I love Keeley to pieces, but the pregnancy trope is just not my favorite and a lot of this felt heavier than I was in the mood for.
It does get betterI love Keeley to pieces, but the pregnancy trope is just not my favorite and a lot of this felt heavier than I was in the mood for.
It does get better later on and is still funny with lots of chemistry, but it’s just not the delight from beginning to end that books 1 and 3 were. And I expected, after learning early on what's made Keeley live her life with such abandon, that it would be more poignant.
I’ve read so many great indie romances lately—how is this happening? Story, sex, characters, humor, all done well and without the usual boost (from agI’ve read so many great indie romances lately—how is this happening? Story, sex, characters, humor, all done well and without the usual boost (from agents, editors, etc.) you’re supposed to get from traditional publishing. Such a nice surprise after being so underwhelmed by Not in Love.
First chapter is a little jumbled, but the rest of it is pretty much a funny, flirty dream....more
Speechless over how fiercely intelligent and empathetic this regency romance is. And funny—it’s so funny! This love story, featuring a neurodivergent Speechless over how fiercely intelligent and empathetic this regency romance is. And funny—it’s so funny! This love story, featuring a neurodivergent genius of a heroine, is infinitely patient and poignantly unusual and swooningly tender.
I love her, I love him, I love the writing, I love the scientific/mathematic/literary references, and most importantly, I love the author.
WOW. With two degrees from Harvard and this lovely pearl of a book, who needs traditional editing/publishing?...more
4.5 stars I haven’t felt this immersed in the life of a romance heroine in a long time. Her family and friend life felt real, their banter is super fu4.5 stars I haven’t felt this immersed in the life of a romance heroine in a long time. Her family and friend life felt real, their banter is super fun, and their chemistry is ...more
There was a wound in me that kept unknotting its own sutures.
This story begins with a young woman receiving a stroke of good luck: she’s hired for a pThere was a wound in me that kept unknotting its own sutures.
This story begins with a young woman receiving a stroke of good luck: she’s hired for a plum job as a handler for one of several individuals plucked from various points in history so that the effects of time travel can be studied. Her assignment is “1847,” a Victorian polar explorer named Graham Gore who died on an Arctic expedition...in 1847.
Unlike so many synopses, this one describing the novel as “a time travel romance, a spy thriller, a workplace comedy,” is pretty accurate. Readers who are more interested in the mechanics of science and hows and whys probably won't enjoy this as much; this is a literary sci fi novel along the lines of Never Let Me Go where the focus is on the characters, ethical dilemmas, and emotion. It gently, stoically explores imperialism and the refugee/immigrant/person of color experience in a white culture, as well as ethics and personal responsibility. The writing is provocative and lovely, with piquant observations, moments of wry humor, an appreciation for history, and clear-eyed candor on the marvels and trappings of our modern world.
A couple hours before the end, the narrator referenced entering the “final weeks,” and I thought a slightly despairing oh no because I didn’t want it to end. This begins as an enormously entertaining book (especially if you’re prone to, ahem, romances with Victorian gentlemen), but towards the end, it shakes off its restraints and also provokes genuine anxiety, tenderness, and empathy. This story surprised me in the best of ways and left me both yearning and hopeful.
4.5 stars for an astonishingly assured debut.
Audio Notes: I LOVED Katie Leung’s narration. Her voice, accent, and subtly nuanced delivery were absolutely perfect from beginning to end. Please hire Cho Chang to read more books! And not just those with Asian characters. (The male narrator does a nice job, too.)...more
3.5 stars Overall, this was very enjoyable. I wish the gothic/horror elements had been more vivid, and I The cover is so creepy! SHE'S SMILING AT YOU.
3.5 stars Overall, this was very enjoyable. I wish the gothic/horror elements had been more vivid, and I thought I was going to love the ending (view spoiler)[I got excited when she returned to the villa because I thought omg, this is shades of Eleanor and The Haunting of Hill House and it would have been a much more worthy spiritual successor than A Haunting on the Hill(hide spoiler)], but the plot ended up being a bit more conventional than I had initially hoped. And while there are flashes of wry humor and some zingy comebacks, I wouldn't call this "wickedly funny," either. The humor is actually a bit tricky, because I'm not sure the balance with the darker stuff was there or was sustained in a consistent way, though it certainly does have its moments. (view spoiler)[The thwarted Italian ghost following her around was especially amusing. (hide spoiler)]
The dysfunctional family stuff is so well done, though, and I have a lot of affection for and identify with Anna in many ways. And after The Villa, my takeaway is that we Americans should think twice about renting massive vacation homes in Italy with our loved ones.
Audio Notes: I liked narrator Andi Arndt's calmness, and I am no fan of screechy hysterics, but when there were actual creepy things going on, I would have appreciated a little more technical skill in showing emotion now and again. ...more
This was very nearly wonderful. It started off so strong—intriguing opening chapters, witty narrative, and promising characters. I liked it so much I This was very nearly wonderful. It started off so strong—intriguing opening chapters, witty narrative, and promising characters. I liked it so much I was mentally composing my “recommended for fans of India Holton or Katherine Schellman” notes and contemplating a spot on my 2024 favorites list.
But alas. The humor is not sustained and a few of the choices chafed, most notably how the duke/detective interacted with the heroine’s best friend. It’s fine that he has a good relationship with her, but it’s so weird that it is so free and easy upon first meeting (and numerous times thereafter), in this time period, under these circumstances, and well before a relationship is established with the heroine. And while I liked the romance focus + cozy mystery and I appreciated that he likes the h’s character as well as her form, I so did not enjoy the rom-com grand public gesture at the end. So trite, so not in keeping with the period.
3.5 stars
Audio Notes: Elizabeth Knowelden is perfect, as always—no one does light, airy period voices like she does. The real surprise here is the male narrator, Dennis Kleinman. His voice is subtly rich and nuanced, and he delivers various voices with distinction and ease, including female ones. A great audiobook experience, even if the book itself was ultimately a bit of a disappointment....more
3.5 stars Loved the sharp, subversive humor and atypical serial killer female protagonist. But the plot needs a little punching up, as it meanders a b3.5 stars Loved the sharp, subversive humor and atypical serial killer female protagonist. But the plot needs a little punching up, as it meanders a bit in the middle.
Bumping stars up because it made me laugh aloud a few times, though, especially as she takes tea and limits herself to a shortbread cookie instead of the slice of cake she wants, since she did just kill the woman's son.
Will be keeping an eye on this author.
Audio Notes: Audiobook is very fun. Fiona Hardingham ratchets up the ridiculous with enjoyable precision, only occasionally teetering on being a little too shrill—but that’s probably due in part to the text in need of light editing....more
3.5 stars I’m so pleased that YA authors I like have been successfully transitioning to adult books. This story definitely kept my interest, and while3.5 stars I’m so pleased that YA authors I like have been successfully transitioning to adult books. This story definitely kept my interest, and while the mystery part wasn’t specifically mind-blowing and isn’t that hard to unravel, I did very much enjoy our atypical main character and being in Lucy’s head. The snark was super fun (there is a distinct kind of cute boy smugness that is particularly irritating and I laughed every time Lucy thinks about it when she looks at Ben), as was the wryly affectionate LA stuff.
I didn’t love Savannah’s presence in Lucy’s head, and I think more time on the girls’ back story and some elements of the plot would have made this stronger. But I liked it, I am excited for more thrillers with humor, and I’m happy Amy Tintera is swimming in this pool.
Audio Notes: Both January LeVoy and Will Damarion had great performances. My only quibble is with the title music used for the podcast—it got really old really fast even an hour into a 9 hour book. It became pretty irritating because there’s so much podcast interruption (and I’d advocate for less podcast segments as well)—and I’m almost certain that same music was used for another audiobook with a podcast. Anyone know?...more
4.5 stars I have an uneasy relationship with faeries(THEY ARE SO TRICKY), but I LOVED this one. The use of magic is so immersive, the description of h4.5 stars I have an uneasy relationship with faeries(THEY ARE SO TRICKY), but I LOVED this one. The use of magic is so immersive, the description of her dress near the end is amazing, the deadpan humor made me chuckle, and the pairing of an unusual heroine paired with an unusual magician was pretty close to perfect.
Audio Notes: Madeleine Leslay’s performance is just perfect. So many voices done well, from Dora’s calm narrative voice to the many male characters. My favorite scene was at the faerie ball, when the voice she did for one blustery, good-humored character reminded me of the Walrus in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. It made me laugh. ...more
I’m not normally big on epistolary novels (and 50% of this consists of annual Valentine’s Day emails taking place over 10 years), but it is absolutelyI’m not normally big on epistolary novels (and 50% of this consists of annual Valentine’s Day emails taking place over 10 years), but it is absolutely bonkers how cute this is. I really need to read a full length Christina Lauren book sometime.
3.5 stars~ Unexpectedly heavy at times because her grandmother has entered hospice care, but still enjoyable. Covers a lot of ground for a short story3.5 stars~ Unexpectedly heavy at times because her grandmother has entered hospice care, but still enjoyable. Covers a lot of ground for a short story, though after taking the time to set things up, a little more time at the end would have made it even better. Satisfying romance, grandmother subplot, and ending, though. ...more
--great heroine --humorous tone —sex-positive --not much slut-shaming except by those whose opinions you aren't supposed to care3.5 stars
Really enjoyed:
--great heroine --humorous tone —sex-positive --not much slut-shaming except by those whose opinions you aren't supposed to care for anyway.
Would have been 4 stars if: (mild spoilers, obviously)
--The duel didn't feel so shoehorned. --Their parting and then coming together was more emotional and hard-won. --The female friendships had been further developed. --Her marriage and back story had been given more time and depth. --Magic baby wasn't granted to the barren.
The appeal of the fictional Raven Prince book excerpts that opened each chapter was also lost on me. I didn’t care, didn't find them compelling, and skipped right over them, but that's just the sort of reader I am.
But! I like the author's writing and will be trying her others....more
Liked, but it felt overly long by at least 100 pages. The relationships hinging on drawn out miscommunication got old, especially since it’s one of thLiked, but it felt overly long by at least 100 pages. The relationships hinging on drawn out miscommunication got old, especially since it’s one of the major reasons they broke up and the book takes forever to tell you that.
I liked the narrative voice though, and the humor, and I’ll try another book by this author for sure. ...more
Wendy Darling
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