RTC as I have a lot to say about this. It was incredible.
Huge thanks to Goodreads, their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under RTC as I have a lot to say about this. It was incredible.
Huge thanks to Goodreads, their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it. ...more
This was cute! I enjoyed it much more than I expected. Sometimes unrealistic ideas don’t come across on paper but this one made anything seem possibleThis was cute! I enjoyed it much more than I expected. Sometimes unrealistic ideas don’t come across on paper but this one made anything seem possible. I was fortunate enough to win this e-book from a Goodreads giveaway and read the book in conjunction with the audio book narrated by Kerry Gilbert, who did an amazing job! I enjoyed the plot, the characters and even the ending!
Huge thanks to Goodreads, our author and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it. ...more
This was a quick read but for some reason took me much longer than expected. To be honest it just was one of those I wasn’t super excited to pick up. This was a quick read but for some reason took me much longer than expected. To be honest it just was one of those I wasn’t super excited to pick up. While I hadn’t, it felt like I’d read it before. I just don’t think it was personally a good fit for me. I did enjoy the activism of one of the characters, her interest in climate change and global warming. There was an interesting dynamic between mother and daughter, distant and disconnected. Both possibly causing more problems by with holding potentially important information. But overall I just wasn’t motivated to read it. I would try another book by our author in the future, I think I just didn’t connect well with this one.
Huge thanks to Goodreads, our author and St. Martin’s Press for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it. ‘The Block Party’ is set to release 7-18-23 according to Goodreads. If you get a chance to read this I hope you enjoy it. ...more
There are a few specific things that often make a book a good fit for me and this book had a few of those elements. It’s a good binge/weekend read. ItThere are a few specific things that often make a book a good fit for me and this book had a few of those elements. It’s a good binge/weekend read. It’s shorter and a quick easy read. It takes place over just a few days, the three days just before Christmas. And it focuses on siblings. I’ve said it probably too many times on here that I am an only child so books about siblings, no matter the dynamic, are always interesting to me. For the length of this book the characters were very well developed, so were their relationships. I enjoyed how very different they all are but how they share Helen, the mom, in common. I enjoyed this and liked our authors style very much.
Huge thanks to Goodreads, our author and Mariner Books for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it. ‘Flight’ is set to release 11-8-22 according to Goodreads. If you get a chance to read this I hope you enjoy it. ...more
I really enjoyed this one. Rounding it up to a 5. It felt so refreshingly new and original. I noticed and loved the use of all of the mixed medias rigI really enjoyed this one. Rounding it up to a 5. It felt so refreshingly new and original. I noticed and loved the use of all of the mixed medias right away. The story felt very current with its pop culture references, brands, products, trends, current slang etc. It felt very realistic and authentic. I enjoyed the characters and settings and the overall writing. Our author has a lot of achievements and quite the resume. I am now very interested in reading her memoir. This is a debut fiction novel for her I believe and I hope it is successful and we see more from her along this line. What a pleasure to have won this ARC, I so enjoyed it.
Huge thanks to Goodreads and William Morrow & Company for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it. ‘Cover Story’ is set to release 4-5-22 according to Goodreads. I hope if you get a chance to read this you enjoy it as much as I did. ...more
This was a crazy but good ride of a book! I really enjoyed it. Rounding this one up to a 5, it was probably closer to a 4.5. I wouldn’t say it was theThis was a crazy but good ride of a book! I really enjoyed it. Rounding this one up to a 5, it was probably closer to a 4.5. I wouldn’t say it was the most technical procedurally, or most suspenseful ever but it for sure held my attention and I don’t think that’s always accomplished with an easy quick read. I enjoyed the setting, our characters, the plot, and the writing. It was an easy read, which is really nice sometimes, but didn’t skimp on content in my opinion. I enjoyed our authors previous book ‘Not Her Daughter’ so when I found out I had won this book I was very excited and was looking very forward to it. It actually exceeded my expectations. It was one of those that felt more like watching a movie instead of reading a book. It really put me into a different place and was an escape. It took me a bit to complete but that was only because of the holiday season and some personal stuff, not at all that I didn’t want to pick up the book. This was a good solid book and I will for sure be loaning this out to a couple people. Can’t wait to see what we have next from Rea Frey.
Huge thanks to Goodreads and St. Martin’s Press for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it....more
‘The Portrait of a Mirror’ is described as being a loose retelling/“reinvention” of the myth of Narcissus. While myths aren’t a strong area of mine, I‘The Portrait of a Mirror’ is described as being a loose retelling/“reinvention” of the myth of Narcissus. While myths aren’t a strong area of mine, I can tell you about my experience reading the book. I don’t think being an expert in myths would have changed my opinion much in the end.
It was a rollercoaster. I was up and down multiple times, many times. There were parts I really enjoyed and parts I really struggled with. Unfortunately there were more parts I didn’t enjoy. I struggled from the first chapter with many words I had never seen before and many more I recognized but didn’t know the definition of. And there weren’t just a scattering. There were a ton and they repeated themselves often sometimes. To be blunt it made me feel very dumb and took away from some of my enjoyment. That most likely isn’t the fault of the author, it is my lacking.
I enjoyed the mixed media, such as emails. Near the end there were some very creative chapter transitions. The thought and intellect that went to this book must have been superb. I feel as if our author is incredibly knowledgeable in the content contained in the book and a great writer.
I think a lot of people would enjoy this book, it just didn’t happen to be a good fit for me.
Huge thanks to Goodreads and ABRAMS Books for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it....more
This book was exactly what I needed and what I was looking for once I dove into it! This is probably one of my favorite Christina Lauren books (My othThis book was exactly what I needed and what I was looking for once I dove into it! This is probably one of my favorite Christina Lauren books (My other favorite is ‘Love and Other Words’). I was so lucky to win this from a Goodreads giveaway, it was a very anticipated release for me and not having to wait until May was amazing. This book is set to be released 5-18-21 and Goodreads tells us “ … Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that’s predicted to change dating forever. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: this Jess understands. At least she thought she did, until her test shows an unheard-of 98% compatibility with another subject in the database: GeneticAlly’s founder, Dr. River Pena. This is one number she can’t wrap her head around, because she already knows Dr. Pena.”
At first I was a tad put off by this sounding like the book by John Marrs ‘The One’ (which I LOVED), but it didn’t take long to realize the story lines weren’t at all similar and this may end up being a more common thread in books as time progresses. There are a lot of similar bases for books that show up time and time again and we may end up with a few of these at some point. What’s important is that it stands out, and this does. It was a tad predictable but in a good way. This would be a perfect binge read, I know I stayed up way too late finishing it! I enjoyed the characters, the relationships, and felt satisfied at the end. If you enjoy their books I do think this is one of the better ones and will make a great summer read.
Huge thanks to Goodreads and Gallery Books for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it. ...more
I had almost purchased this multiple times so when I won this on Goodreads I was super excited. I’ve always enjoyed the music of Lenny Kravitz. I enjoI had almost purchased this multiple times so when I won this on Goodreads I was super excited. I’ve always enjoyed the music of Lenny Kravitz. I enjoy him as an actor, and have always thought he seems like a really neat grounded person with some great values. I still feel the same way about all of those things. This book gives you feelings of harmony, peace, love, determination, and flexibility. Despite the struggles and effort it took to get where he is today, it is still a very encouraging, positive book. It goes way back to when Kravitz was a very young boy. It not only focuses on him, it focuses on his parents also. When discussing his mom we learn about her and the financial impact her success had on her relationships, including the one with her own husband. We learn about the tension and strained relationship he has with his father. It highlights the hindsight and introspection about the dynamics of the relationship with his dad. We also get insight into the relationships with each of his grandparents and the bonds with them. We are welcomed into the neighborhood and childhood and adult friendships. We witness professional relationships. We experience lovers and family.
Lenny Kravitz turned down numerous great opportunities to be able to remain authentic and true to himself. There really is a lot to admire about him without any portion of the book sounding boastful.
I did find it a little repetitive on traits, facts, and statements. Parts could feel a little choppy. There was a lot of name dropping, but growing up in a “famous place”, with a famous mother and all the success himself it would be hard to account for everyday life without mentioning people and places specifically. Overall I enjoyed this and it was a fairly quick read.
Huge thanks to Goodreads and Henry Holt and Company (a trademark of Macmillan Publishing) for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it. ...more
I really enjoyed this, it had a lot of components that I gravitate to book wise. This book has sibling rivalry in all its forms. As an only child, eveI really enjoyed this, it had a lot of components that I gravitate to book wise. This book has sibling rivalry in all its forms. As an only child, even as fiction, I still find it fascinating. This book is about three brothers and starts right off with the funeral of one of them and we aren't sure who is in the casket. They are all carrying their own secrets and none of them are particularly "good" people. They are the definition of dysfunction. The book is primarily set up in thirds providing us with three different perspectives of some of the same situations. I can't think of many books that I have read that have primarily male protagonists.
I am not familiar with this author and it was a perfect introduction for me. I would gladly pick up another book by this author. I don't think it was what I expected, I think I expected more of a suspense or thriller and I don't know why I had that impression or what I had read that made me feel that way initially. It is more of a family drama in my opinion with a little mystery off the bat with what we know from the synopsis. The timeline does jump around a little bit and doesn’t seem to have a pattern or be consistent from what I noticed and would be my only critique of the book. I liked to dislike the characters and it held my interest the whole time. It had elements of surprise that caught me off guard and I thought the whole thing wrapped up nicely and I liked the ending.
The cover states this is on sale 11-10-20 and I’m curious to see others thoughts! A very solid 4 stars for me.
Many thanks to Goodreads and Scout Press / Simon and Schuster for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it....more
This book had some really great writing. It was brilliantly fresh and original to me. A real standout for my 2020 reading. Kudos to the author. Our maThis book had some really great writing. It was brilliantly fresh and original to me. A real standout for my 2020 reading. Kudos to the author. Our main character "Bug" is known as the best getaway driver east of the Mississippi, or at least was. He is making a living being a mechanic, a father, a son, and a husband, until he returns to some old ways to help dig himself out of debt and poverty.
This book feels like having the rug pulled out from under you again and again. It's like trying to climb a ladder with each rung breaking as you go. It's a reminder of what it feels like to feel like you have no options. Each paragraph is incredibly telling and includes not only the obvious window into the lives of those experiencing economic crisis and prejudices but also has you reading between the lines for stories and back stories hidden within. It is a reminder that sometimes as parents it’s no longer about us, that we would do anything for our children. It is a reminder of what family and blood both mean.
This book has one of the strongest most action packed last quarters, maybe even halves, that I have read in a long time. It is scene after scene of action. It is very descriptive and graphic, and incredibly engrossing. Incredibly fast paced. Actually though, my favorite parts were the parts of him being dedicated to his family and wife and the dynamics there. I actually would have liked a little more of those parts. If you are here for the action then you have come to the right place with this book. I do tend to lean more towards family saga so I am not surprised that those were the parts I enjoyed most.
I do have one critique and I'm sure it is my own sensitivity to the subject matter and that it was used for emphasis, but I strongly disliked the rant against someone of the LGBTQ+ community, and multiple notations and derogatory terms used. I understand there were most likely other terms that I overlooked or that didn't draw as much attention for me personally, but I think this book would have been equally as good had the terminology been different or the scenarios been a little different.
Huge thanks to Goodreads and Flatiron Books for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it.
What a good book to win! How exciting it is to win a giveaway and then even more exciting to enjoy the book! "Three Perfect Liars" goes on sale June 9What a good book to win! How exciting it is to win a giveaway and then even more exciting to enjoy the book! "Three Perfect Liars" goes on sale June 9th, 2020. This suspense novel is about three women, a fire that destroys a successful local business, and their many lies.
I really enjoyed the set up of the book which includes chapters interviewing the characters after the fire destroys the business. The remaining chapters include the lives of the main characters 8 weeks prior to the fire, to present. The interview portions made it interesting and feel more intense investigation wise, without being overly technical procedural wise. While three main characters all have reason to be upset with the owner Harry, and his company that is destroyed, this novel keeps you interested and guessing until the end. I enjoyed that it was not predictable. It held my interest the entire time and was a quick easy read and I wanted to know what was going to happen. The characters were multi-dimensional with adequate backstory on each of them so you knew personalities and emotions and motives for any actions for the most part.
Given that this is going to be released in June it would make a great vacation read if you aren't into rom-com or chick-lit or want a change of pace. Or even just love the sound of the book! While this does contain suspense and holds your interest it isn’t too technical and is easy to follow along.
Huge thanks to Goodreads and Gallery Books of Simon & Schuster, for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it. ...more
Some books come along at just the right time, and this book came at the perfect time for me. We just clicked. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve cSome books come along at just the right time, and this book came at the perfect time for me. We just clicked. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve cried. It only took me about 20 pages to develop giant alligator tears. Wow she took a hold of the heart strings right away and just pulled. I think anyone who has loved, lost someone, or even both, will be able to relate to a lot of feelings and emotions in this book. But it’s not all a downer. It’s a beautiful story with incredible characters. It was funny at times and made me smile. It’s touching. Endearing. Raw. Honest. Full of emotion. It contains vulnerability. And at times for me was indeed sad. It’s for sure one of those that I already miss the characters and I already wish I was reading once again for the first time. Those are some of my favorite books.
Lydia and her fiancé have been together since she was 14, for more than a decade they have shared their lives. Then tragedy strikes. She must learn to navigate her waking life without her fiancé. Even her sister the fixer can’t fix her now. She shared a best friend with her fiancé and now the strength of their friendship during tragedy and change is tested. Lydia ends up finding her own way back to her fiancé in a place without grief and she begins to change while visiting him in her other world. Managing both worlds and still healing herself becomes challenging. I hope you choose to read it to discover how Lydia chooses to navigate the best of both worlds. It truly was a wonderful story and I’m so happy Josie Silver has done it once again. I loved “One Day in December” and enjoyed this one equally.
Many thanks to Goodreads and Random House for providing giveaways. Their giveaway has in no way influenced my rating, nor was I under any obligation to review the book after reading it....more
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