great childcare provider and not as bad as they thought...
The Finlay Donovan series was one I fell in love with quickly, books 1 and 2 being among some of my favorite cozy mysteries. I didn't love book 3, and 4 was a big letdown. So when I saw a review of this book saying it was a return the beginning books, I had to see for myself. I am so glad I read that review because I had pretty much given up on this series. The plot where it was grand and convoluted in book 4, has returned to a simpler, more believable structure and we are back to spending more time with the main characters. Mrs. Haggerty and all her shenanigans were a lot of fun and I'm grateful the author went back to the basics of the series. Makes for much more enjoyable reading.
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So, I feel like this was more an idea of a book than an actual book. I hope that makes sense. The Ministry of Time is about a young woman who works onSo, I feel like this was more an idea of a book than an actual book. I hope that makes sense. The Ministry of Time is about a young woman who works on a top secret project where people from points in history are selected and then brought into our current time. Tasked with caring for a man from the mid 1800's, the two fall in love.
This was a book I was looking forward to, and then really nothing happened. Instead of time travel we got sitting around with a time travelled man but then they really don't go anywhere because they aren't allowed to. The characters were very strong, I really liked them all. But beyond character development, I really do need a bit more of a plot than whatever this was. I think this book was a really great idea, I just don't think the concept was executed as well as it could have been. Overall enjoyed it, but I will be forgetting a lot about it very soon.......more
I was a big fan of Liz Moore's Long Bright River when it came out and when I saw this won the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Award for Mystery, I bumped it up my TBR lisI was a big fan of Liz Moore's Long Bright River when it came out and when I saw this won the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Award for Mystery, I bumped it up my TBR list. Maybe I expected too much or didn't get what I expected, but instead of a mystery novel we got more of a literary historical fiction character study. Which is great! But I wanted more mystery from this instead of what felt like 20+ character POVs that I had to remember (while listening) and was expected to care about each and every one of them. I, in fact, did not care and want to know what happened to the missing kids and the clues along the way.
I will say Moore is a great writer and I am excited to read whatever she has coming next. I just may need to read a few reviews first before jumping in and not getting what the publishers advertised....more
I normally really love Sally Hepworth but this one fell a bit flat for me. The story of three foster sisters flashing back and forth from past to presI normally really love Sally Hepworth but this one fell a bit flat for me. The story of three foster sisters flashing back and forth from past to present. Having suffered abuse from their foster mother, the three sisters are shocked when 25 years later human remains are found under the home where they once lived and they must all face what happened years ago.
I thought this was very slowly paced, a lot of it was more character growth than we needed at the beginning of the book and then the second half was more mystery. I thought all of the characters were really interesting, but the actual way the story played out I thought wasn't very well done. It could be that I am in a reading slump at the moment, but honestly Hepworth has done better in the past imo.
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I was really enjoying this book, I was. Interesting characters and an intense story line. But then a plot twist was thrown in that was so far DNF @44%
I was really enjoying this book, I was. Interesting characters and an intense story line. But then a plot twist was thrown in that was so far fetched I just can't get past it.
I think a lot of people will enjoy this book so please if you are curious, read it for yourself. I've seen lots of positive reviews so I am fairly alone in my opinion.
ARC provided by publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review ...more
Boneyard Key is haunted, or at least that's what everyone says. Cassie left Orlando to move to Boneyard Key and doesn't believe in ghosts. But a peskyBoneyard Key is haunted, or at least that's what everyone says. Cassie left Orlando to move to Boneyard Key and doesn't believe in ghosts. But a pesky electricity problem makes it unable for her to work from home and she heads to her local coffee shop to use the free wifi. There she meets the owner Nick and while the two don't hit it off at first, constant interfering ghosts may change that.
I really liked Jen DeLuca's renaissance faire romance series and definitely wanted to give her cozy ghost romance series a try. This was really cute and I had fun following along on Cassie and Nick's romance. It reminded me almost of a haunted Hallmark kind of love story minus any cheesiness and I really grew to love all the characters, alive or dead. This book was also like a love letter to Florida from the author which I think Floridians might love.
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“Whatever this is…this impetus you have to help me right now, I know it’s a lie. You’re not kind, Blake, and I’ve had more than enough 3.75 stars!
“Whatever this is…this impetus you have to help me right now, I know it’s a lie. You’re not kind, Blake, and I’ve had more than enough lies in my life. I don’t want any more.�
Even though I have enjoyed the majority of this series, I shamefully did not really recall the main characters in this installment. Luckily we got a bit of a reminder at the beginning, and I honestly believe this book can be read as a standalone novel.
Wait For It is about a woman named Tiffany, who has three kids and an abusive husband. She had a very bad past encounter with her brother in law Blake, and now a year later when she needs help he’s the one who wants to step in. But Tiffany doesn’t trust easily, especially the man who paid her off and treated her like trash. It’s up to Blake to figure out a way to help Tiffany and do the right thing.
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“Listen to me,� he said. “I will never hurt you or touch you. I won’t put my hands on you unless you ask me. Beg me.� I gasped and fell back against the door, strength leaving my legs. “And I want you to beg me,� he said, still closer. “And I think someday you will.�
I found the best part about this book was the main characters and how flawed yet beautiful they both were. Both very much wanted someone to see through their hard exterior, and to be loved for who they truly were within. Granted, it took them both a while, because both of them had spent so many years building protective walls around their hearts.
O’Keefe delivers an intense, complicated romance filled with sensitive characters trying to change their lives for the better. You can’t help but root for this couple, they’ve dealt with so much crap in their lives and they deserve the best.
If you haven’t picked up a book in this series yet, make sure to buy this one!
“She was the miracle I was trying to hold on to.�
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A second chance romance between a royal bodyguard and a royal nanny. Laila and James had an affair years ago when working for monarchs Eddie and MonicA second chance romance between a royal bodyguard and a royal nanny. Laila and James had an affair years ago when working for monarchs Eddie and Monica, but it ended poorly when Laila admitted her feelings and James freaked out. Now years later, they find themselves working for Norweigian royals Magnus and Ella and their two children Bjorn and Tor. There's still an immediate spark between the two of them, but can Laila ever really trust James again?
Karina Halle is an author that never disappoints in her writing and her trademark compelling writing style still stands out in this book. My favorite parts of this book were Laila and her grandmother, it was really sweet and pulled at my heartstrings. The children were also really fun to read along with. I never really saw why Laila and James liked one another other than pure attraction: I would have liked more development of their relationship a level more than sexual chemistry. Overall really glad this book wa published and happy to read more by Karina in the future.
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I can always count on Katherine Center to deliver a solid, heartfelt romance novel.
The Rom-Commers follows aspiring screenwriter Emma who get 4 stars
I can always count on Katherine Center to deliver a solid, heartfelt romance novel.
The Rom-Commers follows aspiring screenwriter Emma who gets the chance to ghost write alongside her favorite famous screenwriter Charlie Yates. Except Charlie doesn't want help with his abysmal rom-com screenplay as he doesn't believe in love. But Emma doesn't back down from a challenge and for 6 weeks the two of them need to get along a deliver a great rom com by the end of it.
I really enjoyed listening to this book, but I had a feeling I would. Lots of really heart-felt moments and some comedy spread throughout. Most of the LA stuff the author got right, not 100% but enough to not make me a lifelong Angelino angry. I wish there had been a tad more romantic bits in a book called "The Rom-Commers" but it's still a very great story all around with interesting and compelling characters.
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Slow Dance is about friends Shiloh and Cary who were inseparable in high school, but now they haven't spoken in years. When their best frie 4.5 stars
Slow Dance is about friends Shiloh and Cary who were inseparable in high school, but now they haven't spoken in years. When their best friend gets married, the two are reunited at the wedding. But Shiloh doesn't know if Cary wants to know her anymore, and we flash back from the past to the present as we follow along their love story.
Rainbow Rowell is one of my all time favorite authors and I was glad to see she was writing adult contemporary fiction again. I listened to the audiobook which was wonderfully done, and had the best time listening along to Shiloh and Cary. Reading Rowell's books feels like being enveloped in a hug a lot of the time and this one felt like that too. I'm gonna be thinking about Cary and Shiloh for a long time.
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This book was even better than the first! The Truth About Him picks up exactly where the first book left off. Annie and 4.5 Bedrock stars
This book was even better than the first! The Truth About Him picks up exactly where the first book left off. Annie and Dylan continue their relationship, and while Annie has opened herself up to Dylan, Dylan begins to build walls to keep Annie out. Dylan's past has become his present, and all of the issues he has with his dad and his brother become reasons for him to leave Annie alone.
What I hoped would happen in this book did, we got more character development for both of the main characters! I loved learning more about Dylan and Annie's pasts because it led them to where they were in the present. The two also fought both of their survival and fleeing instincts and stuck together when everything in them was saying "run!".
I like how this book and these characters weren't about over the top drama. Yes they were in dramatic situations but I don't feel like anyone exacerbated them. With the exception of the beginning with a bang, the circumstances surrounded the characters and affected them, but didn't completely slam them. That make sense?
Anyways I read both of these books in one day and really enjoyed both of them. So get your one click ready to buy these two books!
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for review ...more
So, I am actually really mad at whomever decided to market this book as Romancing the Stone/Indiana Jones because it was neither of those things. ThosSo, I am actually really mad at whomever decided to market this book as Romancing the Stone/Indiana Jones because it was neither of those things. Those are adventure stories with lots of action: this was a boring archeological dig where not much action (other than sexual) happens.
I think this book had a lot of potential, and Jo Segura is a decent writer, but this story itself and the execution of the plot was lackluster. We had two such great characters that had decent chemistry (aside from some ick sex scenes, at least ick to me) and yet the actual story was not good! How do you take the really cool story of what these characters were looking for and then make it boring, I don't know. But after not much happening throughout 80% of the book and then a super-dramatic over the top turn in the last 20% is what brought the book down from 3 to 2 stars for me.
An ALC was provided via the Librarian ALC program at Libro.fm ...more
When Mercy's brother Gary shows up at her house incoherent and affected by magic, Mercy and Adam head to Montana to see if they can break the 4 stars
When Mercy's brother Gary shows up at her house incoherent and affected by magic, Mercy and Adam head to Montana to see if they can break the spell. There they find themselves trapped in a resort in the midst of a snowstorm with other guests of the lodge. But not everything is as it seems and Mercy and Adam must find a magical artifact before even worse things begin to happen.
Let me start this with I am being very kind with my 4 star rating. Any other author or series I probably would have rated much lower, but I absolutely love this series and Mercy. But this book really was not up to the standards of the other books in this series. It was very disjointed with bad pacing and took me a very long time to read. But it's like pizza, even when it's bad, it's good. And I'll always welcome more of these characters and this world into my life. I just hope the next installment in the series is more plot forward than this book. This book felt a lot like a side quest.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. This did not affect my opinions, thoughts, rating, review. ...more
![Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping [On a Dead Man] (Vera Wong, #2)](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1722635201l/215805924._SY75_.jpg)
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