Have you ever seen the show Younger? (And is it ever coming back? #TeamJosh) If you haven't, then a little backstory: the characters work in publishinHave you ever seen the show Younger? (And is it ever coming back? #TeamJosh) If you haven't, then a little backstory: the characters work in publishing and the wife of one of the love interests writes a book under a pseudonym. A book about the time she spent away from her marriage to him, the head of the publishing company. Yep, "Kate" just up and leaves her family on a soul-searching quest and this book is basically about her adventures while she was away. It starts out self-involved and ungrateful but evolves into something more substantial. Kate wasn't away trying to regain her lost youth, just trying to find out who she was outside of her marriage and being a mother. She wanted her life to have meaning, and she wanted to pick her writing back up. I didn't love it, but I wasn't expecting to after meeting her character on the show. But it surprised me. I felt compassion for this woman. I empathized with her. I didn't wholly agree with the decisons she made, but I could understand them to some extent. I kinda didn't love the ending, though. Having said that, p. 58 was everything it was purported to be on the show. 😉 I liked the tie-in but that the book could also be read having never seen Younger....more
This novel was about what I expected. Extravagant and opulent, with insane family antics and expectations, and rife with food, fashion, and customs. TThis novel was about what I expected. Extravagant and opulent, with insane family antics and expectations, and rife with food, fashion, and customs. There were so many storylines and I'm still not sure which persepective was my favorite. But it made me laugh. It made me cringe. And it made me think on more than one occasion: And I thought my family was crazy. I definitely plan to see the movie, if only to better visualize the level of opulence, and I have the next book on hold at the library already....more
I never had any intention of reading this series. There's something like 25 books and I just cannot commit to characters for that long, nor do I anticI never had any intention of reading this series. There's something like 25 books and I just cannot commit to characters for that long, nor do I anticipate an author can sustain their own characters for that length of time. But I can't concentrate at work without an audiobook in my ear, and I didn't have one queued up and this was a freebie or title I picked up on sale on a whim way back when I first started listening to audiobooks and didn't know any better. Oh, and I saw someone on GR the other day griping about Stephanie's inability to choose between Morelli and Ranger and they were on book 19 or thereabouts, and since I don't despise love triangles, I thought I'd finally check it out. There must be something about those guys if she can't decide after that long. ;) That being said, I didn't hate it. It was a little over the top and ridiculous, but it was entertaining and even a little funny at times. I'm not disinclined to listen to the next book, and I don't think I'd ever see the movie based on this first one. But I'm still not willing to commit to all 25 books....more
I really enjoyed the first 2/3 of this book, and then it just got sappy. The banter and ball-busting and will they won't they of pages before disappeaI really enjoyed the first 2/3 of this book, and then it just got sappy. The banter and ball-busting and will they won't they of pages before disappeared and things got real...and unrealistic. These two characters were super-invasive, prying into each other's private lives because of a shared attraction, and yet neither was bothered by that fact, not really. And listen, I'm a romantic, but that ending was just too perfect, even for the likes of me. Coupled with the epilogue, I was ready to hork rather than swoon. I did enjoy the match-making grandmother, though. I feel that'll be my calling later in life: interfering granny....more
This was such a lovely story about missed opportunities and what-ifs and second chances and it had my heart full to bursting by the end. I get a touchThis was such a lovely story about missed opportunities and what-ifs and second chances and it had my heart full to bursting by the end. I get a touch more lovey-dovey around the holidays, and this story was such a cozy read...and I finished it in a single day which is quite an accomplisment for me these days. The story is told from the point-of-view of two would-be victims of love at first sight as their relationship evolves -- and devolves -- over the years. It was at times frustrating and bittersweet, but at the heart of it, a truly beautiful story. And exactly what I love to read at this time of the year....more
Rachel Hawkins books are always a little too cutesy for me, but I was actually in the mood for something like that recently, plus I just like stories Rachel Hawkins books are always a little too cutesy for me, but I was actually in the mood for something like that recently, plus I just like stories about royalty. Royals was indeed cute but not in a mind-numbing way. It was just enough...the perfect palette cleanser amid a bunch of dark fantasy stories....more
This is the second book in the A Chance of a Lifetime companion series, and I have to admit that I didn't love Zoe's story as much as Kit's. Maybe becThis is the second book in the A Chance of a Lifetime companion series, and I have to admit that I didn't love Zoe's story as much as Kit's. Maybe because I didn't like her love interest's backstory as much. And he's so distant; hard to get a read on him, even though half the book is narrated from his perspective. This is kind of hate-to-love but I never really felt the hate...or the love. I really enjoyed Kit and how fierce she was, but Zoe just kind of takes everything in stride. No chemistry and no emotion. Just meh....more
I'm pretty sure no other Lauren Layne book will ever match up to Walk of Shame for me. (Also, now I kind of want to re-read that one, now that I thinkI'm pretty sure no other Lauren Layne book will ever match up to Walk of Shame for me. (Also, now I kind of want to re-read that one, now that I think about it.) This was one of those stories where a failure to communicate just further complicates matters and it takes the whole of the book to get things sorted out. It was also kind of flat (read: no chemistry) and predictable and why can't all of her books be as good as Walk of Shame?...more
So, after having read three of these very similar novels, I've decided that despite their being sweet and thoughtful and a little melancholy, there alSo, after having read three of these very similar novels, I've decided that despite their being sweet and thoughtful and a little melancholy, there also more than a touch formulaic. Thirtiesh woman in need of some guidance meets or comes into contact with an elderly person with some special insight and develops a relationship with them to achieve their dreams, then when said dream is realized, insightful elderly person kicks the bucket. That might be putting too fine a point on it, but that's the general premise of the last three books I read from Jenny Colgan. And that's not even really a complaint, more like an observation. I just always knew it was coming and that made the death a little less impactful. But the stories themselves were all lovely and delightful in their own way. This one was probably my least favorite, but that might be because the heroine ended up with the wrong guy, in my opinion. But the guy I liked for her turned out to be gay, so I know nothing. :)...more
I've always wanted to have my own restaurant. But that's a journey I'd embark on if I won the lottery...not if I lost my job. Not so for the heroine oI've always wanted to have my own restaurant. But that's a journey I'd embark on if I won the lottery...not if I lost my job. Not so for the heroine of this story. She loses her job and her man in the same fell swoop and says screw it. She was a feisty one and I loved seeing her plan come together. There are just so many lovely characters in a Jenny Colgan novel, too. The setting becomes a character itself because it's so much a part of the story. I'd definitely visit the Cupcake Cafe....more
Since I enjoyed her Summer Seaside Kitchen series, I thought I'd check out what else was available from Jenny Colgan on Hoopla. She does love her foodSince I enjoyed her Summer Seaside Kitchen series, I thought I'd check out what else was available from Jenny Colgan on Hoopla. She does love her foodie-inspired stories, doesn't she? =) I loved the dual narrative of two women on separate timelines but with very similar trajectories for their life paths. I also loved the chocolate and the setting and the characters and just how introspective the story was. It was a little like The Chocolate Thief, but with more bite....more
I did not realize that this was a series until I downloaded this book. And then I realized that I missed the second book. But a quick perusal of the sI did not realize that this was a series until I downloaded this book. And then I realized that I missed the second book. But a quick perusal of the summary on GR and the bit of recap at the beginning of this book had me set to rights. I loved the deepening of the complex relationships first introduced in The Cafe by the Sea, and though this story got a little bleak at times, it was still full of the soul-searching I appreciated from the first book. I am definitely a fan of Jenny Colgan's now....more
I wasn't sure about this one, but I'd seen so many people talking about it on GR recently that when I saw it on Hoopla, I couldn't pass it up. And it I wasn't sure about this one, but I'd seen so many people talking about it on GR recently that when I saw it on Hoopla, I couldn't pass it up. And it was delightful and sad and, well, it definitely had its moments. The narration was great, and the storytelling was such that I felt like I was wandering the moors of Mure and discovering my love of cooking once again....more
Let's be real: we all daydream about winning the lottery. But how many of us consider the complications that might arise? I loved the MC's unflinchingLet's be real: we all daydream about winning the lottery. But how many of us consider the complications that might arise? I loved the MC's unflinching resolve to continue working at a job she loved, even after winning the lottery. Even when a top company sends a hot recruiter to poach her. Even when, in the process of trying to woo her to his company, they fall for each other. This was a really sweet story about taking chances and being willing to give second chances, and I can't wait to read about the other friends who won the lottery with Kit....more
Funny, sweet, and charming, this book was better than I expected after not having loved Tangled. It had its laugh-out-loud moments but it was also filFunny, sweet, and charming, this book was better than I expected after not having loved Tangled. It had its laugh-out-loud moments but it was also filled with just enough romantic tension so as not to be dramatic but to be realistic and heartfelt. Other aspects I enjoyed: second-chance romance, the high school teacher angle, going home to a small town, and crazy, kooky parents who need looking after....more
I still remember when I was determined to hate everything this author duo wrote because I had just read Sublime and it was, well, the exact opposite oI still remember when I was determined to hate everything this author duo wrote because I had just read Sublime and it was, well, the exact opposite of sublime. But then my The Hating Game fever hit, and I wanted to read everything even remotely similar and stumbled upon Dating You/Hating You. And it was really fun. So, I thought I'd give the author another try, first with My Favorite Half-Night Stand, and then with this one. Except I finished the audio for Roomies and stalled on the other because I just haven't been able to focus on an actual book. That being said, I quite enjoyed Roomies. It took the fake romance trope and made it more funny and awkward than I've read in awhile. Both of the main characters were adorable, if a little out of their element, and the side characters, most notably the uncles, really shined...even if they were being awful gobshites. Oh, yeah, did I forget to mention that the love interest is Irish? And he plays classical guitar? ;0) It was really cute. And made me eager again to read their newest plus anxious for my hold of Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating to come in at the library....more
I picked up this novel because it was suggested in a letter from the editor at the beginning of my ARC of My Favorite Half-Night Stand that said book I picked up this novel because it was suggested in a letter from the editor at the beginning of my ARC of My Favorite Half-Night Stand that said book "is perfect for fans of The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang, I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella, and Playing with Matches by Hannah Orenstein. Well, I've read and adored two of the three, so obviously I had to give this newest recommendation -- of sorts -- a try. And I adored it, as well, but in a totally different way. Because I kind of also hated it. That ending, anyway. It was just so...real. And heartbreaking. And devastating. But oddly hopeful? Because it was so genuine and the voice was so authentic, I really connected with the main character. Also, because I weirdly feel like I was her at 22. I mean, not the matchmaking part, obviously, but everything else felt so relatable. Even now. Finally admitting that a relationship wasn't working. Jumping immediately into another one. Still trying to figure out your own stuff along the way. All that was great. And I have to admit, after having a couple of days to write and rewrite this review in my head -- thank god, without it being diary-like but only because I wrote it and then deleted it -- I get it. I get why it needed to end the way it did. It made the story more focused on the character and her hopes and dreams, like the rest of it was trivial. And it was. And so, even though I was really hoping for a different outcome -- and I'm still hoping for a sequel or something -- I'm giving this all the stars because it made me so happy and then soooo fucking angry and then just...content....more
I've read a few of Meghan Quinn's books, but I'm not familiar with Sara Ney. Still, I decided to give this one a chance because that summary was kindaI've read a few of Meghan Quinn's books, but I'm not familiar with Sara Ney. Still, I decided to give this one a chance because that summary was kinda funny, and from what I know of Quinn's other books, they're also pretty funny. Sexy, too. So imagine my surprise when the book I thought was going to be a hawt workplace romp actually turned into a pretty sweet romance. It was a quick read, and though some of it felt a little forced at times -- especially the dude-bro humor when the guys were bustin' each other's chops -- it was still a lot of fun....more
I plan to come back to this one, I really do. But according to Goodreads, I started reading this on September 21st, and I honestly don't think I've piI plan to come back to this one, I really do. But according to Goodreads, I started reading this on September 21st, and I honestly don't think I've picked up or even thought about this book since. And that's with finding their most recent release completely adorkable. I think this is more of a 'it's me, not you right now' thing, so maybe I'll try again later. But DNF for now.
ETA on 1/30:
I gave up reading my ARC of this title several months ago because it wasn't what I was in the mood for at the time. But I borrowed the audio from the library when it became available because at that point, I was kinda jonesing for some Christina Lauren. Their books are either hit or miss for me, but this one was very middling. I can see why it had a hard time holding my interest upon my initial read. It was one of those stories where a little communication could have saved everyone a lot of time and energy and frustration. I'm not giving up on this author duo, but I'm definitely disappointed in this one....more
After reading some more or less happy-go-lucky novels from Amy E. Reichert, I was surprised at the level of emotion and grief I felt while reading thiAfter reading some more or less happy-go-lucky novels from Amy E. Reichert, I was surprised at the level of emotion and grief I felt while reading this book. Not as surprised as I'd likely have been if I hadn't read Lemon Pie first, but still. This story was pain personified. I've not known grief to the extent that these characters have, and my family isn't keeping any deep dark secrets from me -- as far as I'm aware, anyway -- but this story still resonated. It portrayed so many different facets of grief, making it achingly beautiful and poignant...while also making me cry, which is a feat, in and of itself. This isn't my normal type of read, but I'm left with a new appreciation for "grief" books. This was a slight departure from Reichert's usual: while still including something for foodies and remaining uplifting, it did so with a much more serious tone than I've already become accustomed to in my brief foray into her works. I enjoyed it, despite the tears, but I'm still hoping for the magic of Coconut with her next novel....more
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