I had a great time with this book! I jumped at the chance to listen to this audiobook because I was extremely eager to experience the next chapter in I had a great time with this book! I jumped at the chance to listen to this audiobook because I was extremely eager to experience the next chapter in John and Dellis’s story. At this point, I feel like I have been through a lot with these characters and I hoped that they could find the happily ever after that they deserve. This story had all of the drama and action that I had hoped to find and I found myself glued to my headphones.
John and Dellis are great characters and it is obvious just how much they care for each other. If ever there was a pair that deserved to be together, it is these two. It seems that the world often conspires against them as they faced one roadblock after another on their quest to be happy together. I enjoyed catching up with this well-developed cast of characters and loved the fact that the author was able to work a few surprises into the story.
The full-cast narration of this audiobook expertly brought this story to life. This cast of narrators did such a fantastic job with the narration so I almost felt like a movie was playing in my head. I thought that all of the narrator’s voices complemented each other very well and I found myself wanting to listen to the book for hours at a time. I do believe that the best way to experience this story is through the audiobook because the narration elevates the story to the next level.
I would not hesitate to recommend this book to others. This is a series that does need to be read in order since each book builds on the events from the previous installment. This was incredibly entertaining and I cannot wait to read more of this talented author’s work.
I received a digital review copy of this audiobook from the author/publicist....more
This was really good! I decided to listen to the Poe story just before jumping into thiThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was really good! I decided to listen to the Poe story just before jumping into this one and I must say that I prefer this retelling to the original. The House of Usher is dealing with some terrible things including the decline of Roderick and his sister Madeline. This story had all of the creepy goodness that I had hoped to find and proved to be an incredibly entertaining read.
This story is told from Easton’s point of view. Easton is a non-binary character and there is a complete set of pronouns specific to the story which are explained in detail. Easton goes to visit and meets Denton there, an American doctor. Easton’s trusty horse and a military friend join them on this visit. They start noticing some weird things immediately, including wildlife that doesn’t look just right. There is a bit of a mystery and some creepy happenings to contend with and I couldn’t wait to see how things would eventually work out.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a remarkable job in bringing this story to life. I think that this was the first time that I have listened to Avi Roque’s narration and I think that he was a perfect pick for this story. I thought that he added just the right amount of emotion into his reading. I do believe that his narration added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a fantastic take on a classic tale. I loved the creepy vibes and was hooked by this story. I cannot wait to read more of this talented author’s work.
I received a review copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts This was really good! I decided to listen to the Poe story just before jumping into this one and I must say that I prefer this retelling to the original. The House of Usher is dealing with some terrible things including the decline of both Roderick and his sister Madeline. Easton goes to visit and meets Denton there, an American doctor. There is a bit of a mystery and some creepy happenings to contend with. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a remarkable job in bringing this story to life.
This was really good! I decided to listen to the Poe story just before jumping into this one and I must say that I prefer this retelling to the original. The House of Usher is dealing with some terrible things including the decline of Roderick and his sister Madeline. This story had all of the creepy goodness that I had hoped to find and proved to be an incredibly entertaining read.
This story is told from Easton’s point of view. Easton is a non-binary character and there is a complete set of pronouns specific to the story which are explained in detail. Easton goes to visit and meets Denton there, an American doctor. Easton’s trusty horse and a military friend join them on this visit. They start noticing some weird things immediately, including wildlife that doesn’t look just right. There is a bit of a mystery and some creepy happenings to contend with and I couldn’t wait to see how things would eventually work out.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a remarkable job in bringing this story to life. I think that this was the first time that I have listened to Avi Roque’s narration and I think that he was a perfect pick for this story. I thought that he added just the right amount of emotion into his reading. I do believe that his narration added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a fantastic take on a classic tale. I loved the creepy vibes and was hooked by this story. I cannot wait to read more of this talented author’s work.
I received a review copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts This was really good! I decided to listen to the Poe story just before jumping into this one and I must say that I prefer this retelling to the original. The House of Usher is dealing with some terrible things including the decline of both Roderick and his sister Madeline. Easton goes to visit and meets Denton there, an American doctor. There is a bit of a mystery and some creepy happenings to contend with. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a remarkable job in bringing this story to life....more
This was perfection! I can’t even explain how joyful I was to learn that we were gettinThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was perfection! I can’t even explain how joyful I was to learn that we were getting a new Kate Daniels story. I was so sad when the series ended but understood why it needed to end. The fact that the writing team of Ilona Andrews decided to bless us with a novella/short novel featuring these well-loved characters is nothing short of a dream come true. Of course, I dived into this just as soon as it made its way into my greedy hands and I can honestly tell you that it is even better than you think it will be.
Kate, Curran, and Conlan have moved to Wilmington and hope to live a quiet life. Obviously, this is never going to happen because Kate is Kate and Curran is Curran. When Kate finds out that a child is in danger, of course, she has to help. So much for staying under the radar. Kate leaves with the boy’s father on a rescue mission while Curran and Conlan get their home ready for the fallout. This story wasn’t long but it was a very full story with all of the awesomeness that I have come to expect from this fantastic series.
This book had all of the action and excitement that I had hoped it would. We get to see Kate, Curran, and even Conlan use just about all of their skills. It was great to see Kate and Curran as parents sharing life lessons with their son all while making their world a safer place. The secondary characters were very well-done and often added a bit of humor to the story. This book was everything that I dared to hope for. I am thrilled that we got this opportunity to see Kate, Curran, and even Conlan kick some ass. I hope that we don’t have to wait too long to see these characters again.
I received a digital review copy of this book from NYLA.
Initial Thoughts This was beyond fantastic! I was excited to learn that Ilona Andrews had written a new Kate Daniels story. I went in with incredibly high expectations and I was not disappointed. Kate, Curran, and Conlan have moved to Wilmington and are hoping to stay under the radar. Of course, that will not happen as soon as Kate learns that someone needs her help. This story was incredibly exciting with plenty of magic and action. This is a story that I am sure I will read again at some point in the future....more
I really liked this book! I have read 2 of Emma Lord’s previous books and really enjoyeThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I really liked this book! I have read 2 of Emma Lord’s previous books and really enjoyed them so I was eager to give this book a try. Once I started listening to this audiobook, I was quickly hooked. Andie and her two grandmothers were easy to like with their snack cakes and determination to make friends. I couldn’t wait to watch Andie in her new college environment and I kind of wanted to help her find all the ribbons that she needed.
Andie was pretty easy to like right from the start. I loved the way she didn’t hesitate to go after what she wanted. What she needed to work on was putting her needs above what others were demanding of her. I liked all of the characters that we meet at Blue Ridge State, especially Milo, Shay, and Valeria. Andie was very lucky to be paired with a roommate that was such a good fit and it was great to see her really find her people. I thought that her family issues were addressed rather well.
I believe that this is the first time that I have listened to Georgina Sadler’s narration and I thought that she did great with this story. I thought that the voices that she used for the various characters really helped to bring the story to life. It was just so easy to slip inside this wonderful story for hours at a time. I do believe that the narrator’s performance added to my enjoyment of this book.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. I love that this book dealt with so many important topics, such as grief and learning to put yourself first, and did it in an incredibly entertaining manner. I do hope to read more of this author’s work very soon.
I received a digital review copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Young Listeners....more
I enjoyed this book. This is the third book in the New York Nighthawks series but it isThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I enjoyed this book. This is the third book in the New York Nighthawks series but it is the first book that I have read from the series and I thought it worked fine as a stand-alone. I picked this book up on a bit of an impulse. I was in the mood for a hockey romance and this book caught my attention so I decided to give it a try. This was my first experience with Tracy Goodwin’s work and I am happy to report that it was a good experience.
I liked Theo and Olivia and love the chemistry that they had with each other. They have been friends for a long time and never really thought about anything more. That is until they kiss and sparks fly. The fake relationship that they planned doesn’t stay fake for very long at all. My favorite parts of the book were the scenes with just Theo and Olivia. I thought that they were really good together especially when they let go of the stress that they were facing in their individual lives. I did think that most of the conflicts in the story weren’t really a big deal so it was a little hard to see why the characters were so upset.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. Like a lot of sports romances, there wasn’t a lot of the actual sport in this story but it was still an enjoyable romance between a couple of characters that were easy to fall for. I do plan to keep my eye open for more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Loveswept....more
This was really good! I was a bit worried when I found out this book would be from FeliThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was really good! I was a bit worried when I found out this book would be from Felicia’s perspective instead of Lizbeth’s like the first three books in the series have been. I had no cause for concern because Felicia is just as interesting as her sister, maybe even more so. I was hooked by this story pretty early on and found it very hard to put down. I found this book to be an incredibly entertaining addition to the series.
Felicia attends the Grigori Rasputin. She has been given admission based on the Tsar’s need for her blood since he needs regular transfusions of a very particular type of blood. She does not receive magical training and keeps her talents hidden. That is until she is abducted and it becomes obvious that she is very valuable to someone quite powerful. Before long, Felicia must demonstrate just how powerful her magic actually is in order to keep the other students safe.
I loved getting to know Felicia better. She is such an interesting character and I have a feeling that we only scratched the surface in terms of her ability. I really appreciated that there was just enough romance in the story to keep things very interesting. The mystery was very well done and kept me guessing until the very end. I love the magic system in this world and the fact that anything really seems to be possible.
I would recommend this book to others. This is the fourth book in the Gunnie Rose series which I would recommend reading in order if at all possible. This was such a fun and entertaining read and I hope that we get more books featuring Felicia as the main character. I cannot wait to read more of this series!
I received a digital review copy of this book from Gallery / Saga Press.
Initial Thoughts This was really good! I was a bit worried when I found out this book would be from Felicia's perspective instead of Lizbeth like the first three books in the series have been. I had no cause for concern because Felicia is just as interesting as her sister, maybe even more so. I was hooked by this story pretty early on and found it hard to put down. I think that we have only seen just a little of what Felicia is capable of....more
So I thought this book was the first book in a series but it turns out it’s actually thThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
So I thought this book was the first book in a series but it turns out it’s actually the second book in The Crown’s Wolves series. Oops. It turned out okay though since it read perfectly fine as a stand-alone even though there were a few loose ends that I am sure will be picked up again later in the series. I found this to be a delightful read and was hooked by the story right away. Ky and Vivi were great characters and I was eager to see how things would work out for them.
Ky and Vivi were both held captive and kept under the influence of others. They formed a lasting connection while in a very bad situation and drew strength from each other. They really were perfect for each other and seemed to be exactly what the other needed. Ky and his brothers make quite the team and I thought it was great to see them work together. The story had quite a bit of action in addition to the romance and I loved the fact that the story took a few turns that I didn’t see coming.
I would not hesitate to recommend this book to fans of paranormal romance. The romance in the book was really solid and I really liked the characters from the start. I thought that the magic system was very well done and somewhat unique. Now that I have read this book, I want to go back and tackle the first book in the series. I will definitely be looking out for more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Entangled Publishing, LLC....more
I had fun with this book! I didn’t go into this book with many expectations since this This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I had fun with this book! I didn’t go into this book with many expectations since this is the first time that I have read this author’s work. I do love a road trip book and I was pleasantly surprised that they made at least one stop not too far from my neck of the woods. I found myself flying through the pages once I started reading this book and couldn’t wait to see Miles and Lucy find their happily ever after together.
Feeling underappreciated and frustrated, Lucy quits her job and decides to try her luck becoming a travel influencer. Her boss MIles, who Lucy happens to be in love with, is lost without her so he decides to tag along on her two-week trip to convince her to come back to the office. Lucy’s plans are to travel Route 66 from Chicago to California stopping at all of the sites along the way. Her goals of getting noticed online come to fruition only after she posts photos of her travel companion minus his shirt. Lucy and Miles end up learning a lot about each other while the sparks fly during their road trip.
I liked Miles and Lucy together. I loved the way Miles finally got to know the real Lucy, which happened to be very different than the reserved woman he thought he knew from the office. Watching them open up to each other and eventually give in to chemistry was great. I really liked the fact that Miles really did want to see Lucy happy as he realized the job he thought she was perfect in may not have left her fulfilled. I had a great time watching them try to figure things out.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this book was very well done and loved the fact that it was told from both Miles’s and Lucy’s points of view. There was even enough humor worked into the story to keep things very entertaining. I hope to get my hands on the next book in this fun romantic series.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Entangled: Amara....more
This was entertaining! I read and enjoyed The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder so I was pretThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was entertaining! I read and enjoyed The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder so I was pretty excited to check out Holly Jackson’s newest offering. I was hooked by this story right away and wondered how things would work out. This book was filled with secrets and plenty of twists and turns. I am so glad that I decided to give this one a try.
Based on the book’s title, I had a good idea that one of the six on the trip in the RV was not going to make it home. I didn’t know who it was going to be but I sure knew who I hoped it would be pretty early on. I guess it is safe to say that one of these characters rubbed me the wrong way from the start. We see everything from Red’s point of view and I thought that she was a great character, although she had a few secrets of her own. I couldn’t wait to see how this group would handle everything being thrown at them. This book had plenty of action and a whole lot of secrets to keep things interesting.
Emma Galvin did an amazing job with the narration of this audiobook. She brought the story to life and quickly became the voice of Red for me. I thought that she did a great job of adding just the right amount of emotion into her reading. I found her voice to be pleasant and I had no problem listening to this book for hours at a time.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was an exciting story that kept me guessing until the very end. I hope to read more of Holly Jackson’s work very soon.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Delacorte Press and Listening Library....more
I have a fantastic time with this book! I listened to the entire book in a single day, This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I have a fantastic time with this book! I listened to the entire book in a single day, which is somewhat unusual for me. I was enjoying the book so much that I didn’t want to stop listening which is such a great feeling. I loved the sense of humor present throughout the book and I really enjoyed spending time with all of the characters. Apparently, this is the third and final installment in the Sunshine Vicram Trilogy and while I am sad to see the series end, I must say that it was a great finale.
Sunshine once again has her hands full. There is a girl found in a ravine that has been left for dead which leads Sunshine to discover that other girls may have also gone missing. Despite her promise not to do any investigating, Auri is once again trying to solve crimes. Plus there is the small issue of Sunshine’s relationship with Levi. I was so glad to finally see things getting resolved between Levi and Sunshine and was happy with how it worked out. I thought that this book was very exciting at times and I loved that the action was balanced out with a nice dose of humor.
Lorelei King is one of my favorite narrators and I thought that she did an amazing job with this story. I really like all of the character voices that she uses to help bring the story to life. I thought that her delivery of the funnier moments of the story was perfectly done and I liked that she was able to add more excitement to the action-packed scenes. I do feel that her narration added to my overall enjoyment of this book.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. This has been such a fun series with a lot of laughs, some romance, great characters, and solid mysteries. My only complaint is that it doesn’t look like there are any more books planned in this series. If that changes, I will be first in line to get my hands on a copy of the next book in this series.
I received a digital review copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio....more
This was good! This is the third book in the Fallen Empire series and I have to admit tThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was good! This is the third book in the Fallen Empire series and I have to admit that I remember very little from those first 2 books. That became evident once I started listening to this book but that is okay since I think that it works well as a stand-alone. It took me a little bit to really get into the book but once I got a feel for the characters and the story, I really did enjoy it.
Siora has always been able to see and talk to ghosts and once served as the nursemaid to Gharek’s daughter, Estred. Gharak served as the cat paw, or assassin, to the former empress and has made a lot of enemies over the years. These two are at odds at the start of this book but grow closer as they learn to work well together. They both care deeply for Estred which helps to bring them together when forced to complete a mission to ensure her safety. The story had a lot of action and I really enjoyed watching Siora really grow into her power over the course of the story.
Katharine Lee McEwan did a great job with this audiobook. I believe that this is only the second time that I have had the opportunity to listen to her narration and I thought that she was a very good fit for this story. I thought that she had a very pleasant voice and I liked the voices that she used for the various character. I had no problem listening to this book for hours at a time and believe that her narration added to my overall enjoyment of this book.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this book did a lot of things really well and enjoyed the action, romance, and fantasy of the story. I do hope to read more of this author’s work in the future and would love to see more books set in this fantastic world.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and Penguin Random House Audio.
Initial Thoughts This is the third book in the Fallen Empire series and I have to admit that I remember very little from those first 2 books. That became evident once I started listening to this book but that is okay since it works well as a stand-alone. Siora has always been able to see and talk to ghosts and once served as the nursemaid to Gharek's daughter. These two are at odds at the start of this book but grow closer as they learn to work well together. The story had some pretty exciting moments and I thought that the narrator did a great job with the story....more
I had fun with this book! I thought that it wrapped up the series really well and had aThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I had fun with this book! I thought that it wrapped up the series really well and had all of the action, drama, and romance that I have come to expect in the series. It was so easy to slip back into Tansy’s world and watch her take on those who wish her harm with the help of her friends, and family. I found this book incredibly entertaining and had a hard time putting it down once I started reading.
Tansy and her friends have their work cut out for them in this book. Vaughn’s father is in the clutches of Tansy’s evil mother, also known as The Executioner, and they need to find them before they get the chance to get married in Vegas. It was great to see Tansy work with her friends to try to save the day. Most of the characters had some kind of special ability so it was always exciting to see them in action. I really appreciated watching Tansy and Vaughn grow closer over the course of the series and thought that they seemed really solid together in this installment. I love that this book took a few twists and turns that I did not see coming which made for a very entertaining read.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a great conclusion to the trilogy and I have enjoyed each book. I love the blend of witches, vampires, and werewolves in these stories and appreciate the fact this is a lighter read. I wouldn’t hesitate to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Entangled Teen.
Initial Thoughts This was good! I thought that it wrapped up the series really well and had all of the action, drama, and romance that I have come to expect in the series. Tansey and her friends have their work cut out for them in this book. Vaughn's father is in the clutches of Tansey's evil mother. It was fun watching this group work to save the day. ...more
I was in the mood for something fun and this one definitely hit the mark! The situationThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I was in the mood for something fun and this one definitely hit the mark! The situations that Finlay and Vero find themselves in will never cease to amaze me. Spending a week in a citizen’s police academy was a very interesting decision, especially for a pair of women with a questionable history. What made it even better was the fact that Nick was front and center for much of the book. I was thrilled to finally get some progress in Finlay’s and Nick’s relationship.
While at the citizen’s police academy, Finlay and Vero are trying to figure out who the contract killer is to stay out of hot water with the mob boss pulling the strings. I had so much fun as Finlay and Donovan worked through the various activities in the academy and sometimes stood out just a bit too much. The story had all of the action and excitement that I had hoped for, along with more than a few laughs.
I would highly recommend this series to others. You could read this as a stand-alone but the events of the first two books do impact the events in this one so I would recommend reading the series in order if at all possible. If you are looking for a serious book, this isn’t it, but if you are looking for an entertaining story that will make you laugh, you are going to want to grab a copy of this one. I cannot wait for the next installment in this entertainment series.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from Minotaur Books....more
I liked this book! If you have been following my reviews for any amount of time, you haThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I liked this book! If you have been following my reviews for any amount of time, you have probably noticed that I am a fairly eclectic reader but I tend to stay within the realm of fiction. Every once in a while, I am drawn to a non-fiction title and it is usually books that tell the story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things that I choose to pick up. This book features not just one member of the Feehan family but 4. I learned a lot about the history of the New York Fire Department along with some of the experiences this family has had while doing the job.
As a general rule, I don’t cry over books. I have cried while reading but it is not a common occurrence. For the first time in quite a few years, I found a book that made me cry. This novel touches on 9/11 early on and it really transported me back to that day. I vividly remember watching that second plane hit while packing my lunch to go to work, knowing how terrible it was. Only to realize how much worse it could be when those towers fell. This book made that scene come alive and I guess it is safe to say that I am not completely over those feelings from that time.
This book covers a lot of ground going back to the very early days of NYFD to 9/11 and after. There were some events that were touched on that I remember making the national news when they occurred but it was eye opening to get the perspective of someone tasked with dealing with these scenarios. I liked the camaraderie that the members of the fire department shared and how serious they were about their responsibilities. There was some politics in the discussions of how the department has changed over the years which I found interesting.
P.J. Ochlan did a great job with the narration of this book. I believe that this is my first experience in listening to this narrator but I thought that he was a good choice for this particular book. I found his voice to be pleasant and I had no problems listening to this book for hours at a time, except that one time that I stopped to cry for a bit.
I think that a lot of readers will find this book interesting. There are photos in the hardcover which really help to make the members of this family come to life. I am glad that I decided to give this book a try.
I received a review copy of this book from Grand Central publishing and purchased a copy of the audiobook.
Initial Thoughts This was interesting. Early in the book, I shed a few tears and I almost never cry over books. I think that all of my feelings surrounding 9/11 came flooding back as they talked about a few details from that day. While 9/11 is covered in the book, this book covers so much more and I really felt like I got a nice history lesson about the New York Fire Department. The four generations of the Feehan family chronicled in this book were all very brave men that served their community well. I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a great job with this book....more
I really enjoyed this book! Alice, Lauren, and Knox were all wonderful characters that This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I really enjoyed this book! Alice, Lauren, and Knox were all wonderful characters that were easy to root for. All 3 of these characters had a lot of issues from their past to deal with and it was great watching them learn to connect with and support each other. There was just enough romance woven into the story to keep things very interesting. I am really glad that I decided to pick this one up!
Alice, Lauren, and Knox knew each other when they were younger and have been brought back together when they jointly inherit property from a woman they are all connected to, Eleanor. Alice and Lauren were best friends as kids but things fell apart and Alice left town years ago just like she is eager to do now. Alice had a crush on Knox as a kid but he didn’t seem to know she existed back then.
I loved watching Alice, Lauren, and Knox work together to get the property ready to go. They have a set of letters from Eleanor that helps to guide them through some of the issues that they need to deal with. I really enjoyed the fact that we get not just one but two romances in this book. I feel like these three needed each other more than Eleanor could have ever known and it was a pleasure to watch them find their way back to each other.
I would not hesitate to recommend this book to others. I had a great time with this book and quickly fell in love with the characters. I cannot wait to read more of this talented author’s work.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Avon Books....more
I had a fantastic time with this audiobook! This is the first book written by Mazey EddThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I had a fantastic time with this audiobook! This is the first book written by Mazey Eddings that I have picked up and I am so glad that I decided to take a chance with it. I loved Lizzie right away and thought that Rake was her perfect match. The narration of the book was incredibly well done and I found myself always wanting to listen for just a little longer. This is a romance that is definitely worth a read.
Lizzie knows all about making mistakes. She has ADHD and has a hard time with all of the things that most adults are able to handle like being on time, remembering appointments, or keeping track of her belongings. As a result, she has a hard time holding onto a job. She has a string of one-night stands in her history but decided to spend a couple of days with the hot Australian hunk she meets while out one night. Soon everything changes as a result of that encounter.
I thought that Lizzie and Rake were fantastic together. The chemistry between them was off the charts but I really liked the way they seemed to understand each other. Rake liked Lizzie for what she was instead of wanting to pressure her to change. He was willing to take whatever she was willing to give and he didn’t hesitate to stand up for her. I really enjoyed watching the relationship between them blossom.
Summer Morton and Will Peters did a fantastic job with this story and I loved how they were both able to bring these characters to life. I thought that they added a lot of emotion into their reading. I thought that their voices worked well together and I loved the accent that they used for Rake. I believe that their narration added to my enjoyment of this story.
I would highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. This book is the second book in the Brush with Love series but it reads perfectly fine as a stand-alone novel. I plan to read more of this author’s work very soon.
I received an audio review copy of this book from Macmillan Audio.
Initial Thoughts I loved this! Lizzie and Rake were both great characters and I loved the chemistry that they shared. They had a lot to work out and I enjoyed getting to see them tackle things together as they fell in love. I thought that Lizzie's struggles with ADHD added a lot to the story and I loved how supportive Rake was throughout the story. The narrators did an amazing job with the story....more
I loved this book! When I pick up a book, I always hope for it to make me feel somethinThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I loved this book! When I pick up a book, I always hope for it to make me feel something. Well, this book made me feel so many things. There were times that the book made me uncomfortable because the scenes felt so real. This says a lot about the quality of the writing because I really felt like I was there watching these things happen and it was hard. I went into the book blindly, as I usually try to do, which I would recommend other readers try to do because I think that some events in the book will have a bigger impact if you don’t know they are coming. I am so glad that I picked up this book.
The characters in this book go through some very serious traumatic experiences. This is not a light read because the things that happen in this book are truly horrible. I thought that the author did a fantastic job of illustrating just how these characters might have reacted and dealt with the things that were out of their control. The characters change in various ways over the course of the story and I wanted more than anything to see them come out okay.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This was a powerful story that I will not soon forget. I went through a wide range of emotions while reading this book and found it impossible to put down. I actually ended up reading the bulk of the book during 4 hours period where I didn’t let the book leave my hands. The author definitely knows her stuff and I appreciated the author’s note at the end of the book. I will definitely plan to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from HarperTeen.
Initial Thoughts This was fantastic! There were times when I almost had a hard time reading this book because it made it uncomfortable. This says a lot about the quality of the writing because I really felt like I was there watching these things happen and it was hard. The story took a different turn than I expected which I appreciated. I ended up reading the last 60% of the book in a single sitting because I was so invested in these characters. This is a book that I don't think I will be forgetting anytime soon....more
This was good! I found this book to be quite the emotional journey and I really liked tThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was good! I found this book to be quite the emotional journey and I really liked the fact that this second chance romance featured a couple a little bit older that has lived and been through some things. It was obvious how much Yasmen and Josiah still cared for each other despite their divorce. I am so glad that I decided to pick up this book!
Yasmen and Josiah were one of those couples that were just meant to be together. That is until their world fell apart and they didn’t know how to help each other cope. They are now focused on being good parents to their two children and running the restaurant they worked so hard to build. They are trying to move on with their lives but they seem to still be drawn to each other.
I really liked Yasmen and Josiah. I thought that they both grew a lot over the course of the story and loved how they always supported one another. They both want to put their kids first and are concerned about what reconciliation might do to them if things don’t work out. They had fantastic chemistry together and there were a few times that the things they said to each other made my heart skip a beat.
I would recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. I am a little amazed by how many important issues were incorporated into the story and thought that the way mental health was handled was especially well-done. I definitely would like to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing)....more
I was exhausted by the time I finished this book. There were things that I did like aboThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I was exhausted by the time I finished this book. There were things that I did like about the book but it wasn’t the romantic escape that I had hoped it would be. A big part of my issues may have been that I was expecting an entirely different book than the one that I got. I had hoped for a nice romance but instead, I felt like I spent the entire novel in Paris’s head dealing with his anxiety.
Paris is a contestant on a baking show, Bake Expectations, where he meets Tariq. Paris deals with a lot of anxiety so being on the show is a lot for him. We spend the book in Paris’s mind so we know all of his worries, insecurities, and doubts. I think that mental health is incredibly important but so much of this book is repetitive and predictable that it just wasn’t all that enjoyable. I honestly spend enough time in my own mind dealing with my own insecurities that I just couldn’t handle the constant stream of it coming from Paris.
I did like Tariq and really appreciated the fact that he is Muslim. I liked that he held true to his beliefs and his religion played such an important role in the story. Tariq’s roommates were a lot of fun and there were some truly funny moments in the book. I didn’t really feel any between Paris and Tariq so it was really hard to get excited by the romantic aspect of the story.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Ewan Goddard did a great job with the story. I liked the voices that he used for the various characters and I thought that he added a lot of emotion to his reading. I thought that he had a very pleasant voice which made it easy to listen to this book for hours at a time. I do feel that his narration added to my enjoyment of the story.
I think that a lot of readers will like this one a lot more than I did. I thought that the story did have some great moments but I found the bulk of the story to be tiring as a reader just looking for a bit of entertainment. I do hope to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Forever and purchased a copy of the audiobook.
Initial Thoughts I feel a bit exhausted after reading this one. I downloaded the book hoping for a fun romance but this was really the story of the severe anxiety that Paris deals with day after day. I did think that the anxiety rang true but it wasn't a ton of fun to read page after page of his insecurities and doubts. I didn't really feel any chemistry between Paris and Tariq so it was hard to really get excited about the romantic aspect of the story. I listened to the narrator and thought that he did a great job with the story....more
I really enjoyed this one! This story follows a young adult named Maddie, who has alwayThis review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I really enjoyed this one! This story follows a young adult named Maddie, who has always been the dependable one in the family, despite being the youngest, as she takes care of her ailing father and works at a job where she is treated poorly. Her character shows so much growth over the course of the story and I loved seeing her learn how to speak up and stand up for herself. I am so glad that I decided to read this fantastic novel.
Maddie goes through so much over the course of this story. I hated the way that her family treated her at the beginning of this story. They didn’t worry about how her father would be cared for or how the bills would get paid because they knew that Maddie would handle it. When Maddie finally does something for herself and moves out on her own, tragedy strikes. She has to deal with family issues, and dating problems while learning to experience life as an independent young woman.
I listened to the audiobook and Heather Agyepong did an amazing job with this story. She did such a great job in bringing Maddie to life which pulled me into the story completely. This is my first experience listening to this narrator’s work but I would not hesitate to listen to her work again. I found her voice to fit this story perfectly and believe that her performance added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a very thought-provoking story that packed a big emotional punch. I am so glad that I was able to take this journey with Maddie and would love to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received an advanced review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio....more
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