Ria

Told from Ruth's perspective, this was a story of rebellion and survival during the time of Bloody Sunday in Russia. Jews were heavily targeted, and no one was safe. While it was short, it was also very well written, though I would have liked it if the family had met up with their relatives in New York, however they survived in the end. 4.5 ⭐

Long winded, rambly, sometimes offensive towards both women and disabled, this was a painful read. It's barely two pages yet I slogged two days to finish it. Ugh.

While it's dated, this was a book of a woman being a bad ass as she becomes the boss at a horse ranch, taking no shit from the sexist men attempting to ruin her. I adored this.

Another excellent installment in the Richard Jury novels (though I much prefer the old covers to the new editions by far). This was a tricky who dun it, wherein they aren't sure who the victim is supposed to be, and there's numerous possible suspects for the killer. Jury and Melrose work together again, and I'm enjoying this pairing. I've already placed book three one hold at the library.

As such, the dog was the real hero of this book. 5 ⭐

This was picked at random from the KU books, and I'm glad I stumbled across it. It's a fast read, emotional wreck of a roller coaster, and I read it in under three hours. The pairing was not just believable but felt real. There was no insta-love, it wasn't even quite a slow burn. Though do pay attention to the trigger warnings if needed.

The trope “I fell for my dad's best friend” can be hit or miss, this one is a huge hit because of just how well the author handled bdsm themes in this book. There's actual talking back and forth, verbal consent, and hefty discussions about what's approved between the pair and what's not. The realistic scenes, family dynamics and characters make this book stand out.

My one issue is it felt a little slow in the middle, but otherwise, this book deserves all six stars. I loved it.

Rated: 6 stars

I absolutely loved this! Finn and Rath are a great couple and the light fantasy elements worked well with this plot. Well written and believable characters, this was a fast paced read that I picked up randomly from kindle unlimited and I'm glad I did. Light cozy fantasy with kind gentle protective barbarians.

I really enjoyed this one best out of the series so far. My one issue is how utterly stupid Kaitlyn was in allowing a first date of a man she doesn't know into her apartment, but I get that's part of the story plot.

I liked the characters. Especially how the marine was written, the author clearly did good research and fairly represented an injured vet, healing from combat. This was very good, and I think this was my favorite couple out of the series so far.

Overall, 4.25 ⭐

It started out strong, but I slowly lost interest. It'll come back to this review tomorrow.

Actual rating 4.5 ⭐. Anna's mother is slightly abusive in that she feels corporeal punishment “never did anyone no harm”. Uh...sure. And I'm Santa Claus. She also said absolutely no to a birthday party for Anna, citing it was too expensive and she didn't want a bunch of children around her feet. Ma'am. What is your problem? I can understand expensive but there's ALWAYS ways around that!

Other than that, this book was absolutely precious, based loosely on real people and taught me a bit more German than the little that I knew. I liked Anna and her friends (though Rosa seemed spoiled and annoying), and this was a wholesome mostly feel-good read.

Perfect for the christmas holidays, but also good whenever you need a book that feels like a hug!

This was so wholesome, cute, and another book that hugs your soul! I adored every bit of this!

This was a good children's book. It had racism, but then that was the time period. People just didn't stop and think about things, like being cruel to children simply because of their color. They felt they were in the right of it. Even white children, picked on because of being weak or different was allowed. You expect me to say “I'm glad times have changed.” Well, no. They haven't. Missouri is still much the same, especially with the Orange Cheeto in charge, promoting hate.

I can see how this book won so many awards. It's writing was beautiful, it delivered a strong impactful message and I enjoyed the main characters point of view. Especially that of the children. The setting is Maine, a place I'd never been but I would like to see one day.

Overall, not my favorite Newberry, though it's a strong impactful novel. 3.5 ⭐ rounded up.

Good writing, but I didn't enjoy the actual story much. 3.5 ⭐

For a picture book with no words this was a beautiful story of two people falling in love while imprisoned just because of what race they are. The art was lovely and the story has a lovely happily ever after. 5 ⭐.

Good writing, liked the characters, and had a good ending. 3.5 ⭐

A deeply moving, based on real events children's story of the war of Vietnam. You'll need a box of tissues. The story of Be and her cat Meo and how they survive is bleak yet full of hope and strength and kindness from others. Highly worth a look, especially as this is told from a unique perspective during the Vietnamese war. 5 ⭐

TW: child abuse, implied off screen rape of adult women, adult sex trafficking, light language, death of cats, war themes, violence, parent loss/grief, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and starvation

Another short sweet cat book from Japan. Absolutely wonderful!

If you liked Moby Dick, you'll enjoy this one. It's set during the story of Moby Dick, and has many familiar faces and characters, including Ishmael himself. I enjoyed this tremendously. A perfect spring read. 4.5 ⭐

I would have adored this as a young girl. As an adult, the mystery seemed obvious and the girl a bit spoiled, but otherwise this was a good read.

One of my top favorite trilogies. I'm sad that it's over, but it was fun while it lasted. Emily Dickinson was a brilliant heroine and so was her friend and servant Willa. 5 ⭐

I get this is fiction. But if you're going to talk about a community, at least try to get the facts right. As such, this is the disturbing thing we should be banning in schools. Saying this is YA, for 12 years old? Are y'all okay? Church's using religion to hide behind so they can marry twelve year old girls off to 40 something year old men is fucked up and you will never, ever change my mind on it. That's not religion. That's rape. End of story. And that anyone trying to make this into a positive story for girls? Shame. On. You.

It was fast paced, in that I finished a 300 page book in an hour, but I dislike the surprise pregnancy trope, was unsatisfied at how she killed her husband (I wanted it way more violent lol) and there was a LOT of serious questionable issues in the book such as the timing of the surprise pregnancy, amongst other stuff. Other reviewers have lists, go check them out. The writing was good. Really good. I just wasn't into the characters as much as I hoped. On the whole, the story was fine. But it wasn't the kind of spicy I'd heard about. 3.5 ⭐

I can understand a lot of people giving this less than five stars. It's got its quirks, but I enjoyed it a lot. Even despite the insta love/insta lust, I think it handled culture differences reasonably well. The trope of Alpha-Male-Doesn't-Listen is frustratingly annoying as usual, but despite that, I liked Saar's character, and Alex, the Omega, too.

The story was fast paced, interesting and the lizard/human species fascinating. I'm glad I took a chance on this one, randomly spotting it on KU.

I enjoyed this a lot. 4.5 ⭐

I couldn't get into this one. I tried but I don't think it's for me. 2.5 ⭐ rounded up for the cover.

It's a shame that so many people think bettering everyone regardless of race or sex is such a crime.

I'm just not interested in date rape, much less implied cheating on a wedding night, and heroines that act like their a goddess but I'm reality their actually a spoiled immature child. Ugh. As such, she's eighteen and he's thirty two? I think? Something like that. Ew. 1 ⭐.