Brynn is divorced and wants to find a new HEA. She lives with Josh to help pay the rent but doesn’t know him well. He bartends at night and their path Brynn is divorced and wants to find a new HEA. She lives with Josh to help pay the rent but doesn’t know him well. He bartends at night and their paths don’t cross much. Her escape is her beloved teen tv series Carson’s Cove from the 90s. Think Dawson’s Creek, 90210, Gilmore Girls or whatever pops into your mind. When she makes a birthday wish somehow she and Josh wake up the next morning in Carson’s Cove. The series was canceled without having a good finale. It is up to Brynn and Josh to figure out an ending or some way for them to get back to their own lives.
The premise is clever. And I love the vibe of familiar tv tropes. The author even lists many of the shows that inspired parts of the story. Overall it is a feel good story and includes some heat. I would have liked to have more scenes of Josh and Brynn together developing their romance. But they do share their backgrounds so I feel I know them. And there are some genuinely funny moments along with the tv nostalgia. This fits the definition of a rom-com and it is easy to recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC and I am leaving an honest review....more
Book Club August 2024. Newbery Medal winner. My book club always reads the Newbery winner and this year it is a book about animals. Johannes, is a wilBook Club August 2024. Newbery Medal winner. My book club always reads the Newbery winner and this year it is a book about animals. Johannes, is a wild dog who lives by a park near the sea. He is charged by the three ancient Bison to be their eyes and keep watch over the park. He is helped by a pelican, squirrel, raccoon and seagull. Told through his eyes Johannes is great. I love how he has no concept of numbers or speed and time. He brags of his running at the speed of light much like a child would brag of their exploits. There is a story of changes in the park but it is simple things like a new building or goats being added. And along the way Johannes learns more about himself. Most of my book club had a hard time getting into the story in the beginning. One said she tried reading it to her grandson but it was too slow for him or he was too young. But we enjoyed hearing the story of animals through Johannes eyes....more
I was excited to read this story from an author I’ve read before and enjoyed. But this book took me longer to get into than I expected. Cilla Davis is I was excited to read this story from an author I’ve read before and enjoyed. But this book took me longer to get into than I expected. Cilla Davis is a librarian (yay!) who feels settled but not in a good way. She has a steady job, a girlfriend who takes their status quo relationship for granted and Benson her dog. She knows she is in a rut and decides to start walking Benson more and even begin jogging. Cilla meets Lucky when their dogs become fast friends. Lucky lives nearby but is considered reclusive by townspeople. She seems mysterious but is welcoming to Cilla.
I don’t want to get into the rest of the plot but there is a bit of mystery and fantasy magic in play. I like the magical elements but I struggled with Cilla. I can understand her trying to find herself again by trying to get in shape, trimming her hair and making a new friend. But I was less thrilled that she didn't end things with her girlfriend first. The GF isn’t bad but isn’t the right fit or has the same goals as Cilla. Everyone stays friendly. Lucky is a very interesting character and I liked learning about her. But overall I felt the story meandered. I’m not sure what I was to get out of Thanksgiving with Cilla’s family. I do enjoy how descriptive the author is in her writing. But I cared less about the romance.
The story begins with Delphie in the waiting room of the afterlife. She is 27 and still a virgin (not that there's anything wrong with that). While thThe story begins with Delphie in the waiting room of the afterlife. She is 27 and still a virgin (not that there's anything wrong with that). While there she literally bumps into a hot stranger and there is a connection and spark. They are interrupted when her hot guy Jonah is whisked away because his appearance was premature. Through a loophole Delphie is offered the chance to return to earth for ten days. If she can find Jonah, a potential soulmate, and get him to kiss her willingly, she can stay on earth.
The quest isn’t as easy as it sounds as it takes quite a while for her to find a Jonah T. that lives in London. In the meantime Delphie is living her life, helping care for her elderly neighbor Mr. Yoon and getting help from grumpy neighbor Cooper. There are some funny moments and Delphie is very quirky. Some of the story is predictable but that doesn’t make it less enjoyable. For me this is more general fiction than romance because so much of the story is spent on trying to find Jonah even though there is a romance and HEA. It is a subtle difference.
This is a light fantasy and a fun read. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. ...more
Since it is mentioned in the blurb it isn’t a spoiler to share that this involves waking up in a different reality. Liv’s life hasn’t turned out how sSince it is mentioned in the blurb it isn’t a spoiler to share that this involves waking up in a different reality. Liv’s life hasn’t turned out how she wanted. She didn’t go to Julliard and become a famous actress as planned. She stays home to help her mom. At the moment she is MOH for her life long best friend Masha. The downside is the best man is her high school rival Jake. He has gone on to a be a famous tv personality. She has so much animosity for the prom night when they almost kissed. During the wedding Liv wakes up in a different world where she is famous and she and Jake are in love. But her other relationships have changed. She wants to get back to the reality that she knows.
Because I knew it was coming I kept waiting for the switch, which comes over 25 percent in the story. I found Jake very, very annoying up to that point so it was hard to cheer for a romance. But the alternate reality convinces me he is worthy of her. I did have some unanswered questions. Olivia’s mom won’t speak to her in the “high life" but the situation is never explained. I wanted to know more about something that would cause such a dramatic shift. Jake’s relationship with his dad isn’t explained well in either life. And was Jake happy being famous? I didn’t understand Liv’s need for Jake to be famous or even why she valued that so much on her tally chart. I think there are a lot of details that got dropped in trying to create two varying universes.
This is a cute fantasy premise and a fairly quick read. I decided to let my questions go and just flow with the idea that Liv wants her universe and life can be messy in any world. If you enjoy fantasy mixed in with contemporary romance you’ll probably enjoy this book. This is only my second book I’ve read from the author but I will look for more to come. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)...more
I don’t read a lot of fantasy but with an author like Missouri Vaun I chose to read Sacred Ground. As the blurb describes Jordan Price is a demon huntI don’t read a lot of fantasy but with an author like Missouri Vaun I chose to read Sacred Ground. As the blurb describes Jordan Price is a demon hunter. Approaching the age of 42 she decides it is time to retire but agrees to one more job from the guild. It ends up with her injured and recovering at her family cabin. Grace Jameson is a ghost writer and reporter who comes to San Francisco to meet a potential client. She wakes alone in the woods and comes upon Jordan’s cabin seeking help.
I liked the first half of the book with some world building and showing Jordan’s character. I wasn’t really drawn in by the romance or the tension of would Jordan, who sees the world as good or evil, really slay Grace if she turns into a vampire. I did like the action sequences and found them exciting. The ending felt like it was setting up for another story in this world. If it continues on I would read it to see what happens. But I wasn’t totally satisfied if this is where it ends.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review....more
The book begins with a very fun fantasy premise. Once every ten years in a small California town there is a lottery. The winner gets to choose to brinThe book begins with a very fun fantasy premise. Once every ten years in a small California town there is a lottery. The winner gets to choose to bring back someone who is dead back to life for thirty days. The person can only be recognized by those who live in town and they can’t share anything about the afterlife.
Wilson (Wil) Moss wins and chooses to bring back her childhood best friend Annie LeBlanc. For their senior year of high school Annie’s family sends her to a private school and Annie disappears from the friendship. At the same time Ryan who was the third person in the friend group also stops being friendly to Wil. When Annie returns Ryan is still antagonistic to both. Wil wants her friends back and not to feel lonely. She also gets caught up in the idea that there may be a way for Annie to stay alive.
With the premise and the blurb I thought the focus would be on keeping Annie from returning to the dead. Instead there is Wil going to her first party or getting drunk and singing karaoke. This is a YA book but the group break up is very juvenile. The feelings are spelled out better later but doesn’t totally explain why Ryan has been such a jerk for over a year. And I couldn’t get into wanting them to be together. A possible romance feels stuck in without purpose. I did like Wil’s mother and Wil’s relationship to her ex-step father.
Overall it is a sweet story, it deals with friends, feelings and relationships. But the middle feels muddled and slow. It doesn’t help that the blurb, while technically correct, gives a misleading impression of what the story is about. Recommend for middle school and up. Thank you to St. Martins Press for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review....more
Nora Roberts is the queen of whatever she writes and her suspense romances are outstanding. Thea and her brother Rem are 12 and 10 when the story begiNora Roberts is the queen of whatever she writes and her suspense romances are outstanding. Thea and her brother Rem are 12 and 10 when the story begins. They are having their regular summer visit with Grandma Lucy in Kentucky when tragedy strikes. Their parents are murdered in their own home. But Thea and Lucy have the gift or “shine” that runs in women in the family and they see it happen. With Thea’s help the police are able to capture and convict the killer.
The romance part of the story begins with Thea having finished college and settled into her career. She lives down the road from Grammie and her new neighbor is her teenage crush. He is a single father of an adorable four year old boy. The friendship to romance is sweet and flows naturally. I especially love Robert’s writing in what I call friend speak. The abbreviated way people talk when they really know each other. It isn’t always full out formal writing. I love Thea, her easy confidence and southern kindness. But of course out in the world is the evil man who took her parents' life. And he has found a way to connect to her with his own shine.
I was in love with the romance and on the edge of my seat for how the suspense part would play out. I was thrilled to get an ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review....more
Astra Vaughn is 17 and has the ability to see and talk to ghosts. It is a gift or curse she inherits from her mother. Astra comes off as a struggling Astra Vaughn is 17 and has the ability to see and talk to ghosts. It is a gift or curse she inherits from her mother. Astra comes off as a struggling loner in the beginning of the story. She wears multiple sweaters because ghosts bring coldness and she wears headphones to tune out ghosts speaking to her. Isla, a teen roughly her age, begins talking to her at school and follows her home. Isla has a list of things that she wants to do and Astra agrees to help her. Along the way they become friends. If they finish the list will Isla go away? And then the author adds in a new twist.
This is a YA book aimed at younger teens and up. Nothing is very gruesome even though ghosts appear often with their cause of death visible. It reminded me of Meg Cabot’s YA Mediator series which I love. Astra seems to be OCD or neurodivergent but it is never explicitly stated. The relationship between Isla and Astra is sweet and the helps go in both directions. Astra blooms with her new friendship and even makes a new friend at school too.
I loved the beautiful cover (that at the moment is not showing on Goodreads). This is easy story to recommend for 13 and up. ...more
Expiration Dates has such an interesting premise. If you knew when you met someone how long the relationship will last does it change how you are withExpiration Dates has such an interesting premise. If you knew when you met someone how long the relationship will last does it change how you are with the person? Daphne Bell mysteriously gets a paper with a date on it when she meets a new potential man for a relationship. The story begins with her being set up on a blind date with Jake and his paper only has his name and not an end date. As she begins dating him you get the back story of her other relationships whether they were weeks, months, years or even a one night stand. It also follows her career path as well.
This is a closed door, general (women’s) fiction, focusing on Daphne navigating her life and choices. She has a good friend Hugo who she dated years earlier that is still part of her life. The book sets up a love triangle with the two men that I didn’t connect with. I didn’t care about either of the men enough to support one over the other, although I guessed correctly where the story would go. There is another serious issue that Daphne deals with as well and which makes the tone of the book more somber and serious. This is not a light romance story, even if it is under 300 pages. I am glad to have read it but wasn’t really satisfied by the end. I am new to the author and would like to read more of her work. (3.5 Stars)...more
Ivy Winslow is nerdy and loves her fantasy TV show. This story is told in alternating chapters labeled Present and Past. The Past chapters tell how IvIvy Winslow is nerdy and loves her fantasy TV show. This story is told in alternating chapters labeled Present and Past. The Past chapters tell how Ivy and her neighbor and best friend have diverging interests and are no longer friends. The Present story is how Ivy's fan fiction writing brings her fantasy tv character to life. He says he is her soul mate and can grant her every desire, including being popular, wealthy and having her parents be less helicoptering. New best friend Henry joins in trying to control the fantasy character and Mack gets drawn in as well.
I am not a big fantasy reader nor have I ever been into fan fiction. If you enjoy those you’ll probably like this book more than me. I did like the story and was honestly more interested in the past storyline (before the fantasy character arrives). The author works out the ending in a way that fits the book. I didn’t see Ivy as a reliable narrator, as everything is very skewed to her viewpoint. And really not sure how Ivy brought her character to life. I honestly didn’t see Ivy and Mack as a couple likely to have any sort of a lasting relationship. But the story is cute with nice LGBTQ representation and geared towards younger teens and up. It has some language and doesn’t go beyond kissing.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)...more
April Asher returns to the supernatural world to finish the Supernatural Singles series. The heroines of the stories are the Maxwell sisters who are wApril Asher returns to the supernatural world to finish the Supernatural Singles series. The heroines of the stories are the Maxwell sisters who are witches and triplets. Olive is the studious sister who enjoys teaching college. Who doesn’t love a witch who wears glasses. At the end of the second book, Not Your Ex’s Hexes (Feb 2023), it is clear she has feelings for Baxter Donovan. Bax is a Guardian Angel, who is tattooed and pierced. He also is Olive’s new roommate.
I love friends to more romance. Bax is trying to salvage his job where he’s accumulated a list of violations. But his new assignment is to guard Olive. She is usually quiet and safe but has taken on the task of doing a Dare list. Bax decides to protect her by joining her doing the tasks. Of course the big rule for guardian angels is not to become involved with the person they are guarding.
I don’t read supernatural/fantasy books often. But I’ve enjoyed this whole series. Yes some of the banter and antics can seem juvenile. But I love the sisters, their mates and friend group. This is a fun and steamy romp with good world building. I was looking forward to Olive’s romance and this did not disappoint....more
Diverting, enjoyable and so much fun to read. I don’t read many paranormal fantasy books, but Ali Hazelwood could make me a fan of the genre. Misery iDiverting, enjoyable and so much fun to read. I don’t read many paranormal fantasy books, but Ali Hazelwood could make me a fan of the genre. Misery is a vampire and is bargained to a marriage with Lowe, the Alpha wolf, by her father who is head of the vampire council. It is a political marriage of convenience hoping to keep peace between the natural enemies. Misery has her own motivations for agreeing to the union that will have her live in wolf territory.
The story is from Misery’s POV but at the head of each chapter is the inner thoughts of Lowe which helps in understanding him. Misery is wonderful with her dry humor. The world building is good although most of the story takes place in Lowe's compound. There are some attempts to disrupt the peace and I wasn’t surprised at anything that happens. But I was always engaged in the storyline wanting to know more of the romance developing between Lowe and Misery.
I love Hazelwood’s STEM romances but this is a fun change of pace and was probably a passion project and fun for her to write. I wasn’t quite clear if the ending is hinting at a next book or a fun way to leave the story. Either way I will read whatever Hazelwood writes next....more
Charlie works for Eternal Recycle. It is a company that repurposes human remains into an artifact or compost for family members to remember their loveCharlie works for Eternal Recycle. It is a company that repurposes human remains into an artifact or compost for family members to remember their loved one. His life is ruled by regimented routines. When a little boy calls with a question about his mother’s soul it starts Charlie on a quest to find the afterlife and get the answers he is missing. It turns into a personal quest as well when he learns about reincarnation and that people can be connected again and again in various lives. I thought the story was unique. The pencil and watercolor illustrations beautiful. I enjoyed the restful naked paradise between lives. And I was surprised at how moved I was by the poignant ending, although it was rushed with a time jump. For high school and up. Thank you to NetGalley Europe Comics for the temporary digital ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review....more
The synopsis shares a lot. Roxy Bright is planning to winter in Provincetown for winter. She meets her freshman college roommate Tessa Flowers who is The synopsis shares a lot. Roxy Bright is planning to winter in Provincetown for winter. She meets her freshman college roommate Tessa Flowers who is in town to direct a Shakespeare play. Tessa is a high school drama teacher in Boston and got a prestigious grant for the production. Roxy is willing to help out on sets and Tessa who has always had a crush on her hopes more will come of spending time together. Tessa’s ex is the star. And if that isn’t complicated enough Roxy saves the life of a mermaid named Mo and moves her into her apartment.
This is fun and entertaining. Roxy is trying to figure out who is using magic to trap Mo. Someone is trying to sabotage the play. Tessa wants her play to be a success. And Mo is trying to help Roxy find her true love. The magic elements are explained well. And Mo is fun as literally a fish (mermaid) out of water. I could easily read a future romance about her if the author has plans for it. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. ...more
Sloane West is a former NYC officer and works as a private investigator. A lawyer from Canada comes to tell her that she has an inheritance from grandSloane West is a former NYC officer and works as a private investigator. A lawyer from Canada comes to tell her that she has an inheritance from grandparents that she didn’t know existed. She arrives in Denwick, a small Canadian village and learns that mother kept her hidden from family and friends alike. And more than that she is a protector for her family coven. In a short week her world is turned upside down as she learns her grandparents and mother were murdered. As a PI she thinks she can find the killer.
I love mysteries but don’t usually venture into the world of fantasy. I enjoyed this story and world building is great. Having Sloane be unaware allows the reader to learn along with her the role of magical creatures and powers. If you like paranormal mysteries you will enjoy this debut novel. It seems to be the beginning of a series and while the case is solved the ending is left open for further adventures....more
Very cute cover for a cute, steamy, make a wish, fantasy story. After breaking up with her boyfriend of four years Gemma gets drunk with her sister anVery cute cover for a cute, steamy, make a wish, fantasy story. After breaking up with her boyfriend of four years Gemma gets drunk with her sister and favorite aunt. She casts a love-cleansing spell to erase her ex from her memory. When she wakes up the next day her world has changed. She has to figure out where she and her various relationships are in this world and if there is a way to reverse the magic if she wants. I like that the changes weren’t predictable. For example she is more successful in her business now than before.
Of course everything is going to depend on her relationship with Dax. He was her best friend before. But here he doesn’t know her and she really wants him to be more than just friends. I thought the premise, although similar to other books I’ve read, still has fresh twists and turns. I like that she learns from the world that she is in and how the author works the ending. I like that it is open door as well. Very enjoyable book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
The first book in a new trilogy from best selling author Nora Roberts. I sat spellbound and on the edge of my seat. The book starts simply enough withThe first book in a new trilogy from best selling author Nora Roberts. I sat spellbound and on the edge of my seat. The book starts simply enough with Sonya MacTavish inheriting a historic Victorian house on the Coast of Maine. There is family connection that I’ll let the book explain but she must stay three years for it to be fully hers. Of course it comes with ghosts. Some ghosts I’d love to welcome to my home but the evil woman in black keeps you wondering what will happen next. Along with her comes a legend about a bride from every generation dying on their wedding day.
Side characters are great. Yoda, her adopted dog, Trey, a lawyer and love interest, his cousin Owen and her best friend Cleo are there to be her own Scooby Doo gang. Roberts writes wonderful friend speak and loving banter. I wish people could really say as much with as little words. Her writing and storytelling drew me further and further into the story. My only complaint is that I have to wait for the release of the next book to continue from the cliff hanging ending. I highly recommend this new trilogy. Thank you to st. Martin’s Press for the ARC via NetGalley and I’m leaving a voluntary review....more
A different Christmas romance. The cute cover and blurb led me to think this is a light holiday romance. I did catch that it also falls into the fantaA different Christmas romance. The cute cover and blurb led me to think this is a light holiday romance. I did catch that it also falls into the fantasy category so I wasn’t surprised at some magical happenings. The town of Kringle Falls promotes Christmas every day of the year. Andi Thatcher returns to town after inheriting her grandmother’s library. On her first day she meets Theodora (Teddy) who is visiting Kringle Falls. Teddy has been sent to purchase a collection within the library. There is humor and romance in the air. But the truth about the prized collection is a big change in the plot and the ending goes much darker side than I was expecting.
This is a strange book to market because you don’t want to spell out the real plot because of spoilers. But on the other hand a reader like me comes in expecting one thing and that isn’t what this book delivers. I like Andi and Teddy but I wasn't invested in the whole mythology of the story. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review....more
My second Amazon Original story via NetGalley and I’m enjoying finding new authors. I’m not a big fantasy reader but I can commit to less than 50 pageMy second Amazon Original story via NetGalley and I’m enjoying finding new authors. I’m not a big fantasy reader but I can commit to less than 50 pages. In that short time Silvia Moreno-Garcia creates a dark adult fairy tale. A woman knows that her lover will come from the forest to her village. But everything doesn’t go the way she thinks. The writing is excellent, creating a moody atmosphere, while giving enough details to bring the characters to life....more
