“She wasn’t so much afraid of dying as she was of forgetting to live her life.”
If you miss the town of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls this one will h“She wasn’t so much afraid of dying as she was of forgetting to live her life.”
If you miss the town of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls this one will help fill the void. This novel is the embodiment of sweet cozy vibes for autumn....more
“She felt as if her blood had become the wind, and her breath had become the sea spray. She tasted salt, and she tasted freedom. Both were glorious.”
C“She felt as if her blood had become the wind, and her breath had become the sea spray. She tasted salt, and she tasted freedom. Both were glorious.”
Cozy fantasies can be a comforting escape and The Spellshop is a splendid addition to the genre. The cover is beautiful and inviting offering a glimpse into the breathtaking world within. Imagination runs wild through its pages as the plot keeps a steady pace.
Kiela a librarian escapes a fire and sets sail for a safe haven for herself, her trusty assistant the animated plant, Caz, and the spell books they could save. The banter between Kiela and Caz had me grinning. Who knew talking plants ...more
This was my first time reading Gabrielle Meyer and I came away with my expectations exceeded and a desire to read more of her work. This novel takes hThis was my first time reading Gabrielle Meyer and I came away with my expectations exceeded and a desire to read more of her work. This novel takes historical fiction, Christian fiction, and time travel an odd combination and makes it work. Pure curiosity drove me to read this and I’m so glad I took a chance on a unique premise.
The main character, Libby’s, life functions as a time slip. On one timeline she lives in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1774-1775. Williamsburg was significant during this time period because it was a center of political activity prior to the American Revolution. The other time period Libby lives is in 1914-1915 England and New York. Libby’s involvement in women’s suffrage is featured in the second timeline. As a rule, time slips in novels can be difficult to navigate, but here the flow feels effortless. I never found it confusing.
Her lives are in complete opposition in many areas. Her 1774 family struggles financially, but is full of love. However, Libby’s 1914 family is the picture of opulence and societal expectations. Libby knows that she will not live on a dual timeline forever, on her twenty-first birthday she must choose which year to remain in permanently.
The careful plotting became evident as events began to unfold. There were characters I liked and ones I loathed, but I thought the novel was smart. The dual timelines were a creative tool for showing rich historic detail and also provided thought provoking moments. I found myself surprised by the ending which I loved so much that it increased my rating from a four to a five. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️...more
This is the fourth book in the series if reading according to event chronology, although it was the seventh written.
The novel covers a three year perThis is the fourth book in the series if reading according to event chronology, although it was the seventh written.
The novel covers a three year period of the characters’ lives and quite a bit of it is epistolary. Anne’s personality shone through her words in her letters to Gilbert. Could you imagine receiving letters from someone as whimsical, imaginative, and outgoing as Anne and hearing about her adventures? I’d be thrilled!
Anne has a new job as the principal of Summerside High School in the quaint town of Windy Poplars. She finds unique lodging and friendships in a house known as Windy Willows. Its inhabitants Aunt Kate, Aunt Chatty, and Rebecca Dew were written wonderfully to play off of Anne and each other.
Not everyone in town is thrilled that Anne received the principal position.
One of the highlights for me was that Anne went back to Green Gables for the Christmas ...more
A charming tale of magical realism, A Novel Love Story, explores what unfolds when a reader not only loses herself in a story, but dares to find herseA charming tale of magical realism, A Novel Love Story, explores what unfolds when a reader not only loses herself in a story, but dares to find herself too.
Eileen “Elsy” Merriweather is a literature professor who has allowed heartbreak to cause her to retreat into a shell of sorts. Romance is something she safely experiences through the pages of novels and discussions with “The Super Smutty Book Club”. The club meets annually in person, until this year. Elsy is the only member available and decides to take the trip solo.
During her road trip a storm causes Elsy to veer off course. She arrives in a quaint little town that gives her a sense of deja vu. When she connects the dots, and realizes this is none other than Eloraton, the fictional town from her all time favorite book series, Quixotic Falls, she is living a book lovers dream. The town’s quirks come to life, the characters she knows so well are walking, talking, and living their lives.
The author’s quirky conversational approach to writing is what made this novel easy to sink into. This was my first reading anything by Poston, but by the time I was about 25% in, I knew I would be reading her backlog based on her style alone. I loved the idea that this was a book within a book.
I found myself wanting to wander the stacks at Anders’s store, Effable Books, because it seemed the perfect place to duck into on a rainy day and perhaps pet Butterscotch the cat.
I wanted to like Anders more, but the author gave little more than crumbs of this character. I wish his POV would’ve been included even a few brief glimpses would’ve made the book stronger. It was difficult for me to connect with his character when I was told more than anything how minty green his eyes were and that he smelled like black tea repeatedly. I need more than that. Give me substance.
I enjoyed the town in a lot of ways, but at times it began to feel redundant. Being a backwoods girl, the town opossum had me laughing.
I’m split on my reaction to the ending. I appreciated Elsy’s personal growth, but the romantic thread seemed almost squeezed in like an afterthought. It felt rushed and incomplete.
Despite its issues this is still a fun read. It is a delightful nod to that moment when a reader disappears into his/her favorite novel. And what a lovely moment that is!...more
I remember being a child and feeling like Anne and the supporting characters were people I knew and Avonlea was a place so familiar almost as though II remember being a child and feeling like Anne and the supporting characters were people I knew and Avonlea was a place so familiar almost as though I could close my eyes and visit just that quick. I’ve forgotten most of the minor details so the stories read like they are new to me, but the landmarks, places, and the gut feeling of experiencing something incredible gives me a wonderful sense of deja vu.
Big changes are in store for Anne Shirley as she heads toward her future, attending Redmond College. I had a moment of thinking back on how far Anne has come and was so proud for her character. While visiting, she is hit with the realization that life in Avonlea doesn’t stop when she’s away.
The quirks get real when, Anne experiences living with roommates from different walks of life. I loved the scenes in the little cottage they rent. Multiple suitors come to call. The way the author used these scenes was brilliant because she showed Anne’s growth, added humor, and further developed the plot all through introducing a few suitors. The writing of these scenes is smooth and flows nicely with the other plot lines, but Montgomery accomplished a lot without adding tons of chapters.
I soaked this beautiful novel bursting with life in and had to remind myself to savor it, otherwise I believe I would’ve devoured it in a single sitting. I didn’t want to miss any details and the prose is too lovely to rush through.
These novels cause my heart to ache one moment and soar the next with well placed laughter somewhere in the middle.
Love in its many forms is magical. Be it toe curling romantic love, learning to love oneself, life, or others, whether it strikes in reality or betweeLove in its many forms is magical. Be it toe curling romantic love, learning to love oneself, life, or others, whether it strikes in reality or between the covers of a book, there seems to be fairy dust involved. That sprinkle of glittery goodness making the mundane feel miraculous. Perhaps that’s in part why romance outsells other genres. Isn’t it wonderful to be a reader and know that somewhere out there is another book that’s going to bring that magic into your heart?
Kirsty Greenwood’s style is refreshing and engaging. I look forward to checking out her previous works. There’s a lot of genres melded together, but it doesn’t feel busy, only warm and complete. Each element fits and I can’t imagine the story minus any one of them. The magical realism in particular is strong without feeling overpowering and begins to feel seamless as the plot unfolds.
Despite understanding Delphi’s motivations, it took me some time to warm up to her character. She’s in desperate need of growth. Her journey takes her out of her comfort zone and onto a roller coaster of situations and emotions. Once I realized the kind of character Delphi was, I became a one woman cheering section. I wanted to high five her for every milestone no matter how minuscule.
The found family felt authentic in their interactions and connections. Mr. Yoon stole my heart so fast, I never stood a chance. The supporting characters had me heaving a contented sigh when they were on the page together.
The romance is the icing on the cake in this delightful tale of a second chance that might stir up bravery in a life that fear and sadness had frozen.
Your Place or Mine embodies that middle of the road feeling that a three star rating was made for. I didn’t find it to be super fun or romantic. The tYour Place or Mine embodies that middle of the road feeling that a three star rating was made for. I didn’t find it to be super fun or romantic. The two leads could’ve maintained a platonic friendship for all the chemistry they exuded. I don’t think the trajectory would even been thrown off by much if they had. I just didn’t believe the attraction. At all.
Serena and Ziggy have both been invited to house sit for mutual friends. Through a series of unfortunate events, they both need a place to stay ASAP.
Serena’s character had to deal with heavy issues that made her seem more realistic. She’s grieving, lost her home and job, and has relationship issues. I didn’t agree with how she handled her relationship drama and the resolution was not worth the page time of the journey to arrive there. Ziggy is an overgrown child. I would pity anyone sharing space with him. There’s two big plot lines and the way they swap back and forth is messy in places. The converging of everything towards the ending felt rushed and lackluster. The writing tries too hard to be humorous and missed its mark with me.
Although I never found myself 100% engaged in this story, the audiobook proved a nice enough distraction during a week filled with driving.
Overall it’s an OK read, nothing remarkable or memorable here though. ...more
Ella Cooper is living large: perfect home,✔️ perfect family, ✔️perfect car, ✔️and even an adorable dog ✔️. The only problem with her perfect life? It aElla Cooper is living large: perfect home,✔️ perfect family, ✔️perfect car, ✔️and even an adorable dog ✔️. The only problem with her perfect life? It actually belongs to her twin sister, Emma, who has asked her to step in and fill her stilettos for six weeks.
The sisters go together like tater tots and kale smoothies.
Never mind, that they’ve barely had contact for the past nine years. Because, Emma has made extensive lists. Guess who doesn’t read them? That’s right.
I began this audiobook on a whim during a trip to drop my dog off for surgery. I was nervous and needed a distraction. This book exceeded my expectations above and beyond! I couldn’t believe how quick I became invested in the plot, characters, and I love being slapped with unexpected twists. I adore a novel that can make me crack up laughing and this had me cackling.
“My body tells people the only working out I do is what my pizza is gonna cost me with my 20% off code.”
The fish out of water feeling Ella has trying to pass as Emma is heartfelt and genuine one moment because she has her own brand of integrity and she’s trying to make good choices, but Ella has shall I say flair?! The next moment it’s outright hilarious when she’s blindly bumbling her way through attempting to parent a rebellious teen, healthy cooking, and dealing with the local frenemies.
“To be honest, I hated being on the bus with the kids; it was like being trapped inside a headache.”
Faking It surprised me by being an uplifting story. The characters experience such growth and have spirit galore. There’s plenty of kicky dialogue throughout that I enjoyed and several scenes that crackle with energy.
There is a romantic thread woven in, but it is secondary to the main character’s personal development. As a woman in her mid-thirties, Ella, hasn’t had it handed to her. It was nice to see her take a deeper look at her own identity and come to terms with who she is and become more secure in that.
I found myself wanting to read more by this author because I love a humorous read with substance.
Whatever it is about one person’s life seeming alien to another, this novel cultivates that comedic gold.
There were only three things I knew about, The Kiss Quotient, going in the main character had a STEM based career, she was on the autism spectrum, andThere were only three things I knew about, The Kiss Quotient, going in the main character had a STEM based career, she was on the autism spectrum, and the book was crazy popular. So, I was in for quite the ride with this one! ...more
It’s been ages since I read a full length novel in a single day, but here it is! I simply could not stop myself from rooting for Mimi.
Mimi Perkins isIt’s been ages since I read a full length novel in a single day, but here it is! I simply could not stop myself from rooting for Mimi.
Mimi Perkins is a lovely free spirit who wants nothing more than to find her own little slice of happiness. To her that happens to look a whole lot like, Ren a fellow teacher, who shocks her when he quickly proposes. Before the ring is even on her finger, they receive the news that his ex wife has been in a life altering accident. Ren drops everything to help his barely adult daughters with the care of their mother. After Mimi’s fiancé leaves town, she’s soon fired. She decides to upend her life in New York and follow Ren to Connecticut. He promptly moves Mimi to the back burner of life making his family the near sole recipient of his attention.
I found the behavior of Ren and his daughters to be ridiculous. I kept thinking the apples sure didn’t fall far from that tree. He was a pushover where their behavior was concerned and they were too old to act so petulant. However, his actions paved the way for theirs. If he treats Mimi like she doesn’t matter why would his daughters treat her any differently. Ugh!
Mimi finds an apartment over a daycare, where she meets her tribe. I adored this eclectic group and parents and children! The adult characters had personalities that popped right off the page. The children were written wonderfully realistic. I laughed so many times and thought this author knows kids. It was easy to feel immersed in their little corner of the world. These moments shone so bright.
This is a fantastic book, I’m glad I chose it as my first reads pick for the month of May. Its message of staying true to your beautiful strange self, quirks, weirdness, and all is one each of us could use from time to time. ...more
A little Winter Solstice Special/epilogue to give updates following the hectic events in book 3. Not a lot happens to push the plot forward, but thereA little Winter Solstice Special/epilogue to give updates following the hectic events in book 3. Not a lot happens to push the plot forward, but there’s something special about witnessing fantasy characters partaking in normal activities.
I thought they could use a breather and it was fun to be a fly on the wall for the holiday.
There’s some obvious setting up for Nesta’s novel, her PTSD presents in a different fashion than explored previously in the series. It’s realistic to see fear covered in defense mechanisms and a backslide considering her trauma and lack of experience dealing with it.
In Part 1 the audiobook opens with Feyre’s return to the Spring Court and ends suddenly at the scene with her nightmare.
There’s much to consider and In Part 1 the audiobook opens with Feyre’s return to the Spring Court and ends suddenly at the scene with her nightmare.
There’s much to consider and many wrongs to set right after book 2. To put it mildly, a lot has happened. This book is a deep dive into understanding what it will take for our beloved characters to survive the looming threat.
Politics are heavy in the third installment and some aspects of character development seem a little shaky throughout.
The music adds a beautiful depth to the atmosphere of the audiobook. ...more
I’m floored by how this exceeded any and all of my expectations. This dramatized audiobook covers the first half of the story and it is incredibly welI’m floored by how this exceeded any and all of my expectations. This dramatized audiobook covers the first half of the story and it is incredibly well done. The scenes with The Weaver and The Bone Carver stood out as containing the perfect amount of eerie energy to bring me right into those moments without feeling over the top.
The full cast of narrators was a great fit for the material. This was a magical way to experience a world of fantastic fantasy.
Alice and Milo take center stage in this friends to lovers novella about two professors who met in college and have remained a constant in each other’Alice and Milo take center stage in this friends to lovers novella about two professors who met in college and have remained a constant in each other’s lives ever since. After fifteen years of friendship, both are ready for more, but neither are sure how to approach the subject.
There’s some less than bright actions in this book. *sighs* I think that’s a requisite move in romance novels to some degree, is it to stretch the word count? These are college professors though, is it too much to expect to see the bar set higher.
There’s not a lot of page time with both main characters together. The reader is teased with their interactions and the build up works in the book’s favor.
Penny Reid walks a tight rope balancing quirky characters with a touch of steam to bring romance to life. ...more
Isabel Allende is an author I have been wanting to read forever. I was thrilled when I saw this 25 page short story was available. I knew I had to cheIsabel Allende is an author I have been wanting to read forever. I was thrilled when I saw this 25 page short story was available. I knew I had to check it out. I don’t usually throw the word giddy around, but I’ll admit it. I was giddy. And for good reason.
Allende’s writing is exquisite. Her style exudes panache and humor. It makes for comfortable reading that you can sink right into. This delightful tale of magical realism is going to be for the reader, who likes to let their imagination roam and wonder, more so than the reader who requires a precise answer to every question.
Two lovers are found in a tangle of limbs on the floor of the museum. Are they intoxicated by love, booze, or the magic of the museum? Does it matter?
The lovers don’t know each other’s names and they don’t care. To them their soul deep connection says it all. The authorities want answers and they aren’t satisfied with the descriptions the lovers give of their magical night.
I would love to return to this enchanted place for a longer, more in depth read. In the case of this tale, brevity worked in its favor giving it an extra dose of magic, by ending quick as a blink....more
As a light Christmas read, How to Lose a Guy Before Christmas, is middle of the road. The title seems misplaced after reading, while the cover art suiAs a light Christmas read, How to Lose a Guy Before Christmas, is middle of the road. The title seems misplaced after reading, while the cover art suits the story.
The main characters owe a lot to modern day apps.
Lucy is stranded thanks to a winter storm and as a last ditch effort to make it home for the holidays she decides to utilize a ride share app. Who arrives, but the guy she ghosted at Thanksgiving after hooking up via a (you guessed it) hook up app.
Eric and Lucy decide to try to be adults and not allow their awkward past to keep them from sharing expenses on a six hour drive from Chicago to Minneapolis. Car trouble lands them in Tinsel, Wisconsin. Tinsel true to its name is Christmas on steroids. It’s over the top and fun to read about. I wouldn’t mind killing a little time in a town like this.
I preferred the supporting characters over the main characters. Lucy’s sister, Desi, (that’s right) is obsessed with true crime and her texts and phone calls added some great scenes. The senior citizen population of Tinsel alone kept me engaged throughout sections of this audiobook. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have finished it without their comedic input. I don’t have what I’d consider a refined sense of humor. Elderly characters dropping hilarious sexual innuendoes and kicky one-liners had me cracking up and saved the book for me.
I didn’t buy into the main characters as a couple. Eric and Lucy made sure to say they had amazing chemistry, but I wasn’t convinced. Besides it takes more than chemistry, physical attraction, and a few steamy encounters to build a strong connection. There’s miscommunication galore ...more
I was not prepared for the epic level of cuteness this book has going for it. Remember those book fair posters that had the kittens on them and said tI was not prepared for the epic level of cuteness this book has going for it. Remember those book fair posters that had the kittens on them and said things like Hang in there? That is the level of cute I’m talking about… Mega-Cuteness. ...more
I almost DNF this story, it was a close call. The writing style is good and there’s some humor here and there that kept me engaged. Portions of this nI almost DNF this story, it was a close call. The writing style is good and there’s some humor here and there that kept me engaged. Portions of this novella dragged like crazy though and were painfully boring. This is a second chance romance riddled with miscommunication. There’s holiday charm which helped, but wasn’t quite enough to keep me interested. There’s some difficult topics discussed towards the end that pulled my interest back to the characters and saved this from being a complete snooze fest. ...more
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