tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66417031967744303752024-03-16T15:43:26.446-04:00Books Etc.Books. Life. Etc.Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.comBlogger1200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-15177001929199596302024-03-14T08:30:00.001-04:002024-03-14T08:30:00.138-04:00Review: The Cat Who Caught a Killer<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK55e5NfMmKFNIJZRNnyloabkkbRgE2GeYDub_trNVxai3fALNTNOj5PcGz5CnCubWEu3jVoPy7W7tsdvsEsoGCBxqwG5yk03BRh_WxrOcIrwWETvBlUAK33JccjDrvE4OERs5_US5ebYFdqXODeJhULOl95RjWMH6QExNqPVSpq9pxreJY-pDGGub__8l/s500/the%20cat%20who%20caught%20a%20killer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK55e5NfMmKFNIJZRNnyloabkkbRgE2GeYDub_trNVxai3fALNTNOj5PcGz5CnCubWEu3jVoPy7W7tsdvsEsoGCBxqwG5yk03BRh_WxrOcIrwWETvBlUAK33JccjDrvE4OERs5_US5ebYFdqXODeJhULOl95RjWMH6QExNqPVSpq9pxreJY-pDGGub__8l/s320/the%20cat%20who%20caught%20a%20killer.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br />Being a mystery fan, and one who enjoys some that are on the cozier side, how could I not be intrigued by a book that features a former cop and a TALKING CAT!? I heard about the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/362157-conrad-the-cat-detective" target="_blank">Conrad the Cat Detective series</a> when book two was released last year and since I was interested, PGC Books sent me the first book, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/438erHz" target="_blank">The Cat Who Caught a Killer</a></i>, to check out. L.T. Shearer’s first offering in the series should have been a winner but there was a lot that just didn’t land well enough to make me love it.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #cc0000;">Meet Conrad the cat. You’ve never met a detective like him before.<br />Neither has Lulu Lewis when he walks into her life one summer’s day. Mourning the recent death of her husband, the former police detective had expected a gentle retirement, quietly enjoying life on her new canal boat, The Lark, and visiting her mother-in-law Emily in a nearby care home.<br />But when Emily dies suddenly in suspicious circumstances, Lulu senses foul play and resolves to find out what really happened. And a remarkable cat named Conrad will be with her every step of the way...</span></blockquote>The writing in this book…well, it left a lot to be desired. I found it to be repetitive in a lot of places. There were words that were overused but also plot points. We learned about a lot of things that are toxic to cats. We were also told about people’s auras (something cats can see, apparently) all…the…time. And if I had to hear Lulu’s former colleague complain about how he couldn’t say things like he used to be able to (you know, in the “good old days”) and that the force thought he was a “dinosaur”, I was going to throw the book out the window. Poor, middle-aged white man, thinking the world is out to get him these days. Oh and we can’t forget that Lulu has a lot of money and doesn’t have any financial worries. <br /><br />I don’t always mind when I can figure out where the mystery is going but I saw the end of this one coming from a mile away. And it (the mystery, not me figuring it out) made me so mad. I wasn’t particularly enamoured with Lulu but I didn’t dislike her and I hated that she was dealing with such terrible circumstances and news. I wasn’t satisfied at the end when everything was revealed because I hated the pain that was caused and I wasn’t surprised.<br /><br />I don’t know if it’s because the audiobook narrator didn’t sound old enough but I was constantly forgetting that Lulu was probably in her late fifties, early sixties. Or maybe older. I’m really not sure. Should that have mattered? Nope, not at all. I didn’t mind that she was an older main character. I minded that it didn’t really seem like she was older. <br /><br />The other thing that really shouldn’t matter but does - there is zero information on L.T. Shearer so it’s clearly a pseudonym. Which is fine. But the little biography that is available is extremely careful about avoiding all gendered language. And not in the way that we should all be careful by not assuming gender or using harmful language. It makes me wonder if it’s a male author which would kind of make sense based on Lulu’s colleague’s attitude and how Lulu didn’t really seem like a fully formed character. <br /><br />So, no, <i>The Cat Who Caught a Killer</i> was not a winner for me. I kept listening to the book in part because the narrator, Imogen Church, was delightful. There was just enough of a hook in L.T. Shearer’s novel to keep me reading it but I don’t feel the urge to pick up the next book in the series. Not even a talking cat will entice me!<br /><br /><i>*A copy of this novel was provided by the Canadian distributors, PGC Books, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-34948087919113504242024-03-11T07:25:00.000-04:002024-03-11T07:25:00.255-04:00Review: A Love Song for Ricki Wilde<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgQjDstpDhHBPTI1-v_UlGuUqPhPak1Ajzf-J3XCuvyWcley-i0Oq92e3w6qvIFEhTWrrSojD6zgaozwEaNIUhmQnncVHD1uPa63IbW6272Yf4cP9tZAB1FANtGzaJACwMRtVh3y0EMWOI2yLd6qlJ2kLJLgmmJj_gngwUoQM19-ZOHLALbeaWH-d2GkZ/s1510/a%20love%20song%20for%20ricki%20wilde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgQjDstpDhHBPTI1-v_UlGuUqPhPak1Ajzf-J3XCuvyWcley-i0Oq92e3w6qvIFEhTWrrSojD6zgaozwEaNIUhmQnncVHD1uPa63IbW6272Yf4cP9tZAB1FANtGzaJACwMRtVh3y0EMWOI2yLd6qlJ2kLJLgmmJj_gngwUoQM19-ZOHLALbeaWH-d2GkZ/s320/a%20love%20song%20for%20ricki%20wilde.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />You know those books that you desperately want to finish because you want to know how it all wraps up but you also want the story to last forever because you know you’re not going to be ready to say goodbye? <i><a href="https://amzn.to/43hVYZj" target="_blank">A Love Song for Ricki Wilde</a></i> was one of those books for me. I absolutely adored Tia Williams’ latest novel and am so, so, so very glad I had the opportunity to read it.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #351c75;">Leap years are a strange, enchanted time. And for some, even a single February can be life-changing.<br />Ricki Wilde has many talents, but being a Wilde isn’t one of them. As the impulsive, artistic daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty, she’s the opposite of her famous socialite sisters. Where they’re long-stemmed roses, she’s a dandelion: an adorable bloom that’s actually a weed, born to float wherever the wind blows. In her bones, Ricki knows that somewhere, a different, more exciting life awaits her.<br />When regal nonagenarian, Ms. Della, invites her to rent the bottom floor of her Harlem brownstone, Ricki jumps at the chance for a fresh beginning. She leaves behind her family, wealth, and chaotic romantic decisions to realize her dream of opening a flower shop. And just beneath the surface of her new neighborhood, the music, stories and dazzling drama of the Harlem Renaissance still simmers.<br />One evening in February as the heady, curiously off-season scent of night-blooming jasmine fills the air, Ricki encounters a handsome, deeply mysterious stranger who knocks her world off balance in the most unexpected way.<br />Set against the backdrop of modern Harlem and Renaissance glamour, <i>A Love Song for Ricki Wilde</i> is a swoon-worthy love story of two passionate artists drawn to the magic, romance, and opportunity of New York, and whose lives are uniquely and irreversibly linked.</span></blockquote>I loved Ricki. I desperately wanted to be her friend. And visit her flower shop, Wilde Things, because it sounded like an amazing place to hang out in. I was sad that Ricki’s family couldn’t see how great she was but so happy that she created her own family with Ms. Della and Tuesday. I’m a big fan of the found family storyline. And Ms. Della! Oh, how I loved her too. <br /><br />I’ve only been to New York City once and it was a very quick trip for a book conference/expo/event thingy so I didn’t have a whole lot of time to explore. I definitely didn’t get to Harlem. So, I loved being able to walk the streets with Ricki and learn about her new neighbourhood right alongside her. I especially loved that she was learning the history of the area <i>and </i>was able to find a really amazing way to feature the history and her flowers at the same time. Brilliant. <br /><br />Speaking of the history, it was fun to see Harlem during its heyday in Breeze’s sections early on in the book. It sounded like an absolutely wild time to be alive. I’m going to have to seek out some historical fiction about the Harlem Renaissance now!<br /><br />I don’t want to get too into it because it’s all part of the magic of this novel but there’s a hint of magic realism in this story. If you’re not able to set aside your realistic notions and open your mind, this may not be the book for you. But if you’re intrigued by a little mystery and Leap Year magic? Oh, you’re going to want to pick this one up. I wasn’t sure how Williams was going to bring everything together and I was surprised and delighted with how she did.<br /><br />And the romance? Holy smokes, it was electric. Ricki and Ezra were magical together. (Yes, this review was brought to you by the word "magic.") It was a wee bit intense but that worked for a couple of reasons. First, they’re intense people who feel things deeply. Second, they’re soulmates and it can be a heady thing when you first meet your soulmate. Third, well, I can’t tell you that without giving things away. There was a slow burn that absolutely exploded when they finally gave into the attraction they were feeling for each other. I didn’t even notice the slowness because there was so much build up in the rest of the story that was well done and very necessary. <br /><br /><i>A Love Song for Ricki Wilde</i> was an amazing novel and I loved the time I spent reading Tia Williams’ latest offering. It’s an enchanting romance, in all senses of the word, with Leap Year magic, fantastic writing, and strong characters all wrapped up in a love story. Check it out!<br /><br /><i>*A print copy of this novel was provided by the Canadian distributor, HBG Canada, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-47333742960082797182024-03-07T07:40:00.001-05:002024-03-07T07:40:00.140-05:00Review: Kilt Trip<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95uXqhyphenhyphenwoRQn8IFTuYer1vEewdV0aKxuA40mwJ42lZtPa6vCcQCiXpR5mz2NxQPYAb7ZeXdiIepnPow8DdaD9VmsUGeEqs0Wq7mFc49XoxM1TOs1fs7NfMePntWK1p4p7GOe-3TA8riTk9qj_GYGfUjR3xpVyZNqe7XUrvOY5YQG34YwGsWHBiK5Cjse_/s3200/kilt%20trip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95uXqhyphenhyphenwoRQn8IFTuYer1vEewdV0aKxuA40mwJ42lZtPa6vCcQCiXpR5mz2NxQPYAb7ZeXdiIepnPow8DdaD9VmsUGeEqs0Wq7mFc49XoxM1TOs1fs7NfMePntWK1p4p7GOe-3TA8riTk9qj_GYGfUjR3xpVyZNqe7XUrvOY5YQG34YwGsWHBiK5Cjse_/s320/kilt%20trip.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Ah, Scotland. As I write this, Google Photos are reminding me that I was in Scotland for the first time four years ago. And I’m also still working through posting some recent trip photos from my trip to England and Scotland in December. So, while I always love reading books set in Scotland, it was an especially lovely (and wanderlust inducing) time to read Alexandra Kiley’s debut novel <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3P4gTZM" target="_blank">Kilt Trip</a></i>. I had really been looking forward to this book and it ended up being a nice romance to get lost in while wishing I was exploring Scotland in person again instead of through the pages of a book.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #38761d;">Ready or Scot...<br />Globetrotter Addie Macrae always follows her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she jet sets around the world—anywhere but Scotland. But when she’s sent on assignment to help a struggling family-run tour company in the Highlands—and save her own job—Addie packs away her emotional baggage and turns on the professional charm.<br />Rugged as the land he loves, Logan Sutherland’s greatest joy is sharing the beauty of Scotland’s hidden gems…even if it means a wee bit of red ink on the company’s bottom line. The last thing Logan wants is some American “expert” pushing tourist traps and perpetuating myths about the Loch Ness Monster—especially when Addie never leaves her desk to experience the country for herself.<br />As they wage an office war, Logan discovers Addie’s secret connection to Scotland: a handful of faded Polaroids of her late mother. Hoping for a truce, he creates a private tour to the places in the pictures to help Addie find closure and appreciate the enchantment in less-traveled destinations, never expecting the off-limits attraction sparking between them. But Addie’s contract is almost up, and magic won’t pay the bills. They can’t afford distractions, but how can Addie do her job if she hasn’t explored all Scotland—and Logan—have to offer?</span></blockquote>OK, so, while this book was a lovely little romance, I was let down by it. Was it because my expectations were so freaking high? Perhaps. But it started off with tropes that I do not like at all and it was really hard to bring me back from that. I don’t love enemies to lovers and I don’t love when a character waltzes into another’s world and assumes they know best (it’s why some Hallmark movies are so terrible to me). I actually stopped reading a book before the holidays because it started a lot like this one but I persevered with Kiley's because 1. The book was set in Scotland and 2. A trusted friend told me it got better. It wasn’t as “better” as I wanted but I managed and was treated to a perfectly respectable romance but one that won’t stick with me.<br /><br />I don’t want to focus on the negatives but I <i>do </i>want to illustrate what didn’t work for me at the start of this book. It just seems fair to explore it so you can decide if it’s something that will also be a problem for you or is something that you don’t mind at all. That’s the beauty of books - some people love them, some people don’t. I want you to make your own call here! So, first of all, Addie is late to joining a tour at the start of the story. Which, you know, happens. Part of why she was late though was because the airline lost her suitcase. The woman works for a travel consultancy agency and travels All. The. Time. There is no way she would have checked a suitcase! Anyway. Because she was late, she can’t find the start of the tour so she’s mentally docking points. First of all, if she was on time she’d have seen the group of folks waiting for the tour. Second of all, I’ve been to the exact spot she is supposed to be and I don’t think it's all that difficult to find. Then I realize the tour is literally just bringing people up Calton Hill and learning a little bit about it from a guide. A guide who runs tours that are supposed to be exploring “hidden gems” of Edinburgh. Calton Hill is not hidden. It’s very visible (and, fun fact, was created by the ash of the volcano that Edinburgh Castle now sits on) and has a number of monuments you can see from all over the city. And then when Addie finally meets the staff of the company she’s there to makeover, she assumes she knows best and everything they have to say is stupid and won’t make them any money. I would have LOVED to find a tour company like Logan’s who actually <i>did </i>find some of the hidden gems when I was in Edinburgh because I know there are tons of things to see that are off the beaten path (which I also explored and loved). <br /><br />And speaking of her work. I have no idea what Addie was actually supposed to be doing. Making the tour company better and more profitable, sure. But if the client (Logan and his family) are set on something, shouldn’t she try to see if it can work instead of dismissing it immediately? Her boss was even worse. I used to work for a PR agency and we’d provide our expertise and opinions but, in the end, what the client wanted, the client got. The woman’s never been to Edinburgh and she thinks she’s an expert? It was just really hard for me to get over how frustrated that made me. Logan was just as bad, though, and wouldn’t listen to anything Addie had to say and was acting like a sulky teenage boy. So many people want a balance of big attractions and little known spots and he didn’t seem to grasp that. <br /><br />The book looks like it should be a rom com, given the bright, happy, illustrated cover. It’s definitely firmly in the romance category, though there are a few humorous moments that are wacky as you’d expect from a rom com. The issues Addie had to work through (grief over the death of her mother and traveling to Scotland without her, and so on), made the story much heavier than you would expect. It’s not a bad thing, just a case of, don’t judge the romance by the cover. <br /><br />The thing that saved this book for me was the setting. Surprise, surprise! I loved being able to “visit” places I had just been (Edinburgh and Stirling Castles and Edinburgh itself) while traveling to other spots in Scotland that I wasn’t able to visit. The atmosphere was wonderful and it’s a great armchair travel book if you’re feeling the wanderlust. Just know you’re going to want to book a trip to Scotland immediately if it’s anywhere on your travel bucket list!<br /><br />While <i>Kilt Trip</i> wasn’t a winner for me, that’s not to say you won’t enjoy Alexandra Kiley’s debut novel. It was a fine romance with an amazing setting that I think other romance readers would enjoy.<br /><br /><i>*An egalley was provided by the publisher, HTP Books, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-6638929589527046302024-03-05T07:27:00.000-05:002024-03-05T07:27:00.141-05:00Review: Bury the Lead<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDezp2jbuxtE0h-DCrp5Lzs-cHrgAk6Q7fzrwwPVvxiH9xmJnNDQ7eMXrA_Ul9C3pbMUI3zvy14hdUEKMbVuJ947DFs8cBGd9nvACReyorCT8HKk6abb1IWR2KXkqnerJTSGQAsx8AVWPZuVcq74V3yeSVdad32zBFgazkGq1l5cww2EUgD93N-mHiVZ2/s400/bury%20the%20lead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDezp2jbuxtE0h-DCrp5Lzs-cHrgAk6Q7fzrwwPVvxiH9xmJnNDQ7eMXrA_Ul9C3pbMUI3zvy14hdUEKMbVuJ947DFs8cBGd9nvACReyorCT8HKk6abb1IWR2KXkqnerJTSGQAsx8AVWPZuVcq74V3yeSVdad32zBFgazkGq1l5cww2EUgD93N-mHiVZ2/s320/bury%20the%20lead.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />I’ve been on a real mystery kick the last few years so was thrilled when two Canadian authors I love teamed up to write <i><a href="https://amzn.to/4c2hMfa" target="_blank">Bury the Lead</a></i>, the start of a mystery series that features a small-town journalist. This novel, written by Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti, was one of my most anticipated of the year and I’m so thrilled to say it absolutely lived up to my expectations.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #990000;">A big-city journalist joins the staff of a small-town paper in cottage country and finds a community full of secrets … and murder. Cat Conway has recently returned to Port Ellis to work as a reporter at the <i>Quill & Packet</i> . She’s fled the tattered remains of her high-profile career and bad divorce for the holiday town of her childhood, famous for its butter tarts, theatre, and a century-old feud. One of Cat’s first assignments is to interview legendary actor Eliot Fraser, the lead in the theatre’s season opener of <i>Inherit the Wind</i>. When Eliot ends up dead onstage on opening night, the curtain rises on the sleepy town’s secrets. The suspects include the actor whose career Eliot ruined, the ex-wife he betrayed, the women he abused, and even the baker he wronged. With the attention of the world on Port Ellis, this story could be Cat’s chance to restore her reputation. But the police think she’s a suspect, and the murderer wants to kill the story―and her too. Can Cat solve the mystery before she loses her job or becomes the next victim of a killer with a theatrical bent for vengeance?</span></blockquote><p></p><p>I did not see the end of this mystery coming at all! Hilton and Renzetti left cookie crumbs which I, personally, only realized were there after the story was tied up. Which I loved! There are times when I’m thrilled to have figured out whodunit and there are times I’m thrilled to be completely in the dark and have the author(s) deliver the resolution in a tidy little package. I probably would have been happy with either in this case, honestly, because I loved the book and the writing so much, but I did like that it wasn’t easy to spot who the murderer was. I had fun tracking down the clues for the story with Cat and really enjoyed the resolution (as much as one can enjoy reading about murder and finding out someone in town is guilty of killing someone else…). <br /><br />I’m not always a fan of the amateur sleuth so I wondered how I would feel about Cat, who is not a law professional, working to solve a mystery. Turns out, it was perfection. She didn’t get in the way of the investigation the cops were running. She just stayed in her own lane and chipped away at the many layers covering up the story she wanted to expose. It was well-balanced, not something every mystery writer can do, so I applaud Hilton and Renzetti for giving me a non-police officer mystery protagonist I can root for!<br /><br />Which brings me to the journalism side of things. I adored it. I admit that might be because I’m a tad biased as my partner is a journalist. It was a weird thing to read about now, I will admit, because there were massive layoffs at the paper he worked for and it’s a strange and kind of scary time for community news. I don’t think people realize how much we need those journalists and newspapers and they just keep disappearing. That terrifying and sad feeling aside, the authors nailed what it’s like to work in news, especially in a small town. Which didn’t surprise me at all as Renzetti is a former (fantastic) journalist herself who still provides pieces to news outlets today. There was one line where Cat’s talking about waiting for the police press conference regarding the murder and she says it will be held sometime “between now and the end of time” and, oof, isn’t that the truth! But even though the journalist angle had a special place in my heart, I think it’s a fresh take on the mystery genre with the bonus of showcasing how community journalism works. Take notes, friends, and pay attention to what’s happening to the news outlets in your area.<br /><br />I loved that this story also had some commentary on the world today. Eliot was an absolute garbage human being (not that he deserved to die) and his past (and present) brought up the #MeToo movement and how women have been treated for decades. The reason Cat got fired from her TV job is infuriating (and I definitely guessed it before it was revealed which is a bit sad as I hate that female reporters are still being targeted by idiot males). And having multiple generations commenting on what was happening in town (and had happened in the past) was genius. Things aren’t as black and white as we’d like but it should still be easy to determine what is good and bad behaviour.<br /><br />Finally, I loved the small town setting. I’ve said it before but it bears repeating here: I’m a small town girl and I really love when stories are set outside cities and I love it even more when the author(s) really “get” what it’s like to live in a small town. I figure Port Ellis is supposed to be somewhere in Muskoka and I grew up just south of the traditional Muskoka area but still in an area where cottagers flocked to in the summer. And reading this book felt right and made me miss summers at my grandparents’ house on the shores of Georgian Bay.<br /><br /><i>Bury the Lead</i> was an amazing novel and it’s definitely in the running to be a favourite read of 2024. Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti have written a thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery with a heroine who is as intriguing as she is intelligent and I cannot wait to read more in the <i>Quill & Packet</i> series. If you’re a mystery fan, you absolutely must pick up this novel.<br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, House of Anansi, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-11768205990860301212024-02-29T07:44:00.000-05:002024-02-29T07:44:00.151-05:00Review: How to Eat to Change How You Drink<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0i2w_3_QmKG50YWCelIQEh3rORunodq1_vUeY8Vv3dLUpz8WTNdse_bbL4PwiSL59UWq6OkDuS_rmnGe39bOVPiZeD_KcdOnio8KA7AO9tkFAPc-ljiSPQYzPUeCtSj9A2TyI29BNjSxlI5_g72TNxIm9aSzqvdq9OQpiXyln3YETnLZI5BBN5n8mBWT/s500/how%20to%20eat%20to%20change%20how%20you%20drink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0i2w_3_QmKG50YWCelIQEh3rORunodq1_vUeY8Vv3dLUpz8WTNdse_bbL4PwiSL59UWq6OkDuS_rmnGe39bOVPiZeD_KcdOnio8KA7AO9tkFAPc-ljiSPQYzPUeCtSj9A2TyI29BNjSxlI5_g72TNxIm9aSzqvdq9OQpiXyln3YETnLZI5BBN5n8mBWT/s320/how%20to%20eat%20to%20change%20how%20you%20drink.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />I can’t be the only person in their mid-late thirties whose body all of a sudden decided to not function the way it’s supposed to. For me, my digestive system seems to be having a few issues and I started to wonder (after many medical appointments and consultations with actual trained folks, not Dr. Google) if alcohol was sometimes a culprit. So, when I saw Brooke Scheller’s book <i>How to Eat to Change How You Drink: Heal Your Gut, Mend Your Mind, and Improve Nutrition to Change Your Relationship with Alcohol</i> was available to review, I thought, hm let’s give this a try. <br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #990000;">Let nutrition guide you to sobriety (or to just drinking a little less) with this guide and meal plan to reduce alcohol cravings and repair your health through food.<br />Trapped in alcohol's addictive grip, Dr. Brooke Scheller wanted a way out. For her, total sobriety was the answer to her problem, which she achieved by applying her skills as a doctor of nutrition, pairing her knowledge of nutrition with other integrative therapies to eliminate alcohol for good. Seeing the success in herself, she shifted her practice to help inspire others to explore a lifestyle with little to no alcohol. <br /><i>How to Eat to Change How You Drink</i> is a revolutionary guide to leverage food and nutrition to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption, develop mindfulness, and promote a healthier relationship with alcohol. Working through the book, readers will identify their drinking archetype and then learn the types of nutritional changes they can make to reduce alcohol cravings alongside behavior modification; they'll learn how alcohol affects their nutritional status and can contribute to health symptoms ranging from fatigue, to hormonal imbalances, digestive irregularities, weight gain, thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases and more; and they'll restore their nutritional status and repair key body systems after moderate to heavy alcohol consumption. <br />This book will change the way we think about and address alcohol intake in our society-- through the lens of nutrition. </span></blockquote>I requested this book right before leaving for an almost 3 week vacation and it was waiting for me when I got home. I say this because I may not have looked quite as closely at the book’s details or Scheller’s background as I may normally have done. And I say <i>that </i>because I wasn’t expecting the book to come from a place of sobriety more than dietary. I didn’t really want/need to be reading about the addictive qualities of alcohol nor did I need to find out what kind of drinker I am. I know that, duh, that’s all part of how alcohol affects your body but the tone of the book definitely came across as, “this is why you should become sober” not so much “this is why cutting back can be beneficial to all of us.” Is that fair of me? To be frustrated that true sobriety was a larger focus than I wanted? I recognize that no, it may not be fair. <br /><br />I’ve been reading a few books on digestive health lately and some are far more accessible than others. Scheller’s fell somewhere in the middle. That said, I still didn’t quite get anything useful out of the gut health section. Again, this could very much be a personal thing. I’ve been trying for months to figure out my issues and I was really hoping for a nugget of information that could help and I just didn’t get one. <br /><br />The book’s divided into four parts to help break down this somewhat unwieldy topic and make it understandable for us laypeople. Part 1 talked about relationships with alcohol, leaning (in my opinion) too heavily on Scheller’s personal history. Part 2 focused on a “functional approach to sobriety” and discussed how alcohol can affect different parts of the body, like the gut and brain. Learning how to eat to change drinking habits was the focus of Part 3 and Part 4 gave the reader some recipes to try to support an “alcohol reduction plan”. <br /><br />I think Brooke Scheller’s book, <i>How to Eat to Change How You Drink</i>, would be a good one to pick up if you’re committed to completely cutting out alcohol and living a sober life or if you’re sober-curious and don’t have any other medical issues to worry about. It was an interesting enough read for me, confirming what I knew about some of the sneaky downsides of alcohol, but it wasn’t as applicable to my life as I would have liked.<br /><br /><i>*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-47199594807817974712024-02-22T07:38:00.001-05:002024-02-22T07:38:00.242-05:00Review: How You Get the Girl<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60xyZGKDGc2u_XHncsdrpkccYTu3LKOEkJdwAXCozeUOiWYcgYE4cHmRboQsHsNHj-v3Oamsfu6zqkWz8tx9mjhOCusRRuob2jD5r4V95hLJGcADtPp-MHK5zIc_c-pXiDVQfywO4qto_7C_McUunfioD5LZTjKpT6BFLYVN83YA9LLjvQNkc_SyqMOOS/s499/how%20you%20get%20the%20girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60xyZGKDGc2u_XHncsdrpkccYTu3LKOEkJdwAXCozeUOiWYcgYE4cHmRboQsHsNHj-v3Oamsfu6zqkWz8tx9mjhOCusRRuob2jD5r4V95hLJGcADtPp-MHK5zIc_c-pXiDVQfywO4qto_7C_McUunfioD5LZTjKpT6BFLYVN83YA9LLjvQNkc_SyqMOOS/s320/how%20you%20get%20the%20girl.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />I absolutely adored Anita Kelly’s novel<i> Love & Other Disasters</i> when I read it last year. Since I was a little late to the game, I didn’t realize there was a second book in the series (<i>Something Wild & Wonderful</i>) but I did sit up and take notice when I heard about <i><a href="https://amzn.to/49AqT5r" target="_blank">How You Get the Girl</a></i>, which was published on February 13. A romance? In the world of basketball? And a f/f romance, no less? Yes, please! I. Loved. It. Seriously. This book shot immediately to the top of the list for 2024 reads!<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #0c343d;">When smart-mouthed Vanessa Lerner joins the high school basketball team Julie Parker coaches, Julie’s ready for the challenge. What she’s not ready for is Vanessa’s new foster parent, Elle Cochrane—former University of Tennessee basketball star. While star-struck at first, soon Julie persuades Elle to step into the unfilled position of assistant coach for the year.<br />Even though Elle has stayed out of the basketball world since an injury ended her short-lived WNBA career, the gig might be a way to become closer to Vanessa—and to spend more time with Julie, who makes Elle laugh. As the coaches grow closer, Elle has a hard time understanding how Julie is single. When Julie reveals her lifelong insecurity about dating and how she wishes it was more like sports—being able to practice first—it sparks an intriguing idea. While Elle still doubts her abilities as a basketball coach, helping Julie figure out dating is definitely something she can do. But as the basketball season progresses, and lines grow increasingly blurred, Julie and Elle must decide to join the game—or retreat to the sidelines.</span></blockquote>Basketball romances are major catnip stories for me. I played when I was in high school but wasn’t good enough (or dedicated enough) to move any higher so I stuck to playing intramural ball when I was at university. One thing I loved about this story from the basketball perspective, other than the major nostalgia factor, was the absence of male posturing BS since there were no males playing the game. Everyone hitting the court was female or non-binary. It was refreshing and kind of helped…hm…reposition?...some of my thoughts. My experience playing ball in high school was much different than the players currently on Julie’s team. I was a straight, white girl playing basketball in a small town in the early 2000s and it was assumed that everyone else I played with was also straight and a girl (also white…we were not a racially diverse town). If anyone felt like maybe a label other than “straight” or even “female” applied to them? They definitely weren’t saying anything. And so I wonder about those players - not necessarily the ones I played with but just players everywhere - who feel like they have to conform to the patriarchal world of sports. <br /><br />In addition to talking about (sometimes explicitly, sometimes not) how to be female or non-binary in the world of sports, this novel also tackles some mental health topics. Elle’s torn ACL wasn’t the only reason she left the WNBA when she did - her mental health was just as damaged as her physical health. She’d worked hard to manage it and struggled mightily when her “management” failed and she found herself in a depressive episode (it’s not super dark or graphic but please be kind to yourself if you also have depression and are reading this book). I liked how Kelly had Julie approach this. She didn’t have a magical answer and couldn’t “fix” Elle, and Elle also couldn’t figure out how to let Julie in. In short, they both had shit to figure out and it was refreshing as hell. Who knows how best to be with a new partner in the best of circumstances let alone when you’re navigating a depressive episode? It felt realistic and I was here for it.<br /><br />In the Reader’s Guide, Kelly talks about Happily Ever Afters (HEA) vs Happily For Now (HFN). I consider true romances to have a HEA (I even called my romance book club at work “Happily Ever After”) but HFNs totally fit the bill too. I think we focus on the forever aspect of “after” because we want to be optimistic and believe that the couple we’ve spent a few hundred pages with will have a wonderful life, even when we know that life isn’t easy for anyone. But that doesn’t mean that HFNs should be frowned upon. It’s simply more realistic to expect the couple to have to do more work to establish their relationship since they just got together (and may have even had that dreaded third act breakup!). But, for some reason, probably because we’re dumb humans, we want that fairy tale ending. I liked that Kelly made me think more about HEA vs HFN, even as someone who’s always been OK with a Happily For Now. <br /><br />I freaking loved Julie and Elle. Loved. Them. I mean, come on. Julie had had a massive crush on Elle since she was 14 (and Elle 18, if my math/memory is correct) and now she had a shot at DATING her? Gah. I’m swooning. I was into the entire relationship. The tension as they flirted, and then fake/practice dated, and then for-real dated. So damn good. I loved everything about the whole thing. LOVED. <br /><br /><i>How You Get the Girl</i> was an absolute delight and I loved every second I spent reading Anita Kelly’s latest novel. Whether you’re here for the basketball or the romance (or both), you’ll love it too.<br /><br /><i>*An egalley was provided via NetGalley by Forever and a print copy was provided by HBG Canada, both in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-10577632363484088202024-02-20T07:34:00.001-05:002024-02-20T07:34:00.237-05:00Review: The Boy Who Cried Bear<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy6-hVGKpqPTxvAxPLE_XjoTAddaN0l-XZrIYvtNUP3g9TtsNVloJtbcumSbc_WNsYvLE3AHrr_mnLjXGZid4NQK9k3xEm54J_HwTcrbIlT2AbGFwEKXb8_qkvY-0psbEuhXAsLxFlX3bVpZfgZ-SAgXadPMd-Y3cbjADS5BWcqmRGuvM1b2y6mYjY3d9/s499/the%20boy%20who%20cried%20bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="329" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy6-hVGKpqPTxvAxPLE_XjoTAddaN0l-XZrIYvtNUP3g9TtsNVloJtbcumSbc_WNsYvLE3AHrr_mnLjXGZid4NQK9k3xEm54J_HwTcrbIlT2AbGFwEKXb8_qkvY-0psbEuhXAsLxFlX3bVpZfgZ-SAgXadPMd-Y3cbjADS5BWcqmRGuvM1b2y6mYjY3d9/s320/the%20boy%20who%20cried%20bear.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it lately, but I sure am glad I came across Kelley Armstrong’s <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/164879-rockton-casey-duncan" target="_blank">Rockton series</a> and I’m doubly glad she’s kept the characters around for <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/355465-haven-s-rock" target="_blank">Haven’s Rock</a>, a spin-off series that’s not really a spin-off just kinda a continuation of a series but with a different location. Or something. However you want to look at it, I was thrilled to have the chance to hang out with Casey and Dalton in <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3OQKNRc" target="_blank">The Boy Who Cried Bear</a></i>, the second book in Armstrong’s Haven’s Rock series.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #0b5394;">Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest. And it’s supposed to be, being that it’s a refuge for those who need to disappear. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel at home in their new town, which reminds them of where they first met in Rockton. And while they know how to navigate the woods and its various dangers, other residents don’t. Which is why people aren't allowed to wander off alone.<br />When Max, the town’s youngest resident—taught to track animals by Eric—fears a bear is stalking a hiking party, alarms are raised. Even stranger, the ten-year-old swears the bear had human eyes. Casey and Eric know the dangers a bear can present, so they’re taking it seriously. But odd occurrences are happening all around them, and when a dead body turns up, they’re not sure what they’re up against.</span></blockquote>Since this is only the second book in the Haven’s Rock series, there’s still a lot to learn about the new hidden town. Casey and Dalton are figuring out how to run the town, who on their staff they can trust implicitly, and, you know, why dead bodies keep turning up. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be in charge of protecting folks who have escaped really crappy circumstances, only to have some people disappear and others wind up dead. Turns out living in the middle of nowhere doesn’t mean you’re safe from murder. Who knew?!<br /><br />The book’s description is vague about the mystery in this one so I won't go into any specific details either. I want you to be as surprised as I was with the twists and turns. I will say that I’m really curious to see what book three will bring (even though I literally just finished book two before I started writing this…the dangers of anticipated books, eh? That you’re so excited about them and then rush through reading it because you just can’t help yourself and now you have to wait for the next one) because, well, there’s a bit of a cliffhanger at the end. Or…maybe not “cliffhanger” but…the bow isn’t as neat as you might want from a mystery. As a mystery reader, I’m a little annoyed but as a reader of this particular series? I totally get it. And I trust that Armstrong has a plan and all will, eventually, be revealed. (But seriously…why do we love book series so much? I think we’re all masochists.)<br /><br />I love the characters in this series so much. There are a lot of them but they really do all have a purpose. It’s like Haven’s Rock itself. You wouldn’t be there - and definitely wouldn’t be staff - if you didn’t have a particular reason for being there. I loved being able to get more of a glimpse into Casey and Dalton’s married life (they have such a great, and unique, partnership) and see how some of the other former Rockton residents were faring. I will say there’s a side, more personal, storyline, in this one that is one I personally dislike but it’s very much a Me Thing, as much as I wish it hadn’t been brought into the series.<br /><br />There are a number of times biases, especially around race, come up in this particular story. Armstrong is White (or at least very much White presenting) but Casey is Asian Canadian (I think Chinese but admit I cannot recall exactly) and there are a few other characters who are not White. In this story, Anders and Yolanda talk about being one of the only Black people in their towns. And another resident spews some ridiculous (and harmful) BS right to Casey’s face about “you people” being smart. Ugh, just reading it makes me rage because I know there are real people out there making those same assumptions based solely on racial stereotypes.<br /><br />I really enjoyed <i>The Boy Who Cried Bear</i> and am so glad I saved it for a long weekend “treat” for myself. Kelley Armstrong has created a great series that’s so enjoyable (if you could call a series that features murders etc. “enjoyable”...) and I already cannot wait for the third installment. <br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Minotaur, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-47065253352763758612024-02-16T07:48:00.000-05:002024-02-16T07:48:00.138-05:00Review: A Real Somebody<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fj_JJLXU5O-4d2jh_rZgxULBI-jhIR9JBusiFssy-u7sIwu1MwSPYTaNN9bc957b4DLImVaD3bygK6kHfmoUx9G0eFFwaPmC1MI4Ux89NV2jFmQMXQYAG_zExdvIOPV3Ekg2lvRLwXqH1fyu4sbUDKhnFhBz0z_N6J1EnunTgGiDR7d1dCfLiOxCDyc2/s500/a%20real%20somebody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fj_JJLXU5O-4d2jh_rZgxULBI-jhIR9JBusiFssy-u7sIwu1MwSPYTaNN9bc957b4DLImVaD3bygK6kHfmoUx9G0eFFwaPmC1MI4Ux89NV2jFmQMXQYAG_zExdvIOPV3Ekg2lvRLwXqH1fyu4sbUDKhnFhBz0z_N6J1EnunTgGiDR7d1dCfLiOxCDyc2/s320/a%20real%20somebody.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />To know me is to know I love historical fiction. I’m pretty basic in my usual historical fiction tastes, tending to read all the WWI and WWII fiction, so I like to branch out every once and awhile. And when I find a Canadian historical fiction author writing a book set in Canada? I’m even more interested. I was intrigued by Deryn Collier’s novel <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3uwPFnA" target="_blank">A Real Somebody</a></i> because it was inspired by her aunt and took place in post-war Montreal. Unfortunately, the book did not thrill me and I eventually gave up reading it.<p></p><p>Here’s the book’s description:<br /></p><blockquote><span style="color: #990000;">Montreal, 1947. To support her once-prosperous family, June Grant joins a steno pool in a prestigious advertising firm. For June, it’s hard to imagine having the kind of life her parents want—the kind of life her sister Daisy has, with a well-off husband and two precocious kids.<br />But Daisy might not be a picture-perfect housewife after all. As June makes her own waves in the advertising world, she probes a hidden side of her sister’s life.<br />June’s discoveries upend everything she thought she knew about her sister while challenging her own inner conflict about pursuing her dreams versus living up to expectations. Being a dutiful housewife might mean something else entirely.<br />Based on the true story of the author’s aunt, <i>A Real Somebody</i> charts the journey of a talented young writer who dares to break the conventions of her time during one pivotal season of her life.</span></blockquote>I was really intrigued by the look at advertising in Montreal in the late 40s (I work in comms, of course I’m going to geek out over a look at advertising!) but it was such a small part of the story that even that couldn’t convince me to finish reading the book.<br /><br />I’m not sure if the reader was expected to know who June Grant was because I certainly didn’t. So, because I had no idea who she was, I wasn’t sure why I was supposed to care about June, the fictional character. And, let me tell you, it sucks to not care about a character’s life when you know they’re supposed to have been based on a real person - the author’s aunt, no less. I’m sure part of my frustration at June came from unintentionally putting my modern views on her life in the 40s. Times were different, I get it, but I was still annoyed at the treatment of women, among other things.<br /><br />I knew I wasn’t going to finish reading it when I had no desire to get back to the story. I tried to skim and read the last couple of chapters but the story seemed to have veered off in such a bizarre way and, even allowing for the fact that I didn’t read the whole thing, it ended strangely and abruptly. <br /><br />All that said, Collier’s writing wasn’t one of the reasons I stopped reading. I would be willing to give another of her novels a go if it seemed like a topic that would interest me. <br /><br /><i>A Real Somebody</i> was, unfortunately, a real miss for me. I wanted to enjoy Deryn Collier’s novel because it sounded like something I could really have a good time reading but the story completely missed the mark for me.<br /><br /><i>*A copy of this novel was provided by the Canadian distributors, Firefly, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.* </i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-57972224276161652542024-02-13T07:48:00.001-05:002024-02-13T07:48:00.145-05:00Review: With This Witch<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEURxoHUl1UzHdKkVwpcHmwLkdct5D-8si6rEvkK64qfumE7a1Ovhk1jM5WVB2An6F5o42uVuXvksYJBxofRnyertbZrdc1vPDAOGWwV7EAesX5XxNCqAW2z-kFX92TbQzK9dOjz1bRDfAObobvlFFBZ-sTvnpw-n3ScdsbxqsXsvOFYKg4lfin7jFXdQm/s2813/with%20this%20witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2813" data-original-width="1763" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEURxoHUl1UzHdKkVwpcHmwLkdct5D-8si6rEvkK64qfumE7a1Ovhk1jM5WVB2An6F5o42uVuXvksYJBxofRnyertbZrdc1vPDAOGWwV7EAesX5XxNCqAW2z-kFX92TbQzK9dOjz1bRDfAObobvlFFBZ-sTvnpw-n3ScdsbxqsXsvOFYKg4lfin7jFXdQm/s320/with%20this%20witch.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br />When a friend told me <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ullqA5" target="_blank">With This Witch</a></i> was a steamy, magical romance, I was all in and immediately signed myself up to receive an ARC of Isla Winter’s debut novel. It definitely hit the steamy mark but the rest of it didn’t <i>quite </i>thrill me as I wanted it to.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #20124d;">A marriage of convenience proves to be magically inconvenient, and no spell will get them out of it or calm their burning desires.<br />Being a legacy witch comes with expectations, and, unfortunately, when Gammy shares that she’s sick, Petra becomes the front-runner for the role of Premier Witch, a part she’s never really wanted. The inconvenient catch? Traditionally, the Premier Witch must be married, and a combative supernatural council member is only too happy to point out. Petra must now find a husband to prove she is serious about accepting the role. Oh, and she must do it in the next thirty days! If she fails, she loses everything.<br />Enter bar owner and current delicious demon representative on the council, Lachlan Grace. A close friend of Petra’s, Lachlan, has been drawn to her from the moment she walked into his bar. Battling his own demons from his past and tired of being just friends, Lachlan offers himself as an option for a marriage candidate. Will he be able to move out of the friend zone while also keeping his history in the past?<br />Now, thrust into supernatural politics with a looming deadline, Petra finds herself questioning what she wants in life, struggling with how to make her Gammy proud and keep in check the pesky feelings bubbling under the surface for a smoking hot demon at the same time. What’s a witch to do?</span></blockquote>OK - you have to know that I, like most sane people, don’t love writing less-than-positive book reviews. Especially when they’re novels by debut authors and/or that were self-published. But I don't think it's fair of me to only shout about the great books and ignore the ones that I didn’t love. <br /><br />I love me some witchy books because I’m always curious about how authors put their own spin on magical worlds, even if said world is like our human one and magical folk are living in it. For the most part, I was totally into the world Winter created. I loved that there were different types of creatures all living in town with the humans, who, for the most part, knew there were magical creatures hanging out around them. I wasn’t totally sure if there were more towns like Leeside or if it was the only one. I also didn’t grasp all of the magical rules - how come Petra could clean up her apartment but had to call Lachlan, a male, to change her car’s tire? - but I liked that there was a focus on spells, potions, and herbs for the witches. <br /><br />I think a big problem for me was I just didn’t understand anyone’s motivations. I never entirely understood why Petra never embraced her magic, knowing she was going to have to take over from her grandmother eventually. I didn’t quite get why Lachlan didn’t want to go back to the underworld or why he’d have to/felt like he should? That was part magical world confusion and part character confusion. The motivations of some important secondary characters were real head scratchers, which was tricky when they impacted the story SO much (yes, it’s vague but if I mention character names, it’ll be spoiled for you and that would be sad!). <br /><br />I also just could not grasp the timeline in this book. There were times it seemed like, based on the characters’ feelings on how things were going, that time was ticking merrily along but, in fact, it had been, like 24 hours. And other times when we zoomed along to two weeks later? Somehow? It made my head spin.<br /><br />I suppose I should also mention the romance in this romance novel, eh? I liked Petra and Lachlan together, even when they were refusing to admit they actually had real feelings for each other. I love fake dating tropes and find fake marriages a bit harder to swallow but the fact that they were friends for a few years prior to having to get hitched? That helped and there was clearly chemistry there. And did you catch me mentioning that this was a steamy book? Whew, baby. I found the sex scenes to be really well done.<br /><br />Overall, With This Witch was a good read. I’m hopeful Isla Winter can grow stronger as a writer with her second Leeside Witches book as I think she has an interesting and fun idea for her series. <br /><br /><i>*An egalley was provided by the author in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-22031745402488855392024-02-08T07:50:00.001-05:002024-02-08T07:50:00.146-05:00Review: Dream Chasers<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyzfaizy7K0ZRUzXkQPL15ORV8DN4qqfhgNuoRRv6AsEWRLpaGskTUFklrkGVAvM0-JB4nMoVbTiadt99vHgVESCLKvM03WvZLGH5RB_PEr_05rozTaTMFJMtQkhJD16KkyWCJwsFgR1M_NQuhHiHJyHycyUVB16pyebdxrmptckWR554WvOE49WwQvIp/s400/dream%20chasers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyzfaizy7K0ZRUzXkQPL15ORV8DN4qqfhgNuoRRv6AsEWRLpaGskTUFklrkGVAvM0-JB4nMoVbTiadt99vHgVESCLKvM03WvZLGH5RB_PEr_05rozTaTMFJMtQkhJD16KkyWCJwsFgR1M_NQuhHiHJyHycyUVB16pyebdxrmptckWR554WvOE49WwQvIp/s320/dream%20chasers.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />I’ve mentioned before that I’ve learned in the last few years that I’m not into thrillers but I <i>am </i>into crime/detective mysteries. And, boy, does knowing your own reading tastes improve your reading life or what! After going down the Louise Penny rabbit hole with a friend, I’ve been on a hunt for another Canadian mystery writer to read while waiting for the next Gamache novel (which will be this fall! Yay!). When I saw that Dundurn Press was repackaging Barbara Fradkin’s Inspector Green series, I thought, why not give this a whirl? I enjoyed the writing in <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3u2IjrR" target="_blank">Dream Chasers</a></i>, book six in the series, but struggled with the content of the mystery. I’m still intrigued enough to carry on with the series though.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #073763;">A seventeen-year-old sets out to meet her secret lover by Ottawa’s Hog’s Back Falls. Three days later, her body washes up in the shallows. The public fears a sexual predator is on the loose, but Inspector Green suspects a more personal connection.<br />His search for answers draws him into the world of elite young athletes, drugs, and teenage sexuality. Then a social worker who knows too much disappears, and blood is found in the house of a star with NHL prospects. Unless Green can unravel the truth, how many others will pay the ultimate price for a young man's dreams?</span></blockquote>What drew me into this story was the fact that it was a Canadian writer, setting her crime fiction in Canada. I loved that aspect of it. My best friend used to live in Ottawa so I recognized a lot of the place names and actually think I’ve been near where the murder occurred. It’s just always nice to read books set in Canada and I appreciated it a lot.<br /><br />Since I knew this was the sixth book in the series, I anticipated feeling a bit behind when it came to the characters - which was fine and didn’t bother me all that much. But, for some reason, my brain assumed some things might be updated with the republished version. This novel was originally published in 2007 and, news flash, that was a long time ago which becomes super apparent in genre fiction. I found it a bit jarring when I was reminded that this book took place so many years ago (asking if cell phones had video and photo capability, for example) and I couldn’t get my head around why a book was republished and not updated. (I am aware my head is the problem and my assumption that it should have been updated is probably wrong.)<br /><br />What made me both sad and mad was that the whole “his future will be ruined” thing with hockey players (and all athletes). Yeah, it’s still very much a thing in 2024. And that makes me rage. We know that this kind of garbage takes place in the world of sports (I love sports but you can love a thing and still recognize how toxic it is.) but we’re still not doing enough about it. I don’t know <i>what </i>we can do but there’s gotta be something. And maybe that was part of my frustration with the story. <br /><br />Setting aside the toxicity of the hockey world and how it hasn’t changed much, if at all, since 2007, there were a few other suuuper cringey moments in this book that I just could not let go of - whether that’s fair to the story or not. Green goes to visit the alternative high school his daughter attends to try to find her and encounters the guidance counselor. For some reason, Fradkin felt the need to focus on the fact that the woman was braless and it was very much implied that she was a hippie and therefore below Green’s police officer status. It was subtle, but it was there. Speaking of breasts, (yep, there’s more), back at the high school the murdered girl attended, the female guidance counselor there notices the D cups on one of the students, in part because that counselor is also well-endowed. Why. Why is the reader being told how large a teenager’s cup size is? <br /><br />Now, even with all the above issues, I <i>am </i>still interested in reading more of Fradkin’s novels, including continuing with this series. I had a few of the same problems with Penny’s Gamache series when I read some of the earlier ones so I’m well aware this is just a product of its time and I’m willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt. <br /><br />Even though the crime itself and how it was connected to hockey made me deeply uncomfortable, I was still invested in finding the murderer. Fradkin kept me guessing right up until the end and I appreciated that.<br /><br />While <i>Dream Chasers</i> left a lot to be desired for me personally, I’m still interested enough in Barbara Fradkin’s Inspector Green series to keep checking out the next books. I liked how she wrote the mystery, if not the social commentary inherent in the story, so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series.<br /><br /><i>*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Dundurn Press, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-14497369272831208512024-02-01T07:33:00.001-05:002024-02-01T07:33:00.139-05:00Review: Canadian Boyfriend<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK37PtdH1wFC6thJ8nihcfQnGbPDR_W49Wyk80YmnhdhZJVYgXBHjPLNvUllFUVb3qethyphenhyphen1cV53W3bQ55s0lcWdVbD8UW0W9VHZvpCHGkh03IEF0xQ1AKvaNI_fKK64E-8nSABfSGuc_RnxbAkn1PJqWTDiE7V834PQzxoZ5z4kjl_1RMHO_Mapx523OqA/s1500/canadian%20boyfriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="987" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK37PtdH1wFC6thJ8nihcfQnGbPDR_W49Wyk80YmnhdhZJVYgXBHjPLNvUllFUVb3qethyphenhyphen1cV53W3bQ55s0lcWdVbD8UW0W9VHZvpCHGkh03IEF0xQ1AKvaNI_fKK64E-8nSABfSGuc_RnxbAkn1PJqWTDiE7V834PQzxoZ5z4kjl_1RMHO_Mapx523OqA/s320/canadian%20boyfriend.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />I’m a big fan of Jenny Holiday - both her as a person and her writing. I even got the chance to interview her and Farah Heron at a literary festival last year! So, naturally, I was going to be excited about whatever book she wrote next. Add in the fact that it was called <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Sjf4Ja" target="_blank">Canadian Boyfriend</a></i> and I was definitely going to read it. Read it I did - and I thoroughly enjoyed it! <br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #134f5c;">The fake Canadian boyfriend. It's a thing. The get out of jail free card for all kinds of sticky social situations. “I can't go to prom; I'm going to be out of town visiting my boyfriend in Canada.” It's all over pop culture. But Aurora Evans did it first. Once upon a time she met a teenage hockey player at the Mall of America. He was from Canada. He was a boy. She may have fudged the “friend” part a little, but it wasn't like she was ever going to see him again. It wasn't like she hurt anyone. Until she did—years later—on both counts.<br />When pro hockey player and recent widower Mike Martin walks into the dance studio where Aurora Evans teaches, he's feeling overwhelmed with the fact that his wife may not have been exactly who he thought she was and the logistics of going back to work. As one of the few people his angry, heartbroken daughter connects with, Aurora agrees to be a pseudo nanny to help him navigate the upcoming school year and hockey season. To his surprise, she turns out to be the perfect balm for him as well. Aurora gets him. The real him underneath his pro jersey. And yet, he still finds himself holding back, unable to fully trust again—especially when he finds out the secret Aurora’s been hiding from him.</span></blockquote>I was a wee bit worried about the single parent storyline. Traditionally, I’m not a fan. But I didn’t mind this one at all and I think it has to do with the fact that Olivia is older. She’s her own person and her personality and issues were just as important as Rory and Mike’s were. I felt for the kid and was hoping for a tween version of a non-romantic Happily Ever After for her because she sure as hell deserved it. <br /><br />I gotta say, though, I didn’t buy the Third Act Breakup. This might get a bit spoilery so skip this if you hate any hint of anything. Right. So throughout the whole novel, Rory is struggling with whether or not to tell Mike that they had actually met in passing years before and, wouldn’t you know it, he inspired her to create a fake boyfriend. When she does eventually tell him, he’s pissed. Which I found stupid. I also found it slightly silly that Rory was so worried about telling him but I guess it makes sense since he reacted just as she expected him to. It just didn’t work for me - even with Mike’s hangups about lying (which I also struggled with but I could kind of get it) and Rory’s tendency to be a doormat (her and her BFF’s terms, not mine) - and it was a bit of a bummer to deal with right at the end of the book.<br /><br />Also - why on earth did Rory refer to him as Mike Martin throughout the <i>entire </i>novel? It was so bizarre. The chapters alternated perspectives and whenever Rory was talking about/describing interactions with Mike, it was almost always “Mike Martin” instead of just Mike. I don’t get it and I’m weirdly fixated on it. *shrugs*<br /><br />I loved how therapy and looking after one’s mental health was so important in this book and was approached in such a positive light. Mike was doing everything he could to make sure he and his daughter were mentally healthy after Sarah’s death, and that included therapy for the both of them. And it was at his urging that Rory finally went back to therapy herself. They talked about it openly together, and with their friends, and it was all just so…normal. While it wasn’t great that they had such serious issues to work through - grief for Mike and anxiety/panic attacks/eating disorder for Rory - it was great to read about how they were getting the help they needed in a romance novel.<br /><br />You don’t have to like sports to like this novel. Yes, Mike is a professional hockey player and there are lots of references to the sport but Rory is a total newbie and things are explained well to her (and, by proxy, to any reader who doesn’t know hockey). And for those of us who do know a little bit about the sport, we’re not bored with info we already know. It was well done. I also enjoyed the juxtaposition of a hockey player dating a (former) ballerina and how Holiday approached the toxicity of the world of ballet. <br /><br />As you can tell, there’s a lot to unpack with this romance novel. But even with all of the serious (and incredibly important) topics, <i>Canadian Boyfriend</i> is, at its core, a romance. I loved the little Canadianisms sprinkled throughout and fell in love with all the characters. I’m so glad we’re going to get Gretchen’s book next! I think Jenny Holiday has a winner on her hands with this romance and I think other readers will agree.<br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-59143295011795461192024-01-30T07:34:00.000-05:002024-01-30T07:34:00.136-05:00 Review: The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhqPOKEutjveYO2vGF0XJ0zDNjlz6aDDKPtXKuGWdUKkDC8lFos239IEaRnV5dWXzqCacwYHg3uDGtXoh31wf89CbT8CKSITFeH7P_liA2Z5xA9djaSt0YIUZSplaupZTthlVc-ntffwk5c6nxmxfWy1FvWI4U3ZxqaX4BFCzFx4uxim75bLPPFLz41vP/s400/the%20disappearance%20of%20astrid%20bricard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhqPOKEutjveYO2vGF0XJ0zDNjlz6aDDKPtXKuGWdUKkDC8lFos239IEaRnV5dWXzqCacwYHg3uDGtXoh31wf89CbT8CKSITFeH7P_liA2Z5xA9djaSt0YIUZSplaupZTthlVc-ntffwk5c6nxmxfWy1FvWI4U3ZxqaX4BFCzFx4uxim75bLPPFLz41vP/s320/the%20disappearance%20of%20astrid%20bricard.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />Natasha Lester has become a Must Read author for me ever since I read her novel <i>The Paris Secret</i> at the end of 2020. I love how she approaches historical fiction and how she weaves (pun intended) fashion into her stories. <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ObHfbK" target="_blank">The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard</a></i> is her latest and it’s another winner.<p></p><p>Here’s the book’s description:<br /></p><blockquote><span style="color: #073763;">Three generations. One chance to prove themselves. Can the women of the Bricard fashion dynasty finally rewrite their history?<br />French countryside, Present: Blythe Bricard is the daughter of famous fashion muses but that doesn't mean she wants to be one. She turned her back on that world, and her dreams, years ago. Fate, however, has a different plan, and Blythe will discover there is more to her iconic mother and grandmother than she ever knew. <br />New York, 1970: Designer Astrid Bricard arrives in bohemian Chelsea determined to change the fashion world forever. And she does―cast as muse to her lover, Hawk Jones. And when they're both invited to compete in the fashion event of the century―the Battle of Versailles―Astrid sacrifices everything to showcase her talent. But then, just as her career is about to take off, she mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind only a white silk dress.<br />Paris, 1917: Parentless sixteen-year-old Mizza Bricard has made a to be remembered on her own terms. Her promise sustains her through turbulent decades and volatile couture houses until, finally, her name is remembered and a legend is born―one that proves impossible for Astrid and Blythe to distance themselves from.</span></blockquote>There are some definite <i>Daisy Jones and the Six </i>vibes about this story but Lester’s novel is entirely her own. The focus is on fashion instead of music but the time period is similar, as is the gossip, sex, drugs, and rock and roll atmosphere. I wouldn’t say music or fashion are huge passions of mine but Lester, like Jenkins Reid, was able to hook me with a world I may never have read about. Which would have been a damn shame.<br /><br />Like Lester’s other novels, and many other historical fiction stories, this was a multi-timeline novel. I’m honestly getting a little over that…would we call it a trope? Storytelling choice? I don’t know why it’s been such A Thing in historical fiction but here we are. But Lester uses the three timelines well, for the most part. The bulk of the novel is dedicated to Astrid and Hawk during the seventies as their personal and professional lives collided in a spectacular explosion. Then there was Blythe in what the book’s description calls “present” but is actually the 2010s (I want to say 2012?). Finally, Lester introduces Mizza in 1917 and follows her through both World Wars, focusing on what she was involved in during WWII. <p></p><p>Mizza’s storyline is where things got a bit muddled which is interesting since, of all the characters, she’s the only person who actually existed. Lester notes at the end that much of Mizza’s background is unknown and, like a lot of French women who lived through World War II, she never spoke of what happened during that time. I don’t really mind when authors take liberties with real people, and I don’t think that was my issue with Lester’s treatment of Mizza. As intrigued as I was with Mizza and how the Bricard dynasty began, I felt like it was a totally separate story and didn’t <i>quite </i>mesh with Astrid and Blythe’s story. </p><p>I never, ever feel like Lester does an info dump in her novels, which is surprising since there is always so much new-to-me information in her stories! I love love love how passionate she is about fashion and how she inserts interesting (and relevant) details into her novels about the world of fashion. She does her research on other historical tidbits too which make the novels feel authentic and such a joy to read.</p><p><i>The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard</i> isn’t going to usurp <i>The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre</i> as my favourite Natasha Lester novel but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great read. I still loved it! Other historical fiction lovers will find a story that is interesting, emotional, informative, and entertaining all at once. I definitely recommend it!</p><p><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-27450593016979864142024-01-26T07:29:00.000-05:002024-01-26T07:29:00.145-05:00Review: Never Blow a Kiss<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJMgEAsiwiBVO27b00VnbVaAqHzaz5duW6BNY4NxQYfw9Ian-32H-aVi5mlYbgjtYSZJT3fa7SmXchADf-dV9fTg3C1TSrhUUE7Y2n5wKOO0CsHTE-2bNfy-GbCVpEciuzkzdBInefTLgt-XM1AM8GHRZgyhrVgzU8tSqGvaRaD5C2ZlgPWzlOME_C3w8/s2401/never%20blow%20a%20kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2401" data-original-width="1573" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJMgEAsiwiBVO27b00VnbVaAqHzaz5duW6BNY4NxQYfw9Ian-32H-aVi5mlYbgjtYSZJT3fa7SmXchADf-dV9fTg3C1TSrhUUE7Y2n5wKOO0CsHTE-2bNfy-GbCVpEciuzkzdBInefTLgt-XM1AM8GHRZgyhrVgzU8tSqGvaRaD5C2ZlgPWzlOME_C3w8/s320/never%20blow%20a%20kiss.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />I think many of us can say <i>Bridgerton </i>is the reason we started reading historical romances, whether we first discovered the series twenty years ago or five or maybe even just last week. I know I didn’t read much before I “met” the family but, since then, I’ve tried out a number of series to see if I could find another that intrigued me as much, or more. I’ve found a few gems so I was happy to try <i><a href="https://amzn.to/48JxV7i" target="_blank">Never Blow a Kiss</a></i>, the first book in Lindsay Lovise’s new series <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/376761-secret-society-of-governess-spies" target="_blank">Secret Society of Governess Spies</a>. <br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #20124d;">The utterly charming Emily Leverton has a dark past and is determined to leave it behind in her respectable new role as a governess. But when she is recruited by a secret network of governesses who spy on the ton, it may just be a way to redeem the dark secrets of her past.<br />Straddling the worlds of the ton and the working class, as an ex-solider turned railroad magnate, Zach hunts killers for the Metropolitan Police by day and dutifully attends balls at night. In neither world has he met a woman with the brazenness to mock him. So when a saucy governess blows him a kiss he is determined to catch her, never expecting that when he does he will find an intelligent, quirky woman hiding more than her true name. As Zach peels back the layers of Emily’s lies, he falls for the street-wise woman who handles a dagger like a pro and kisses like a mistress. But when his affair with Emily intertwines with his hunt for a killer, he discovers Emily is hiding an explosive secret—one that could destroy them both.</span></blockquote>I flew through this novel but not necessarily because I was loving it. It was fine - it kept my interest (mostly - I definitely skimmed a little) and I was invested in the characters but it was, well, just fine. The mystery was weak, I have no idea how accurate it was historically, but it was the romance that kept me coming back to the story. We’ll get back to that!<p></p><p>First, the mystery. I like when historical romances have an element of crime and intrigue because it usually means the female characters are no simpering heroines. I also just like a good mystery. This…was not a good mystery. I don’t know if I just stopped paying attention to the nuances (if there were any) but I feel like there were a few holes in the mystery and the reveal of the serial killer. Justice was served but my modern sensibilities may have expected a different wrap up to the mystery.</p><p>I really did love the characters though. Even when I thought they were being boneheaded (we’ve all felt that about romance leads, have we not?). I respected that Emily wanted to keep some things close to her chest though I felt her Big Secret took too long to be revealed. I can see that Lovise was going for shock value but it was a bit lost on me as I was way over it by the time it came around for the Third Act Breakup. That frustration aside, I respected Emily and how she had been able to get herself out of a hellish situation. I loved her for many of the same reasons Zach did - she was smart and feisty. Zach had a rough childhood as well and now his vast fortune meant the ton couldn’t ignore him (but they’d ignore his background, of course). I liked that you could tell he wasn’t letting his obscene amount of money go to his head and he tried to keep busy by helping out with the newly formed police force.</p><p>Now, the romance! Because I cared about the couple as people, it was so easy to become invested in their relationship. Considering Zach had to do a lot of encouraging and persuading to convince Emily that sex could, in fact, be pleasurable for both parties, this book was steamier than I expected. It was sexy without being over the top with a few scenes that would have ladies of the ton fluttering their fans and fainting dead away. Zach was not going to push Emily at all and he wasn’t going to do a thing without her explicit consent and Emily could tell she’d be safe to explore the “tingly” feelings with him. And that mutual respect made things a hell of a lot sexier.</p><p><i>Never Blow a Kiss</i> was Lindsay Lovise’s first novel and it was a fine first book. I’m not entirely sure I’m intrigued enough in the series and her writing to continue but I think historical romance fans might still consider picking this one up. It’s a quick read with characters you’ll love so it might be perfect to curl up with on a chilly winter weekend.<br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-8997739048297910172024-01-24T07:50:00.000-05:002024-01-24T07:50:00.142-05:00Review: Red String Theory<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1kgj2k_3URrQVNfD7VkX_Tl5_ehPo6dq3ZhQcCRdutoCBKG_FFTrOfP-VkK8SI_zrUFGEwQxIafcy_kA5mVjPKDa3087pDq2vC-MElPj3kaseQp4NDd0iLNQGjnUeqFJjMyEBiKzC9fIhbBSS-1HYsafyayTo68RiRXWAvjaFqKs0-HuVdEZdkUcBFA5/s400/red%20string%20theory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="262" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1kgj2k_3URrQVNfD7VkX_Tl5_ehPo6dq3ZhQcCRdutoCBKG_FFTrOfP-VkK8SI_zrUFGEwQxIafcy_kA5mVjPKDa3087pDq2vC-MElPj3kaseQp4NDd0iLNQGjnUeqFJjMyEBiKzC9fIhbBSS-1HYsafyayTo68RiRXWAvjaFqKs0-HuVdEZdkUcBFA5/s320/red%20string%20theory.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />I wasn’t in love with Lauren Kung Jessen’s debut novel, <i>Lunar Love</i> (<a href="https://booksandstuff-kstar.blogspot.com/2023/04/review-lunar-love.html" target="_blank">review here</a>). But I still enjoyed her approach to romances, her writing, and the sound of her second novel, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/493GCZM" target="_blank">Red String Theory</a></i>. I’m glad I gave this one a chance - especially in audiobook form - as it was a really enjoyable romance that I’m still thinking about, a few days after finishing it.<p></p><p>Here’s the book’s description:</p><p></p><blockquote><span style="color: #cc0000;">Just a date . . . or a twist of fate?<br />When it comes to love and art, Rooney Gao believes in signs. Most of all, she believes in the Chinese legend that everyone is tied to their one true love by the red string of fate. And that belief has inspired her career as an artist, as well as the large art installations she makes with ( obviously ) red string. That is until artist’s block strikes and Rooney begins to question everything. But then fate leads her to the perfect guy . . . <br />Jack Liu is perfect. He’s absurdly smart, successful, handsome, and after one enchanting New York night—under icy February skies and fueled by fried dumplings—all signs point to destiny. Only Jack doesn’t believe. And after their magical date, it looks like they might be lost to each other forever . . . until they’re given one more chance to reconnect. But can Rooney convince a reluctant skeptic to take a leap of fate?</span></blockquote>Like the heroine in <i>Lunar Love</i>, Rooney is a bit <i>too </i>set in her views on romance (and fate). I appreciated that she believed in love so much and I love the idea of stringmates (when two people are connected by an invisible string and are considered soulmates) but it seemed so limiting and I felt it was really harming her romantic life. But, as an artist, she was curious so even with her set beliefs about love, she did try to approach life a little differently. <br /><br />I loved that Rooney was an artist and Jack worked at NASA. These are not careers you may expect to see collide in a romance but it was so much fun. Their views on the world could not have been more different but it was a beautiful example of how a couple can succeed (and thrive) because they approach things differently but love and respect the other and their opinions. And the way they supported each other? Gah, it was so wonderful.<br /><br />While the romantic relationship between Rooney and Jack was, you know, kind of the point of the romance, I think the story was made stronger by the familial relationships included. Rooney and her mom had a tight and unique bond since it had been just the two of them against the world for Rooney’s whole life. And while Jack didn’t have a close relationship with his parents, his grandfather had been a constant in his life and I adored every scene Gong Gong was in. <br /><br />Finally, a note on the audiobook! I find romances can sometimes be less enjoyable on audiobooks for some reason but the narrators for this one? Oh, they sold me on the story immediately. Yu-Li Alice Shen and Andrew Grace were the narrators for Red String Theory and they did a great job. I liked that it was dual narration and, bonus, they read all the dialogue too. I have listened to many books where the narrator does a terrible opposite gender voice and the story and my enjoyment is harmed because of it. It was a really enjoyable narration and I would definitely listen to either narrator again.<br /><br /><i>Red String Theory</i> was a delightful, sweet romance from Lauren Kung Jessen. I’m so happy to have read it and look forward to reading her next book.<br /><br /><i>*An egalley was provided by HBG Canada and an ALC was provided by Forever, both via NetGalley, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-90653222073852599632023-12-21T07:32:00.000-05:002023-12-21T07:32:00.142-05:00Review: For Never and Always<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZKnnQcsJaTnT-oy8i_AA3BgYd-nGbAMOVCK1UsNsStwb1G25_gO4AqODQ9R9_9J6SpOXLYfc43-jROD6MuFpfOKHU9wHy81N30HpVySQR9wxNokJdpKT_ATfF19T_mWTaS0Hqestt9AxglDgooohhnvSEZbfheTFELz7DeH-0RgbxzmmhLTR03-kTEMV/s400/for%20never%20and%20always.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="262" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZKnnQcsJaTnT-oy8i_AA3BgYd-nGbAMOVCK1UsNsStwb1G25_gO4AqODQ9R9_9J6SpOXLYfc43-jROD6MuFpfOKHU9wHy81N30HpVySQR9wxNokJdpKT_ATfF19T_mWTaS0Hqestt9AxglDgooohhnvSEZbfheTFELz7DeH-0RgbxzmmhLTR03-kTEMV/s320/for%20never%20and%20always.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />Helena Greer’s <i>Season of Love</i> was one of my favourite holiday books last year (<a href="https://booksandstuff-kstar.blogspot.com/2022/12/review-season-of-love.html" target="_blank">review here</a>) so I was really looking forward to getting to hang out at Carrigan’s All Year again with Hannah, Miriam, and Noelle in <i><a href="https://amzn.to/46TeSpw" target="_blank">For Never and Always</a></i>. But, while I was happy with some of the themes of the story, I was ultimately left disappointed. I didn’t buy the romance and if I don’t buy the love story in a romance novel? Well, that’s a hard thing to come back from.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #741b47;">Hannah Rosenstein should be after a lonely childhood of traipsing all over the world, she finally has a home as the co-owner of destination inn Carrigan’s All Year. But her thoughts keep coming back to Levi "Blue" her first love, worst heartbreak, and now, thanks to her great-aunt’s meddling will, absentee business partner. <br />When Levi left Carrigan's, he had good intentions. As the queer son of the inn's cook and groundskeeper, he never quite fit in their small town and desperately wanted to prove himself. Now that he’s a celebrity chef, he's ready to come home and make amends. Only his return goes nothing like he his family's angry with him, his best friend is dating his nemesis, and Hannah just wants him to leave. Again .<br />Levi sees his chance when a VIP bride agrees to book Carrigan’s—if he’s the chef. He'll happily cook for the wedding, and in exchange, Hannah will give him five dates to win her back. Only Hannah doesn’t trust this new Levi, and Levi’s coming to realize Hannah’s grown too. But if they find the courage to learn from the past . . . they just might discover the love of your life is worth waiting for.</span></blockquote>I was so sad that I didn’t love this love story more than I did. I just found Hannah and Levi’s relationship to be so incredibly toxic. I was with Noelle, who also didn’t think they belonged together. Hannah explained her feelings by saying that Noelle just never got to see Hannah and Levi together and happy. By the time Noelle came along, cracks had formed and it wasn’t a great relationship. Well, I didn’t see a great relationship either, not even in some of the flashbacks. And I love a good romance between childhood friends but I couldn’t see past their toxic past. Especially when they kept saying that they used to just “fight or fuck.” I’m supposed to root for them after that? When neither of them were actually, you know, TALKING to each other? “He’s just not understanding!” Well, sweetie, it’s because he can’t read your damn mind. Of course he doesn’t understand. As for Levi, he wasn’t telling all his truth that completed affected his teenagehood and something he sure as hell needed to resolve before he could have a healthy relationship.<br /><br />Speaking of that secret of Levi’s…it had to do with Cass and it made zero sense to me. It was a huge truthbomb that affected Hannah and Miriam so much but I was left scratching my head a bit. Not necessarily because of what happened. But more just how the narrative was being put together. It seemed like this truth should have caused more…problems? Maybe? It’s hard to say without spoilers but it was a big part of why the story didn’t work for me.<br /><br />This story also kind of dragged for me. I didn’t really feel like there was much movement in the plot. It was just back and forth of Hannah and Levi trying to figure out their lives and being kind of whiney and kind of self-centred the whole time. I’m pretty sure there was a lot of skimming happening.<br /><br />Even though I didn’t enjoy <i>For Never and Always</i>, I still want to check out the next book in Helena Greer’s series. I think she has good stories to tell - this one just really missed the mark for me.<br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, via Netgalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-11239031055599349902023-12-14T07:24:00.001-05:002023-12-14T07:24:00.277-05:00Review: It Happened One Christmas<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0TCd81-1QXFiDpY0WCdCoVzSL-6GSqcOICJrYC9ADmgTnYp-Zq07iHU5DZpLoSl5eJakYdUFpIKTeMx7Ov3qoZ0PQhHb2n-IXH4L6GAygmIJfZHOwkox_U0Lj7JD7zly33Q6K_ezel-QZsSShAf7OCMpV3w_cuWla2vhN0tc02X9A2bpw5JefvVadgkk/s2400/it%20happened%20one%20christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0TCd81-1QXFiDpY0WCdCoVzSL-6GSqcOICJrYC9ADmgTnYp-Zq07iHU5DZpLoSl5eJakYdUFpIKTeMx7Ov3qoZ0PQhHb2n-IXH4L6GAygmIJfZHOwkox_U0Lj7JD7zly33Q6K_ezel-QZsSShAf7OCMpV3w_cuWla2vhN0tc02X9A2bpw5JefvVadgkk/s320/it%20happened%20one%20christmas.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br />2023 gifted us with not one but <i>two </i>novels from Chantel Guertin, one of my favourite authors. Not only that, but I’m always happy when a favourite author writes a holiday novel! So, I was really looking forward to <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3RDPH5K" target="_blank">It Happened One Christmas</a></i>, which was published in October. Life being Life, I just finally read it over the weekend and, while I wasn’t blown away, I was still infused with so much holiday cheer by the end of the story.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #0c343d;">Will magic happen under the mistletoe?<br />All year long, Zoey Andrews lives and breathes Christmas--not just because she loves everything about the festive season, but because, as the director of countless Christmas movies, she's perpetually (and happily) surrounded by 24/7 holiday cheer. And this year Christmas has come early: After years of making other people's movies, Zoey finally has the chance to make her own. There's just one thing standing in her way of that: Benoît Deschamps, the sexy, bearded, grouchy and utterly frustrating, plaid shacket-wearing tree-farm-owner-slash-mayor who refuses to grant Zoey the permit to film in Chelsea, the cozy and snowy Quebec hamlet at the center of her screenplay.<br />With just four days left before Christmas, Zoey must change Ben's mind, but not before an unscripted ice storm leaves them stranded in the middle of nowhere, with nothing--no food, no phone, no electricity--except . . . each other.<br />Will Ben's chilly resolve shatter Zoey's Christmas movie wish? Or will Zoey be able to melt through his stubbornness--and maybe even his heart?</span></blockquote>Let’s start with what didn’t warm my holiday loving heart. I think I am <i>completely </i>over stories about out of town folks coming into a small town, wanting to change something or wanting to get something out of the town. Now, I know Zoey knew what she was doing when it comes to scouting and was a trustworthy person. I know she would fairly compensate the town. But I just think I’m tired of the same old story and it was hard to set that tired trope aside and focus on the uniqueness to Guertin’s story. <br /><br />I mentioned above how Zoey was trustworthy so points to Guertin for creating a heroine that, while frustrating at times, was someone I was rooting for. I did like her. I questioned her choices in fashion and relationships and insistence on nostalgia from one single vacation when she was a kid, but I really did want a Happily Ever After for her. <br /><br />Now, what about the swoons? I have complicated feelings about the romance even though I was wholeheartedly into Zoey and Ben getting together by the end of the novel. I loved their initial meet cute. Wasn’t so much a fan of their interactions about the film permit. But once they were thrown together during <i>la tempête de verglas</i>? Oh, yes. I mean, I wasn’t happy Zoey was out in the ice storm and was kinda sorta the reason she and Ben stayed on the road. But Guertin made it so clear that they were a team and they worked so well. There was sexual chemistry, sure, but they were building the framework for a good relationship. I dig it.<br /><br />Did you catch the French up there? The novel is set in small town Quebec and I very much enjoyed reading about some of the Quebecois traditions and trying to figure out what Ben and the other townsfolk were saying <i>en français</i> before they translated for Zoey. I don’t live in Quebec but some of the things mentioned were very deeply Canadian, no matter what province you live in. I loved it.<br /><br /><i>It Happened One Christmas</i> may not have been a huge winner for me but if you want a festive read, Chantel Guertin’s latest novel is one to check out. Despite the ice storm in the storyline, you’ll feel the warm, holiday spirit by the time you’re done.<br /><br /><i>*An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher, Doubleday Canada (Penguin Random House Canada) in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-27907671870851253232023-12-11T07:47:00.001-05:002023-12-11T07:47:00.137-05:00Review: Today Tonight Forever<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W38YcFf-ts0vRB0iZfdmHuko31iwMqqCANsxX2jsfiyUHKJLrcd2k6gga4MgNtMi3ueosFvTVyKjhbyRhkC3hpklgNpF3m3gZ9n6pLmnXg-KBhcjQZsMELpRvndRQOVfqNbthpm6zZTFCPiC5HPxfdugbGmDhV7GPiKkmkA-_iXo8dyZBUaLa86Xbduw/s400/today%20tonight%20forever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W38YcFf-ts0vRB0iZfdmHuko31iwMqqCANsxX2jsfiyUHKJLrcd2k6gga4MgNtMi3ueosFvTVyKjhbyRhkC3hpklgNpF3m3gZ9n6pLmnXg-KBhcjQZsMELpRvndRQOVfqNbthpm6zZTFCPiC5HPxfdugbGmDhV7GPiKkmkA-_iXo8dyZBUaLa86Xbduw/s320/today%20tonight%20forever.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />I requested <i><a href="https://amzn.to/4a1qeuh" target="_blank">Today Tonight Forever</a></i>, Madeline Kay Sneed's second novel, on a bit of a whim. It sounded interesting but I knew absolutely nothing about her writing. I am <i>so </i>glad I took a chance on this book. I read it slowly and in small bits, mostly because life is, you know, life, but it's easily a book I could have curled up with on a weekend and devoured.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #3d85c6;">When thirty-three-year-old Athena Matthias is asked, yet again, to be a bridesmaid, she’s not exactly enthusiastic about the idea. Still reeling from a messy divorce from her wife, she’s never felt less inclined to celebrate love. But Athena can't say no, especially to one of her oldest friends, and at least it's a destination wedding, which means three days of sun and sand.<br />As the wedding weekend commences on the gorgeous beaches of Watercolor, Florida, for the first time in ages, Athena finds herself surrounded by people who know and love her. There’s the bride, nervous about an old relationship; a groomsman grappling with a big mistake; Athena’s mother, ready to date again; and even a potential new romantic interest.<br />But just as Athena begins to feel herself opening up again, an unexpected guest from the past throws the entire wedding party into chaos. By the time the cake is cut and the ultimate betrayal is revealed, Athena must find the courage to forgive—both others and herself—and embrace the beauty of a chance to move forward.</span></blockquote>The novel follows a number of characters who are at Daisy's wedding. It starts as Athena arrives in Watercolor on the day of the rehearsal and ends with her at the reception. In between, we get to see how many (many) characters are dealing with this happy event. It’s possible that some readers may think there were <i>too </i>many characters telling their story during Daisy’s wedding weekend. Personally, I really liked getting all of their perspectives. They all had different views on the wedding and had different emotions about it. (And there were <i>a lot</i> of emotions.) And when I say many characters, let me just break it down for you. We had chapters from Athena, Daisy, Leo (Athena's brother and Daisy's ex), Mollie (Athena and Leo's mom), Deacon (Daisy's brother and Athena's best friend), and Sydnee (Athena's ex-wife). Whew! But I really did enjoy all their perspectives and what they brought to the story.<br /><br />I also really appreciated how Sneed wove in all of the characters’ perspectives to the narrative. There are only the tiniest of overlaps, where you get to experience a particular moment from multiple characters’ viewpoints. Otherwise, each character moves the story forward during the wedding weekend. It’s one of those things that seems simple but absolutely would not have been easy to do and it was, in my opinion, masterfully done by Sneed.<br /><br />Weddings always bring a lot of drama to a story, which I love. This wedding was no different. There were exes and new flirtations. There were best friends who hadn’t been as present as they should be. There were family members who were trying to finally emerge from the deepest part of their grief. It was a lot but absolutely perfect for the story.<br /><br />A wedding may be at the centre of this story but this is not a book about romantic love. We’re happy, of course, that Daisy has found the person she wants to spend the rest of her life with. But what holds the reader’s interest are the friendships and the familial relationships. The way Sneed writes these relationships got me right in the feels and I felt like I was right there in Watercolor with the wedding guests. I wanted to cheer them on, offer a shoulder to cry on, and buy them a glass of their favourite drink. As hard as some of the emotions were, it was so great to feel them right alongside the characters. <br /><br />I really liked <i>Today Tonight Forever</i> and recommend you add Madeline Kay Sneed’s novel to your TBR. It’s full of characters you can’t help but care about and will hit you with every emotion under the sun but you’ll be left feeling hopeful. But also a little sad that you’ve finished such a great novel. <br /><br /><i>*An egalley was provided by the publisher, HTP Books, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-58297703716883679662023-12-07T07:39:00.000-05:002023-12-07T07:39:00.155-05:00Review: The Mystery Guest<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29Zm7xFxtBZDExBcAs8QC9FAO72hBvPL0W6E5qWHHhu29bvqvb30Jz6r458JwifsTnlt9Gj0dJOPSPULqtiZv0YtHfL2BFGUPEFppQXHJvKFk6AEsiPka18ZZkIj48MNycVZKxbkgo_LBUXX2h721YMUlI8ClTJljB3v-sP2U0_vr70GGnD-KfZyv3v3-/s400/the%20mystery%20guest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29Zm7xFxtBZDExBcAs8QC9FAO72hBvPL0W6E5qWHHhu29bvqvb30Jz6r458JwifsTnlt9Gj0dJOPSPULqtiZv0YtHfL2BFGUPEFppQXHJvKFk6AEsiPka18ZZkIj48MNycVZKxbkgo_LBUXX2h721YMUlI8ClTJljB3v-sP2U0_vr70GGnD-KfZyv3v3-/s320/the%20mystery%20guest.jpg" width="210" /></a></i></div><i><br />The Maid</i> was one of my favourite books in 2022. Nita Prose wrote an entertaining mystery novel that delighted me, because of both the story and unique heroine she created. I was, therefore, really excited to read <a href="https://amzn.to/3T5qemP" target="_blank">The Mystery Guest</a> to see what Molly was up to next. It was a fine novel but really only that - fine. I was never super eager to pick it up and that left me disappointed. Were my expectations too high? Oh, very likely. The mystery had enough of a twist to keep me interested enough but it wasn’t as amazing as I expected.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #0b5394;">Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle state of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J.D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead—very dead—on the hotel’s tea room floor.<br />When Detective Stark, Molly's old foe, investigates the author’s unexpected demise, it becomes clear that this death was murder most foul. Suspects abound, and everyone wants to who killed J.D. Grimthorpe? Was it Lily, the new Maid-in-Training? Or was it Serena, the author’s secretary? Could Mr. Preston, the hotel’s beloved doorman, be hiding something? And is Molly really as innocent as she seems?<br />As the case threatens the hotel’s pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer's identity. But that key is buried deep in her past—because long ago, she knew J.D. Grimthorpe. Molly begins to comb her memory for clues, revisiting her childhood and the mysterious Grimthorpe mansion where she and her dearly departed Gran once worked side by side. With the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must solve the mystery post-haste. If there's one thing Molly knows for sure, it's that dirty secrets don't stay buried forever...</span></blockquote>I wonder if part of my issue was that Molly was an entertaining and lovely enough character for one book but I don’t know if her quirky personality was something I really needed to read about for another book. And I just didn’t know that until reading the second book. And I use the word quirky intentionally. Many of us speculated - perhaps wrongly - when The Maid was released about whether or not Molly was on the spectrum. Naturally reading a neurodivergent character doesn’t matter to most of us, but I think what was bothersome, to me anyway, was that we seemed to be jumping to conclusions. And we probably shouldn’t have been. <br /><br />One weird thing that nagged at me was that at the end of <i>The Maid</i> (this isn’t a major spoiler but look away if you hate all spoilers of all kinds), Molly ends up with a boyfriend. (This is not the weird thing! Yay finding happiness in a romantic relationship!) But Prose had him visiting family for the entirety of the second novel. What was the point of having Molly date someone if he wasn’t going to be present in the story? It shouldn’t have mattered but for some reason it really did.<br /><br />This story flashes back and forth from present day back to when Molly was a young girl and going to work with her grandmother, who had also been a maid, at a fancy house. While this backstory did have an impact on the present day story, I felt it took a little too much time to get to the point. It just seemed, to start, that Prose was making sure we knew how hard Molly’s time at school was (it was brutal and left me feeling uncomfortable and really sad for young Molly). But so what? We already could have assumed that. But eventually I could see what Prose was setting up and I was kept guessing right until the very end.<br /><br />The mystery, which <i>did </i>keep me guessing, wasn’t the most intricate. I was still entertained and a little surprised by the ending so I consider that a win when it comes to mysteries. (The reveal at the end about the connection between Molly and another character, though? That was not at all a surprise.) With the main mystery, I did like that just when I thought I had it figured out, there was another little nugget thrown in.<br /><br />All in all, <i>The Mystery Guest</i> wasn’t a winner for me but Nita Prose’s latest novel was still a good enough read. My expectations were probably a little too high, since I loved The Maid SO much and that impacted my enjoyment. I still think it’s worth a read if you really liked The Maid but just maybe keep your own expectations a little lower than mine were. I hope others like it more than I did!<br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-22253638803962372842023-12-04T07:15:00.001-05:002023-12-04T07:15:00.137-05:00Review: Three Holidays and a Wedding<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-rC8Ea0lMqzij18TKEp6C5DtdPV2J6MWRJkkH1xxCP5DjIeJHCHDddXYvv5DN4JZEpB-BghFuMa9gNOiFzPVcssawykw6XIqKvBbHXR4yDhDMS8vgq99LP4QKRsGYEXNKxzS7Zc3KHDPn2UlceJ5sKa0Fsq1TlwUcSPAFz7fU2IJtRpBybwwXU1bOdEO/s400/three%20holidays%20and%20a%20wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-rC8Ea0lMqzij18TKEp6C5DtdPV2J6MWRJkkH1xxCP5DjIeJHCHDddXYvv5DN4JZEpB-BghFuMa9gNOiFzPVcssawykw6XIqKvBbHXR4yDhDMS8vgq99LP4QKRsGYEXNKxzS7Zc3KHDPn2UlceJ5sKa0Fsq1TlwUcSPAFz7fU2IJtRpBybwwXU1bOdEO/s320/three%20holidays%20and%20a%20wedding.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br />I’m calling it: <i><a href="https://amzn.to/482wH6g" target="_blank">Three Holidays and a Wedding</a></i> is my favourite holiday read of 2023. Now, I haven’t read that many yet (and I’m woefully behind, as usual, on my holiday review books) but this one, co-written by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley, two of my favourite authors, was an absolute delight and I enjoyed every second reading it.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #073763;">Three times the holiday magic. Three times the chaos.<br />As strangers and seatmates Maryam Aziz and Anna Gibson fly to Toronto over the holidays—Maryam to her sister’s impromptu wedding, and Anna to meet her boyfriend’s wealthy family for the first time—neither expect that severe turbulence will scare them into confessing their deepest hopes and fears to one another. At least they’ll never see each other again. And the love of Maryam’s life, Saif, wasn’t sitting two rows behind them hearing it all. Oops.<br />An emergency landing finds Anna, Saif, Maryam, and her sister’s entire bridal party snowbound at the quirky Snow Falls Inn in a picture-perfect town, where fate has Anna’s actor-crush filming a holiday romance. As Maryam finds the courage to open her heart to Saif, and Anna feels the magic of being snowbound with an unexpected new love—both women soon realize there’s no place they’d rather be for the holidays.</span></blockquote>The premise of this one is perfectly bonkers which made it the best kind of holiday rom com. There are not one, not two, but three major holidays converging, a plane being rerouted and, oh, there’s a movie being filmed in town, too! Jalaluddin and Stapley work their magic, though, and make something that could be cheesy and over-the-top, completely wonderful. I was smiling constantly while reading this story and was completely invested in the characters’ lives.<br /><br />The book takes place in December 2000 when Ramadan, Hanukkah, and Christmas all fell within a few days of each other. You may think that 2000 wasn’t that long ago and I mostly forgot that the book took place *gasp* 23 years ago. But there were the odd moments when I realized how much things had changed since then - which I loved! Anna only had a flip phone and her charger had been lost with her luggage so she couldn’t get in touch with her boyfriend in Toronto. That would never happen these days. Nor would someone pull out a bunch of CDs for a mehndi ceremony in 2023. I really liked the little mentions of days gone by!<br /><br />I loved how the holidays came together and how Hanukkah and Ramadan took centre stage, with Christmas almost being an afterthought. It was refreshing. I celebrate Christmas but there’s no religious reason for that. I just enjoyed that a big guy in a red suit brought me and my sisters presents and we had an excuse to decorate the house and eat lots of treats. I enjoyed feeling part of both Anna and Maryam’s celebrations as they shared traditions and discovered just how important family and their holidays really were to them. (And that maybe family didn’t have to be related by blood.)<br /><br />Maryam and Anna were such great characters to get to know. They were real (and therefore flawed) but such wonderful people. And their love interests probably didn’t deserve them because these ladies were so great. (But the boys were ok too - we can keep them!) The romantic relationships they embark on were secondary to the women figuring out what they wanted to be doing with their lives. Becoming snowbound in Snow Falls allowed them to really analyze their current circumstances and think about their futures. I was so proud of their growth and loved reading it.<br /><br />If you buy just one holiday read this year, make it <i>Three Holidays and a Wedding</i> (and I highly recommend you buy yourself your very own copy). Uzma Jalauddin and Marissa Stapley have completely nailed it and I loved reading this holiday rom com. I hope these authors pair up again for another novel in the future.<br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-3442871778106386652023-11-29T07:49:00.001-05:002023-11-29T07:49:00.143-05:00Review: Never Wager with a Wallflower<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtBzyrppw43UiawNJayJqjmRLKQyYvE_szrGlpjBzapspYLTw2TSMVUd-kOvX0t88yy8gHgZjdez4zXZISjCVravG4-OjN1B9C3edvhNLolQiHcgtnu_V5dXOYPBnn_vLwTDnOjH2PrVGBnLxIPI7_PcqVzAJb714OBBlfR55HKlcMW4DvNyUL38S3LZa/s400/never%20wager%20with%20a%20wallflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="270" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtBzyrppw43UiawNJayJqjmRLKQyYvE_szrGlpjBzapspYLTw2TSMVUd-kOvX0t88yy8gHgZjdez4zXZISjCVravG4-OjN1B9C3edvhNLolQiHcgtnu_V5dXOYPBnn_vLwTDnOjH2PrVGBnLxIPI7_PcqVzAJb714OBBlfR55HKlcMW4DvNyUL38S3LZa/s320/never%20wager%20with%20a%20wallflower.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />I went through quite the reading slump in September (I feel like this is an annual occurrence). It’s frustrating to get frustrated with your reading choices so after finishing a book, I looked well ahead at my reading list and found just the right book to help pull me out of my slump: <a href="https://amzn.to/3MPj3eG" target="_blank">Never Wager with a Wallflower</a>. This is the final book in Virginia Heath’s Merriwell Sisters series and it was just as lovely and delightful as the previous two.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br />Miss Venus Merriwell has been waiting for her prince to come since the tender age of fourteen. She wants a man who is selfless, academic like her, and free from all the wretched vices her gambler father enjoyed far too much before he left the Merriwell sisters practically destitute. Unfortunately, after a slew of romantic disappointments, there is still no sign of that prince at twenty-three and the only one true love of her life is the bursting-at-the-seams orphanage in Covent Garden that she works tirelessly for. An orphanage that desperately needs to expand into the empty building next door.<br />For Galahad Sinclair, gambling isn’t just his life, it’s in his blood. He grew up and learned the trade at his grandfather’s knee in a tavern on the far away banks of the Hudson in New York. But when fate took all that away and dragged him across the sea to London, it made sense to set up shop here. He’s spent five years making a success out of his gaming hell in the sleazy docks of the East End. Enough that he can finally afford to buy the pleasure palace of his dreams—and where better than in the capital’s sinful heart, Covent Garden? The only fly in his ointment is the perfect building he’s just bought to put it in also happens to be right next door to the orphanage run by his cousin’s wife’s youngest sister. A pious, disapproving and unsettling siren he has avoided like the plague since she flattened him five years ago…<br />While Venus and Galahad lock horns over practically everything, and while her malevolent orphans do their darndest to sabotage his lifelong dream, can either of them take the ultimate gamble—and learn to love thy neighbor?<br /><br />I admit that it took some time to get over the time jump between book two and three and that Venus and Galahad had initially met when she was barely a teenager. *shudders* Once I (mostly) set that aside, I could focus on the story that was right in front of me and I was able to enjoy it.<br /><br />One of the things I like about this series is the relationship between the sisters and how important they all are to each other. We don’t get a ton of scenes with the rest of the family but the scenes that were there were incredibly impactful. They also served to remind me how much I loved the found family aspect of the story. Blood family can be important but so can the people you choose to surround yourself with and I think this story illustrates that well.<br /><br />This is not a series that takes itself too seriously and it was a lot of fun to read, even when it was addressing less-than-fun topics, such as the state of orphanages in London in the Regency era (yes, I’m being vague - I cannot remember exactly what year this series, and this story in particular, took place!). I always find there’s a nice balance between the frothy romance and the look at what the world was like in a different time.<br /><br />One of the things I like about this series is the relationship between the sisters and how important they all are to each other. We don’t get a ton of scenes with the rest of the family but the scenes that were there were incredibly impactful. They also served to remind me how much I loved the found family aspect of the story. Blood family can be important but so can the people you choose to surround yourself with and I think this story illustrates that well.<br /><br />I’m quite sad <i>Never Wager with a Wallflower</i> was the last in the Merriwell Sisters series. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the time I’ve spent with the three sisters and their suitors and am glad Virginia Heath introduced them to the world.<br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, St. Martin's Press, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.* </i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-83750725576086426562023-11-23T07:52:00.001-05:002023-11-23T07:52:00.143-05:00Review: Asking for a Friend<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSDvdsqxisx_4kMutHceNvYuMs_Gq7Pb5L7BudvLGz7d7n3PqkCAfV7bbUoMj8yF08LSkjghi1A0D-LD9a1RofokCuFqgjDUZkMfoCqF9loJEzWYV-rDzSvaHIBze08IZ5vlRdOV8yGdOiyL0Y6iEm3IidRJ3R8kij2JAjRESQ9nz2qz3WHKJHDheoVlj/s400/asking%20for%20a%20friend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSDvdsqxisx_4kMutHceNvYuMs_Gq7Pb5L7BudvLGz7d7n3PqkCAfV7bbUoMj8yF08LSkjghi1A0D-LD9a1RofokCuFqgjDUZkMfoCqF9loJEzWYV-rDzSvaHIBze08IZ5vlRdOV8yGdOiyL0Y6iEm3IidRJ3R8kij2JAjRESQ9nz2qz3WHKJHDheoVlj/s320/asking%20for%20a%20friend.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />I’ve read all of Kerry Clare’s novels and I’m always blown away by how great her writing is and how she tells a story. What’s tough is when I don’t particularly <i>like </i>the story. Then I’m left wondering: is it me? Is the book? Is it the way the book was marketed? These were questions I asked myself when I was reading <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3SPy0kS" target="_blank">Asking for a Friend</a></i>, Clare’s latest which was published in September.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #4c1130;">The bottom of Jess’s world is falling out. Cocooned in her dorm in the winter of 1998, she’s reeling, and wants to be left alone. But a chance encounter with the older, otherworldly, elusive Clara has Jess awestruck. Clara, newly returned from a two-year trek drifting around the world, is taking a stab at normalcy for once, and the place she starts is university, where she struggles to fit in. Upon meeting Jess, though, Clara feels an instant connection, and everything seems brighter. Soon, the two are inseparable, undeniable necessities in each other’s lives. But when tragedy strikes, they are unceremoniously torn apart, sent tumbling down different paths. And with each passing day, their unbreakable bond is tested more and more.<br />As they endure love and heartbreak, marriage, anxiety and isolation, and the complicated existence of motherhood, Jess and Clara must learn how to love each other through it all—and whether growing up inevitably means growing apart.<br />Spanning two decades, <i>Asking for a Friend</i> follows the tempestuous journey of female friendship, exploring whether its fundamentals—history, familiarity, loyalty—are enough to make the relationship everlasting.</span></blockquote>It took me a realllllly long time to finish this book. September was a hard month for me and nothing held my interest. That could be part of why this book didn’t thrill me. Another part may have been friends of mine who read it were not fans and weren’t quiet about it. But maybe I just straight up didn’t enjoy the book because it wasn’t the right fit for me.<br /><br />I do believe the marketing department of the publishing house can shoulder some of the blame for how this book has been received. Because I’m not the only one who expected this book to be…different. We were told we’d get a novel about friendship. And we did but…it was an incredibly toxic friendship. Was it sometimes accurate when it addressed how friendships evolve over twenty years? Absolutely. But if Jess and Clara’s relationship was a romantic one, you can bet everyone would have been saying they needed to break up because their relationship was not at all healthy. Plus, the cover seems so celebratory and I didn’t find a whole lot of celebrating going on in the story.<br /><br />I think this wasn’t a book for me, personally, because of how much of the story seemed to focus on the journey towards motherhood and raising children. I am not a mother. I do not want to be a mother. I know there needs to be procreation to have a civilization but I honestly sometimes wonder why anyone would give up their freedom to have kids. So, I just wasn’t expecting how much of the story would revolve around pregnancies, miscarriages, infertility, more pregnancies, more miscarriages, births, raising children, and yet more pregnancies. Important topics for some but not what I, personally, want to be reading in my novels. <br /><br />I really, really wanted to love <i>Asking for a Friend</i>. I think Kerry Clare is so talented but this novel fell so short for me and I’m really sad about that. I know we can’t love every book we read but not loving this book really hurts.<br /><br /><i>*A finished copy of this novel was provided by Penguin Canada as part of their Penguin Reads program in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-75995214676348414022023-11-21T07:36:00.001-05:002023-11-21T07:36:00.148-05:00Review: Four Weddings and a Puppy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnPF1DbSNCOY9iPtKuAJypgefZlde13v73yH9dio_9s1qPBAIogLsm0LvTFT3XZtMkBL8ti-lFCbfDRkm-YPwNh8Lfg0l1WsjVFg1z4r-vHMyCfeBlb9EmcPwasDFZJMuXEHXi90VK_SLlormx1ClIELPFSugUfo0knHdLpfxEBNja02RwMNT2vXtD8u4/s400/four%20weddings%20and%20a%20puppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="262" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnPF1DbSNCOY9iPtKuAJypgefZlde13v73yH9dio_9s1qPBAIogLsm0LvTFT3XZtMkBL8ti-lFCbfDRkm-YPwNh8Lfg0l1WsjVFg1z4r-vHMyCfeBlb9EmcPwasDFZJMuXEHXi90VK_SLlormx1ClIELPFSugUfo0knHdLpfxEBNja02RwMNT2vXtD8u4/s320/four%20weddings%20and%20a%20puppy.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />Lizzie Shane has become a go-to author for me when I need a sweet, entertaining, gosh-darn-lovely romance. I fell in love with the town and characters she created back in 2020 with <i>The Twelve Dogs of Christmas</i> and I’ve enjoyed every subsequent novel since. I read <i><a href="https://amzn.to/47molq8" target="_blank">Four Weddings and a Puppy</a></i> at the perfect time and had a great time reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones in this latest Pine Hollow novel.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #073763;">When two childhood friends return home after their sports careers don't go as planned, a puppy just may give them a second chance at happiness together. She’s always been the girl with the plan . . . until the plan crashed big time<br />Kendall Walsh has exactly one second to save a fancy, five-tiered wedding cake and any possibility of being a wedding planner—not to mention her family’s struggling ski resort. All because of one very cute, very furry, golden menace of a retriever who has a serious thing for butter chiffon icing. Which is exactly when Olympic skier Brody James shows up and saves the day . . . and the cake.<br />Brody makes Kendall feel about a million indecipherable things. He’s her brother’s bestie. Her first crush. And a ridiculously popular Olympic hero, which only reminds her of her own failed Olympic dreams. What Brody isn’t telling her is that he’s walked away from it all. The fame. The sponsorships. The celebrity girlfriend. Now he and Kendall are both lost somewhere between their past and a future they can’t yet see. But four weddings, one mischievous puppy, and a few steamy kisses later, these two might just realize that they are both exactly where they need to be…with each other. </span></blockquote>I’ll be honest (as usual), if you’re looking for a super well-crafted, thought-provoking romance novel and/or want some steam, this series is not for you. But I firmly believe there are different types of books (and romance books in particular) for a reason and sometimes you want the cupcake version of a book and there is NO shame in choosing the cupcake over the carrot.<br /><br />I loved Brody and Kendall as a couple. They created a partnership first, flirting a little, but they were both so inside their heads and trying to figure out What’s Next that romance didn’t <i>quite </i>have the space it needed to start. Not until they worked through some of their own personal demons. But the beauty of the story was they each helped the other work through those demons, too. It felt like such a realistic portrayal of what it’s like to have someone solidly on your side when you’re figuring out some of the hard choices. Knowing they had built a foundation meant rooting for them romantically was really easy!<br /><br />As I said, Kendall and Brody both had some hard stuff to figure out. Kendall needed to work out if she could, in fact, walk away from the family business and deal with the trauma from her skiing accident once and for all. Brody had walked away from competitive skiing with no real plan and couldn’t figure out how to balance his life. I respected their problems but I think this is where Shane lost me, just a little bit. I can’t put my finger on why, either, which is frustrating. Maybe it’s just that it seemed like they were both hiding from the truth and seemed stuck for too much of the story. I get that happens in life but being “stuck” isn’t really something you want in a novel. <br /><br />One thing I see as a pro in this series is you really don’t have to read every previous book to enjoy the latest. Each one features a different couple and they’re all somewhat connected, either by friendship or by blood relation, but it’s the town that holds it all together. And the puppies that always show up! So, what I’m saying is, if you want a brand new romance to read right now but haven’t read the rest of the Pine Hollow series, rest assured, you can pick this one up with no problem or confusion. <br /><br />I had such a great time reading Lizzie Shane’s latest romance, <i>Four Weddings and a Puppy</i>. I highly recommend picking this one (and the others in the series) up if you want a sweet romance that will leave you with a smile and a full heart (and perhaps a longing for a puppy of your own!). <br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Forever, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-82713594556659847412023-11-17T07:35:00.002-05:002023-11-17T07:35:00.144-05:00Review: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxwzjWgWPYw0MsjmyL5Giy9V-owp7XSNPAT3x7cGUHNmClw7g22qMgq9xYAhiPYlg7UKY2cTOGPLDxhM02nR_AB3cdUyG_2i8Ci1OYTBYKiZDaMz9CtO_nmzU1zGf9lr1jtVo-1wJtRfYJSFMZeJSj79u4OsrJ8pSC6CorDALPdxc8c8TyWNxNKNtK3Zj/s400/act%20like%20a%20lady%20think%20like%20a%20lord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxwzjWgWPYw0MsjmyL5Giy9V-owp7XSNPAT3x7cGUHNmClw7g22qMgq9xYAhiPYlg7UKY2cTOGPLDxhM02nR_AB3cdUyG_2i8Ci1OYTBYKiZDaMz9CtO_nmzU1zGf9lr1jtVo-1wJtRfYJSFMZeJSj79u4OsrJ8pSC6CorDALPdxc8c8TyWNxNKNtK3Zj/s320/act%20like%20a%20lady%20think%20like%20a%20lord.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />I was so very intrigued by Celeste Connally’s novel <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZUlx0I" target="_blank">Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord</a></i>. This new mystery series is set during the Regency-era and I’ve been enjoying these fun, historical mystery series featuring female amateur sleuths. This one, though? Meh. I finished it but I was only mildly invested and if it had been a library book? I probably would have DNF-ed it.<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #0b5394;">When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation—in front of London’s loosest lips—that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations.<br />But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper—uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy.</span></blockquote>This was the first book in the new Lady Petra Inquires series and also Connally’s first novel. Knowing it was the first in the series made it a little confusing when Petra referenced a number of past escapades on a number of occasions. As it was, I actually had to check a few times to make sure I was right and it WAS the first in a series. It was just so strange that she was mentioning these things that there was no way the reader would have experienced and it was weirdly difficult to let go of the annoyance.<br /><br />I know historical fiction, romances especially, have a tendency to put our modern sensibilities onto characters who are living in the past. I can normally look past it and enjoy the story for the entertaining romp that it’s supposed to be. But with this one, I wasn’t really sure how I was supposed to be feeling about how progressive Petra was. Was I supposed to be impressed that Petra hated that women were treated like property? Shocked that she had no problem with her best friend’s husband being gay (don’t worry - both her friend and her husband took lovers and their marriage was an amiable, if not a sexual, one)? I was neither impressed nor shocked and maybe that was just because of how the story was written. Maybe it was I found Connally was trying to beat the reader over the head with how open-minded Petra was and I really don’t think that was necessary.<br /><br />I really only kept reading to find out what had happened to Petra’s friend, Lady Milford, and to see if they could stop whoever it was from harming the women of the ton. And honestly? I think I was disappointed. The mystery had a lot of potential that I just don’t think it lived up to. That could potentially be because I was so deeply uncomfortable with the ultimate villain and the extreme gaslighting (and physical and other emotional abuse) happening. I just wanted it to be over and couldn’t relish Petra solving the case. <br /><br />Finally, the relationship between Petra and Duncan was so…weird. I’m a big fan of friends to lovers so obviously I wanted them to get over whatever had pushed them apart three years prior and get together romantically. But...I couldn’t really figure out what on earth that incident was. And why they were both so stubborn about it and wanted to stay mad at each other instead of getting over it. The hostility of Petra especially was so confusing. Another thing I couldn't quite let go.<br /><br />So, all in all, <i>Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord</i> was not a winner for me. I don’t think I’ll read the next Lady Petra Inquires book but I think I’d still be interested in reading another of Celeste Connally’s novels in the future.<br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Minotaur, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-69030577875947759122023-11-14T08:30:00.001-05:002023-11-14T08:30:00.136-05:00Review: Night Shift<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsqR9kqHgJJKuyI-mPmFwsNA_f7UJUoQkeqADgQwnrGtVhL68HwugDgMd86Q3W1kK3jpywVkXVhiEU2GftLB2oKjwzVICdxOX7KhwcNQOFbtezfA_V7wz_BYcWQHfML0dkT6w0CLB-H8wqLQipI_JCtPJi_8MB2uUJZejdESt0CTzUEB-sK1aEaDK0t-k/s2475/night%20shift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="1554" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsqR9kqHgJJKuyI-mPmFwsNA_f7UJUoQkeqADgQwnrGtVhL68HwugDgMd86Q3W1kK3jpywVkXVhiEU2GftLB2oKjwzVICdxOX7KhwcNQOFbtezfA_V7wz_BYcWQHfML0dkT6w0CLB-H8wqLQipI_JCtPJi_8MB2uUJZejdESt0CTzUEB-sK1aEaDK0t-k/s320/night%20shift.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br />My love of romance books and basketball collided in the steamiest, most enjoyable way in <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3SgZvDu" target="_blank">Night Shift</a></i> by Annie Crown. Our heroine is a voracious reader who works at her college library. Our hero is the star of the basketball team. And sparks FLY between them. I loved this book! <br /><br />Here's the book's description: <br /><blockquote><span style="color: #351c75;">The bookworm and the basketball player are about to meet their match.<br />Kendall Holiday spends her Friday nights exactly where she wants to with her head buried in a spicy romance novel while she works the graveyard shift at her university's library. She knows she could join her friends for a weekend of drunken debauchery and college parties, but she likes her alone time, so she tells herself she isn't hiding when she gets lost in the pages of fictional love stories.<br />But that all changes when Vincent Knight, captain of the basketball team, turns up with an injured wrist, a sour mood, and a pressing need for poetry recommendations for a class he hates. Vincent is tall, smart-mouthed, and challenges Kendall like no one has before. Suddenly, she's falling headfirst into her very own romance novel—but it takes a lot more truth than tropes to get to a happy ever after in real life.</span></blockquote>My November TBR list was out of control with books I had requested to review. I stumbled upon Crown's and said, no, Kaley. You don't need another book. But I couldn't stop thinking about it. I am SO glad I caved and Wattpad gifted me with an egalley. I would have been so sad if I had missed out on this book! <br /><br />It's been awhile since I've read a really good, solid New Adult book. I define a New Adult novel as one that takes place during college/university or in the year after graduation. You know, when you're trying to figure out who you are and what kind of adult you might be. (Which, honestly, we all know takes a lot longer than four years!) I started university (gulp) eighteen years ago so it's been a hot minute since I've been on campus. But Crown hit all the emotions I remember feeling when I was a student and I felt it was so so well done. The house Kendall and her friends shared may not have looked like the place I stayed with my own friends but that's the house I was picturing as they studied and had fun. The campus, library, and street where the basketball house was? All based on my own memories and the university I was at. I don’t know if others would have that same kind of reaction but I personally loved the little walk down memory lane as I read Crown’s novel. <br /><br />Kendall was a huge romance reader, which is always fun to see. Obviously a romance author is going to be pro romance novels but it's nice to see authors take a stand in their books. Romance isn’t something to be looked down upon and it’s about damn time us romance readers embraced that and stopped being or pretend to be embarrassed by our reading choices. Though, I must say, I’m with Kendall on some of the covers. I may not be embarrassed by my reading choices but I’m not a fan of some of the cover designs. They can be better. I also appreciated how Kendall talked about the difference between a hero in real life versus in novels. Just because you enjoy reading about Alpha Males taking charge doesn't mean you actually want to date one. It was a refreshing take!<br /><br />Kendall and Vincent fall prey to the miscommunication trope, a widely hated trope, but what made it bearable, and dare I say enjoyable, was that Kendall’s roommate called her on it. Like, duh, girl, stop spiralling and just go TALK to the guy! Talking is scary, absolutely, but I liked reading as Kendall put on her Big Girl Pants and worked on the budding relationship before anything completely disastrous could occur. <br /><br />There aren’t sexy time scenes on every page, by any means, and the ones that are there were ridiculously well done. They were steamy and respectful, which is hot as hell, especially when the characters are on the younger side and one of them is a virgin. Plus, how many bookworms out there have imagined having a makeout session in the library? Kendall got to have that and I was HERE for it!<br /><br />Romance readers will want to read <i>Night Shift</i>. I devoured Annie Crown’s novel in a weekend and was still thinking about it days later. It was smart, funny, sweet, and spicy and I enjoyed it so much. I’ll definitely be looking into what Crown writes next!<br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Wattpad Books, via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6641703196774430375.post-2867134054150365882023-11-06T07:32:00.000-05:002023-11-06T07:32:00.146-05:00Review: What Wild Women Do<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfUzyhrz5ch3AikKPX8xkoVn8Q48qgOhPYcFWoJH5wgUtSgG6nehkY0uFZB2ZVmnMmX2uEVbtXCxow1JYzu581vOc6mbOlbR70dlz-wNHSYx-j86EzQHAjpLAHgmK76gNi4NyGXb-zeoT1mDRzarXxNO0mIRiSJG-4cKLTQvwlHAt7uCMo05P7W-i-5T_/s400/what%20wild%20women%20do.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfUzyhrz5ch3AikKPX8xkoVn8Q48qgOhPYcFWoJH5wgUtSgG6nehkY0uFZB2ZVmnMmX2uEVbtXCxow1JYzu581vOc6mbOlbR70dlz-wNHSYx-j86EzQHAjpLAHgmK76gNi4NyGXb-zeoT1mDRzarXxNO0mIRiSJG-4cKLTQvwlHAt7uCMo05P7W-i-5T_/s320/what%20wild%20women%20do.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />I’ve been reading Karma Brown’s novels for a long time. I’ve met her on numerous occasions and have four of her novels on my signed books bookshelf. (With another that was supposed to be signed at an event in spring 2020 - ha!) <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3MwMUIy" target="_blank">What Wild Women Do</a></i> is her latest and it was phenomenal. I was completely riveted in the novel and devoured it because I just <i>had </i>to know the answers. It’s a must read!<br /><br />Here’s the book’s description:<br /><blockquote><span style="color: #0b5394;">A 1970s feminist facing the costs of loss and autonomy strives to create a better future for women at her Adirondack camp; meanwhile, an aspiring screenwriter makes a shocking discovery in the present that sets her on a course of rewriting her own story.<br />Rowan is stuck. Her dreams of becoming a screenwriter are stalled, along with her bank account, as she and her fiancé Seth try to make sense of what’s next for them after leaving LA. But when the couple takes a trip to a cabin in the Adirondacks, hoping the change will provide inspiration for Seth’s novel-in-progress, Rowan finds herself drawn into a story greater than her own—that of socialite-turned-feminist-crusader Eddie Calloway, who vanished one day in 1975 and was never found or heard from again. In a handbook left behind in the abandoned ruins of a once great camp, Rowan starts to discover clues to what happened to Eddie.<br />As Rowan delves deeper into the mystery, we meet Eddie herself, a fierce and loving woman whose greatest wish was to host women at her camp and unlock their “wildness.” However, Eddie’s wild ways aren’t welcomed by everyone, and rifts between camp owners threaten her mission. When Rowan gets closer to the truth of Eddie’s disappearance, she realizes that it may hold the key to unlocking her own ambition and future.</span></blockquote>Because I’m such a fan of Brown’s books, I didn’t really read too much about this book before starting it. That meant I wasn’t really aware of how much of a mystery this story was going to be. Which I liked! The tension was high without being overwhelming or too “thrillery”, which is not my jam. Clues were dropped but nothing was obvious and it only really made sense at the end - when it was extremely satisfying to know why and how everything happened so many years prior. <br /><br />Speaking of years prior, this is a dual timeline novel. We follow Rowan in present day (2021, technically) as she and her fiancé escape to the Adirondacks and stumble upon Eddie Calloway’s former camp which, in turn, leads them to learn more about the woman and her disappearance. But we also get chapters from Eddie in the 70s. The alternating was done well and I never felt like either story was being overshadowed. I liked getting to know Eddie and her friends and colleagues in the past and each time we hopped back in time, we learned a little more about her and what could have happened. Rowan and her story is the star but she’s able to shine so brightly thanks to the support provided by Eddie’s storyline. <br /><br />Rowan’s hunt for answers had a strong journalistic approach to it, which makes sense as Brown used to be a journalist herself. Rowan was intrigued by the story of Eddie and how she disappeared, who wouldn’t be, but she was also deeply concerned with finding out what actually happened and trying to seek justice for Eddie, a woman she never met. <br /><br />While the mystery in this story is what makes it such a compelling novel, it wouldn’t be as amazing if it weren’t for Brown’s impressive skills in writing emotional stories. I felt everything deeply, right alongside the characters. I was invested and concerned and hoped for the best for everyone, even when I knew that might be difficult. And I had those feelings because Brown is such a damn good author.<br /><br /><i>What Wild Women Do</i> is another fantastic novel from the incredibly talented Karma Brown. If you haven’t yet read books from this (Canadian!) author, you must change that and I highly recommend starting with her latest. I think you’ll love it too!<br /><br /><i>*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*</i><p></p>Books Etc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10920924552574859601noreply@blogger.com0