Slightly convinced that these books are written by AI, but man have they helped to turn my brain off and pass the Me and my toxic traits again:
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Slightly convinced that these books are written by AI, but man have they helped to turn my brain off and pass the time. This one is about a turtle obsessed employee who goes missing, and her colleague might be the one to blame.
As always, bad characters, bad story, bad ending... but the ride is such a fun time. ...more
I have a new toxic trait: reading all of Freida McFadden's books and never rating above 2 stars
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Honestly, this was just awful. It has the dumbesI have a new toxic trait: reading all of Freida McFadden's books and never rating above 2 stars
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Honestly, this was just awful. It has the dumbest heroine ever and some pretty offensive depictions of mental illness. But it was some brain rot that I needed to consume....more
After her husband commits a horrifying crime, a British woman is left to clean up the pieces of her life years later.
I won't say more than 2.5 stars
After her husband commits a horrifying crime, a British woman is left to clean up the pieces of her life years later.
I won't say more than that, I think it's best to go into this book blind. But I was shocked at how bad the execution of this book was considering I've read Gillian McAllister before and given her a 5 star rating. This book felt a lot like we were talking around the issue instead of ever really addressing it, and it felt like it should have been a short story rather than a novel because it droned on and on. Very disappointing, but hopefully this is a fluke....more
One of those books where I didn't think it was awful, but it wasn't great either. I am not a religious person, so there were references when 3 stars
One of those books where I didn't think it was awful, but it wasn't great either. I am not a religious person, so there were references when I listened to it that went beyond my head. I think that was to my advantage when reading this story as I wasn't expecting certain plot points or comparing it as I was reading along. I liked the female MC, I know a lot of people found her annoying but I think how she behaved fell right in with (view spoiler)[ the childhood SA she experienced (hide spoiler)]. I also think most people aren't aware of how annoying they are themselves in real life. So she didn't bother me. Will I read the next book? Probably not. But I do want to read this author's Hades and Persephone story....more
Half-Light Harbor is the story of an heiress who revoked her fortune and moved to Scotland from NYC and the grumpy Scot on an island. Tierney 4 stars
Half-Light Harbor is the story of an heiress who revoked her fortune and moved to Scotland from NYC and the grumpy Scot on an island. Tierney fled her past, lost in grief she ended up in a small town opening up a B and B. There she meets woodworker Ramsay, an older man with a mysterious past. Right away there's an attraction, but both are in denial about this meaning something more.
Samantha Young is one of my auto-buy authors, I eat up everything she writes. She's definitely still in her romantic suspense era which is fine (if not predictable plot wise) but I still fall in love with her characters with every new book. This one sucked me right in and I loved following along with this story. Lots of feels with this one and I felt Young dealt with harsh topics in a delicate manner in this book. Some standout side characters as well and I hope they all get their own books!...more
The romance between two bookstore managers, Josie who runs a serious literature store and Ryan who runs a romance store. When the owner of 3.5 stars
The romance between two bookstore managers, Josie who runs a serious literature store and Ryan who runs a romance store. When the owner of their businesses decides he wants to combine the two stores into one and keep only one manager, the two find themselves in a competition to see which store makes more of a profit to save their jobs.
This book has been likened to You've Got Mail, and while that is a newer reference that will reach a wider audience, I think this book is much more similar to the film YGM is based on called The Shop Around the Corner (1940). This was a fun enemies to friends to lovers story, I thought the authors did a good job of showing the growth in the relationship between the two characters. I thought the stakes in this book were very well done and the third act drama fit the story. Some of it was too cutesy, and I think some of the resolution at the end was rushed, but it was a good time listening to this book....more
This was a surprising disappointment by KJ Charles. I was so excited for this story, I mean the cover of this book is incredible. Sadly the inside of This was a surprising disappointment by KJ Charles. I was so excited for this story, I mean the cover of this book is incredible. Sadly the inside of it was not. A convoluted mystery (???) that felt like it didn't know whether to be a mystery novel or a romance novel. Pacing was off, I felt no chemistry between the main characters and just the general structure wasn't very good. I was choosing to listen to music on my commutes rather than the audiobook of this which was very telling....more
The Heartbreak Hotel is the story of Louisa, a young woman in her late 20s who just broke up with her famous musician boyfriend. Faced with n 3 stars
The Heartbreak Hotel is the story of Louisa, a young woman in her late 20s who just broke up with her famous musician boyfriend. Faced with not being able to afford her rent after letting her ex financially take care of her, Louisa strikes up a deal with her landlord Henry to turn her rented house into a small hotel that she runs. Hence, The Comeback Inn is born and quickly becomes a haven for the brokenhearted.
I liked this book and can see why people love it, but some very big issues missed the mark for me. I felt after such a devasting breakup, Louisa sure got over her ex really fast and her falling in love with Henry in such a short time gave me whiplash. Because of this, I never really felt like their connection was a true love connection, more like a trauma bonding one for the both of them. Would have loved to see more of why they fell in love with each other instead of just being told they did. I've seen some reviews saying this is chick lit, I would disagree it was definitely a little more romance heavy (which is not a bad thing), it just had heavier topics than we normally see. A good book from Ellen O'Clover and I would be willing to try more, but very much a 3 star read....more
The story of Serena, a half human half werewolf hybrid and her mate Koen, the Alpha of the Northwest pack. After spending several months in 4.5 stars
The story of Serena, a half human half werewolf hybrid and her mate Koen, the Alpha of the Northwest pack. After spending several months in seclusion, Koen pulls Serena back into the center of his pack as threats amount against her. Soon, Serena realizes her past is coming back to haunt her and she must prepare to make all her family members safe.
Ali Hazelwood can be hit or miss with me, but the Bride series have had 2 bangers in a row and I hope many many more in this series. I didn't reread Bride before diving into this one, so I was slightly confused at first on the logistics but a quick google search helped remind me. The beginning of this was slow, a little too much exposition (hence 4.5 stars and not a full 5) but I loved it and it’s the kind of book that reminded me of why I love reading again.
I really liked Serena and Koen as a couple, once we got to their dynamics a bit more. They were very well matched and I loved the fated mate trope in this book. I thought there was some great tension and buildup done by Ali Hazelwood, I wasn’t ever really bored with this one nor did it seem repetitive (like some of her other books). I thought the plot was very well done and while predictable, still incredibly enjoyable. I can’t wait for her next book release!...more
Set a decade after the events of The Woman in Cabin 10, Lo Blacklock is married, living in New York and has two children. When she gets invited to revSet a decade after the events of The Woman in Cabin 10, Lo Blacklock is married, living in New York and has two children. When she gets invited to review a Swiss Castle, she takes the chance to have a break. But there, she meets some old acquaintances and is roped into a race across Europe.
Somehow, I liked this one better than Woman in Cabin 10?? But also I listened to the audiobook of this one and did the paperback of Cabin 10. Either way, my toxic trait is reading Ruth Ware's entire backlog and rating it 3 stars or lower (with the exception of 1 book). What can I say? The one thing Ware can do is set a mood or a tone, but I think she's pretty bad at her book endings. This book is no different.
It was interesting to see what happened to Lo after the last book, but this book was too long. I think it could have been edited down quite a bit. The story was fairly interesting, but I think I'll forget it shortly....more
One of those instances where yes it did define the genre, I do appreciate the historical context of this story, and everything western vampire lore caOne of those instances where yes it did define the genre, I do appreciate the historical context of this story, and everything western vampire lore came from this book. But the actual source material is a bit dry and not my favorite. Very glad I read this Sapphic vampire novel that inspired Dracula and countless other vampire tales, but my overall enjoyment while reading it was low....more
Did it take me 2 weeks to read this book? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Also yes. This book is so deeply unserious that you cannot help but have a g 3.5 stars
Did it take me 2 weeks to read this book? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Also yes. This book is so deeply unserious that you cannot help but have a good time with it. It's absolutely way too long and could have been edited down, but at no point was this book boring. The beginnings of a "why choose" romance between one woman and three men, it's ridiculous, but in a good way....more
If you are the casual America's Next Top Model viewer, this book is not for you. This is for the obsessed ANTM girlies who binged watc 4 stars
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If you are the casual America's Next Top Model viewer, this book is not for you. This is for the obsessed ANTM girlies who binged watched marathons on VH1 back in the day, or even sat down weekly as the show was airing because you had to see who got eliminated that week. The second one is me, I remember being obsessed with this show during high school and then college, tuning in every new season to see who was going to be America's Next Top Model.
Sarah Hartshorne was a contestant in Cycle 9 of the show and was the only plus size model in her cycle. This book is her experience from beginning to end on her specific season. As a viewer, I found Sarah's story fascinating. Surprising? No. We've known for some time conditions on the show were not great, but I was enthralled by this book as it gives you a day to day breakdown of what the entire process is like.
It really is wild when you reflect on what these girls went through for this prize. Hours of being "on ice" where when the cameras weren't rolling they weren't allowed to talk to each other, they just had to sit there. If they misbehaved their ipods and books were taken away and they had nothing to do. The judges were actually saying much worse things to the girls than we saw. Judgings were not 20 minutes like in the episodes, they were 13-15 hour long days where the girls stood in heels without air conditioning and it was not uncommon for them to faint. Honestly there's just so much.
I felt Hartsthorne did a great job telling this story from her perspective, we got to see the process through her eyes. She obviously had her own bias, but I felt she was able to give a pretty accurate portrayal of all the parties involved with the show. While she was telling us what was happening she also explained her feelings on everything and how she dealt with the show. I thought it was very well done. I really hope more ANTM contestants write about their own experiences on the show because I would love to read them....more
A young woman who loves to lie, weaves her way into the life of a rich couple in Brooklyn. But their relationship is not what it seems and no 3 stars
A young woman who loves to lie, weaves her way into the life of a rich couple in Brooklyn. But their relationship is not what it seems and not everyone is telling the truth.
I think this could have been truly great if it wasn't so much buildup. About 70% felt like exposition/set up and it really only took off the last 30% and by then it felt rushed. Definitely more of a vibes mystery/thriller than a whodunnit....more
Two estranged best friends reunite after years apart, both in bad situations in their life. They decide to restart a treasure hunt they were 3 stars
Two estranged best friends reunite after years apart, both in bad situations in their life. They decide to restart a treasure hunt they were on as teens hoping to still claim a reward. But spending time together reignites some old feelings, and neither of them are prepared for what that might mean.
After loving Sarah Adler's two previous books, I was excited for this one but it just sort of fell flat. I felt nothing for the main characters and wasn't even really rooting for them. The treasure hunt plot barely existed, a lot of this book was just the main characters wandering around town or talking through a window. Still enjoyable, but a fairly weak story from this author.
ALC provided by libro.fm as a part of the librarian ALC program ...more
I don't know what I could say beyond I really didn't enjoy reading this one. The suspension of disbelief is too far sometimes. Plus, it desperately neI don't know what I could say beyond I really didn't enjoy reading this one. The suspension of disbelief is too far sometimes. Plus, it desperately needed another Beta reader....more
I really don't have a lot of good things to say about this book. I liked Julie Soto's debut novel, I went into this one somewhat blind asid 1.5 stars
I really don't have a lot of good things to say about this book. I liked Julie Soto's debut novel, I went into this one somewhat blind aside from knowing it was originally Dramione fanfic.
I'm just gonna break down what didn't work:
-Worldbuilding/character development, some of the worst I've ever seen in a fantasy novel. A huge amount of telling and not showing. -pacing: very boring and unnecessarily dense with lore. The whole first 80% of the book was just lore dumping and it was tiring. -main characters had zero chemistry together
Some spoilery things I really didn't care for: (view spoiler)[ Them magically putting her virginity in a glass jar was honestly so fucking wild and not in a good way.
Also, the sterilization plot made me very uncomfortable because instead of actually making the commentary, you're using real world horrible acts and putting it on a white woman story. (hide spoiler)]
I will say, the last 20% of the book improved, but the day after I finished this audiobook I got in my car and you will not believe the relief I felt when I realized I wasn't going to listen to it anymore. I think this book is a good example of why some fan fictions don't always translate well to traditionally published works.
That being said, I am willing to read other books by Julie Soto outside of this world. I just don't think this one was good....more
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