Pam
I want to thank St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Built to Last. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Built to Last is an enjoyable look at what happens when childhood friends reunite after a decade apart. Shelby and Cameron grew up on television. They went their separate ways when the show ended, but it wasn't a happy parting. After a brief reunion five years later, Shelby and Cameron had not seen or spoken to each other until they found themselves in a meeting for a new show that their former co-star was proposing.
My biggest issue with the book is Lyle and his actions. Why is he holding a grudge against Shelby and Cameron after so many years? He did everything he could to mess up their show, but why? Was he truly that jealous of their happiness?
I enjoyed meeting Maren and Lorelai. I, for one, would like to learn more about these characters to see if they all get their happily ever after. And, of course, who wouldn't want to continue to follow Shelby and Camerons?
Built to Last is the first book I've read by Erin Hahn, but it won't be the last!
I want to thank Penguin Random House Canada, Viking, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of All I Want for Christmas. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Fake dating? Check!
Lack of communication? Check!
Steamy scenes? Only one, but it's not highly graphic or detailed.
What is it with rom-coms and their lack of communication between characters? I know, I know, it helps add drama to the story. But in this case, it could have been dialed back some. Sadie doesn't like Max because she feels slighted over how he treated her a few years ago. Max doesn't like Sadie because she seems “cold.” They resolve that issue, but then more miscommunication occurs. Why can't they listen without arguing?
As a dual POV, the book had the opportunity to be clunky. But that doesn't happen, as each chapter is told from a different character's POV, and the chapters are labeled as such. That way, you are not having to go back and forth trying to figure out who's talking. I wish more writers would do this with dual POV storylines.
The first half of the book occurs with the background of the show Starmaker. We are introduced to the cast of characters as they work towards reaching their dreams. The book's second half occurs during the following December when the characters reconnect with each other. At the beginning of the second half, you are given a brief history of what happened in the previous months.
All I Want for Christmas is a delightful music-based holiday read. I'm sure you will find yourself cheering for #Saxie along the way.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Matchmaker's Gift. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
The Matchmaker's Gift is a cup of hot chocolate by a crackling fire under a throw blanket kind of cozy. It may seem cheesy, but this book will melt the coldest of hearts and make you happy.
Sara is the kind of grandmother we all want. She's loving and attentive, wants to share her past with you, and when all else fails, she'll bake you some yummy treats! Amy is a bit of a hard nut to crack because she hated how her mother was treated when her father filed for divorce. But she knows what she wants and works hard to get it.
This is a dual timeline story, switching between Sara's narrative starting in 1910 and Abby's in 1994. But it is easy to know whose narrative you are getting as each chapter is labeled with a year (or year range in a few instances) and the narrator's name. I say narrator, but the story is told in the third person.
I will admit one thing here-I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book when I received my copy from NetGalley. Why? Because the cover gives off such fantastical vibes. And I have been in a weird place with my reading lately. But I am glad that I went for it and read this book. Why? Because it is a beautiful reminder of life and love!
I want to thank Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Dewey Decimated. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Generally, if you read a cozy mystery out of order, you're not really missing anything. You may have missed a few details, but there are enough context clues to help you get caught up. But with this book, that isn't the case. I will admit, it is my fault that I decided to read this book without having read the previous five books.
Overall, the story was enjoyable, besides the backstory I didn't have. The characters are well written, and the setting is easy to picture while reading.
So why only 3-stars? Because it just didn't wow me. Your experience may be different.
I want to thank MIRA and Goodreads for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Witches of Moonshyne Manor. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
The Witches of Moonshyne Manor is a story of women working together to save their home, but most importantly, to save themselves! The witches have known each other for most of their lives and have grown to be more than just friends-they are sisters. And as such, they have their differences. But when the chips are down, they work together to find a solution.
Overall, this is an easy read. While there may be a high number of chapters, many of them are only a few pages long. The pacing varies throughout the read, ranging from page-turning (especially at the beginning) to slow and almost tedious (around the middle of the book). But the pacing helps the reader understand the struggle the witches are going through.
You will find yourself laughing, crying, and cheering throughout the book! The Witches of Moonshyne Manor learn that the past can be painful, the truth will hurt, and eventually set you free, but they still have so much to learn.
Do you like reading books about witches? Books with older main characters? What about found families? Or the growth of characters? If you said yes to any of these, you should check out The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais!
For a more in-depth review, visit my blog at https://readbakecreate.com/the-witches-of-moonshyne-manor-by-bianca-marais-book-review/.
I love the fact the audiobook has a different narrator for each main character. This is something I have enjoyed about each of O'Leary's books.
I wasn't sure where things were going. Who would forgive Joseph Carter for missing their Valentine's Day date? Why did he miss them? Once you learn his story, it's easy to understand his actions. Though things get a bit confusing until the final few chapters.
I want to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Two Parts Sugar is a super easy read, which is what one expects with a cozy mystery. What I mean is that this book is easy to sink into and devour. Along the way, you want to solve the mystery as well. Want to try some of the treats mentioned in the book as you read? Guess what? You're in luck; there are a few recipes at the end of the book.
When the mayor is stabbed, you instantly have multiple suspects. But you can probably figure out who the guilty party is. That said, it doesn't take away from the experience; doubts are sprinkled throughout as you read, which is a sign of a good cozy.
The cast of characters, especially the Baker Street Irregulars (yes, just like Sherlock Holmes), is fantastic. There's Leroy, the baker at Baby Cakes; April, the sheriff; Hannah, Miss Octavia's best friend; and Tyler, the knitting shop owner. Even Michael, Hannah's grandson, and Baby's vet is a fun character to meet.
If you enjoy reading food-based cozy mysteries, you will enjoy reading Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder. I, for one, am looking forward to returning to New Bison in the future!
I want to thank Hachette Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of We Are the Troopers. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
What did reading We Are the Troopers mean to me? It offered me a glimpse into a world I knew nothing about. I don't mean football, as I have been an avid football fan most of my life. I mean a women's professional league. In some ways, I found myself jealous of these women who were able to play and make a difference in the community around them. I want to think that I know a few women who would have played if things were only slightly different when the league formed.
We Are the Troopers tells the story of only one team from the league. But the Troopers were the most dominating team. Linda Jefferson, the league's best player, had numbers that many of her male counterparts in the Football Hall of Fame wish they could have: 150 career touchdowns, 9,250 yards in seven seasons, with 12.1 yards per carry.
Who should read We Are the Troopers? Do you love sports? Football? Reading about unknown aspects of history? Do you appreciate stories like A League of Their Own? Then you should read this book! You won't be disappointed.
Told with a dual timeline, Die Around Sundown takes readers along for the ride with Henri Lefort as the Germans have selected him to investigate the murder of one of their own. The catch? He doesn't get to see the murder scene, has been given a list of suspects, and gets to see the body after the attending doctor has seen it. The flashbacks help the readers learn about Henri's experiences with the previous war and how they shaped him into the person he is today.
Henri Lefort struggles with loud sounds. Chewing gum? He despises it and anyone who chews it! Eating carrots or celery? Not while he's in the room. Even tapping one's nails on a glass is enough to bother him. As we learn more about his backstory, we start understanding why he has this issue.
The cast of characters in the book is fantastic. The main characters you see are Henri and Nicola, who works on the administrative team for the police force. It turns out she also lives with Henri. She has quite of bit of spunk, and I can't wait to learn more about her as the series progresses. Another wonderful character is Mimi Bonaparte! She is a force to reckon with and deserves a book of her own.
I have never read any book by Mark Pryor before reading Die Around Sundown. As such, I was unsure what to expect. But I have to say this book has blown me away. I struggled to put it down; I was so invested in learning about Henri. Please tell me I will not have to wait long to see him again!
I give this historical fiction a 3.75 out of 5, but rounding it up to 4.
There were a few places that the story dragged on, and maybe could have done without. But I will admit I never truly suspected who the mole was. Though now looking back I can see it.
I look forward to reading more by this author.
I want to thank Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of In Too Steep. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
This cozy mystery lives up to the genre. It is cozy! All the mention of tea and British pastries is enough to make anyone feel cozy. Too bad there aren't recipes to help recreate the experience at home. Maybe another thing that helps it feel cozy is that it is set at the end of October and the beginning of November.
The mystery seems to take a back seat to the relationship between Vivian and Hal, the owner of the local pet store. Even the relationship between Jenna and Messina appears to be more forward in the book than the mystery itself.
Is it wrong to say that my favorite character in the book is Felix? He's the adorable dog on the cover. Felix works hard to get Vivian's attention and steals the scene whenever he is there.
Book Lovers is the first Emily Henry book I've read, and I don't think it will be the last! It is a quick and easy read that is perfect for reading while on vacation.
When Libby talks Nora into the trip to Sunshine Falls, she has a checklist of things they need to complete on this trip. These tasks are from Libby's love of small-town romances and honestly made me laugh out loud when I read them. Why? Because the list is full of tropes from small-town romances. Items on the list include wearing flannel, sleeping under the stars, and saving a small family business.
Another part that made me laugh was some town business names. I will let you discover the wonderful and quirky names for yourself! Trust me; they will bring a smile to your face.
For a more in-depth review, visit my blog: https://readbakecreate.com/book-lovers-by-emily-henry-book-review/
I want to thank Harlequin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of For Butter or Worse. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
For Butter or Worse is a rom-com with two of the most popular tropes in romance–fake dating and enemies-to-lovers. Yes, these two tropes can often be found together, but they work well independently. In this instance, the enemies-to-lovers begin before we meet Nina and Leo. They work together on a reality show and have the good host/bad host mentality. Leo inadvertently gives Nina an unflattering nickname, which fuels the fire. The fake dating comes about early in the story and begins with a misunderstanding.
I found the first third of the book a bit slow of a read, and I often wanted to do something other than reading. But once I got past that point, things began to grab my attention and made me want to read over doing other things. And just a heads up, the last third of the book is pretty steamy. And the majority of that steam is on the page!
The discussion of mental health throughout the book is one that I enjoyed. It is not often that you find a rom-com that discusses the characters' mental health so openly. Leo openly discusses his anxiety and panic attacks, though it's more with the reader than other characters. Nina discusses how she had to take breaks from social media for her mental health, especially when she was the target of cyberbullying. Again, this discussion was more with the reader than other characters.
Another topic discussed in the book, and part of Nina's backstory, is how women are treated. Part of the reason she walks away from the show is because of how she is treated. If a woman is strongly opinionated, she's mean or nasty. Nina also discusses how she has often been treated negatively in the workplace and that men in the restaurant industry did not treat her with the respect she deserved.
I want to thank Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of No Parm No Foul. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
No Parm No Foul continues exploring Balsam Dell, a small college town in Vermont. The first installment, Up to No Gouda, was released in January 2022 and is set at the beginning of the summer. This installment starts at the end of October as the town prepares for a Halloween festival.
Ferris Menard continues to be a thorn in Carly's side until he is found murdered in his restaurant. Carly isn't a suspect, though. With Menard's actions before his death, it would be understandable if she had been. Instead, someone close to her is the prime suspect, and Carly takes it upon herself to prove the police wrong and find the real killer.
I will admit this time-I didn't suspect the true culprit. I had suspicions about a few others, but not the one who did it. That's okay with me, and I don't mind not knowing.
Some of the characters we get to see more of in this book are Carly's mom and sister. Grant's dad also makes an appearance. Havarti was in the book a bit more, but I still want to know more about the little guy! He is so darn cute and fluffy!
Be prepared to crave grilled cheese sandwiches as you read this book! As a bonus, you will find a couple of recipes at the end that you will be tempted to try.
As with most, if not all, cozy mysteries, you don't have to read the first book to understand what is happening in the second. You may not understand a few minor details, but generally, you aren't missing out on anything if you don't start at the beginning.
No Parm No Foul is an excellent addition to the cozy mystery world. And I can't wait to read the third book, Cheddar Late Than Dead.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Bodyguard. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
The Bodyguard is a pretty easy read, perfect for the summer! This rom-com offers some fake dating with a grumpy-sunshine twist. I'll let you figure out which one is which!
For a romance, there is little to no steam on or off the page. There are a couple of kissing scenes, but those are in the last third of the book. I'm okay with steam on the page, but it is also nice to read a book without it.
Is it wrong of me to want to see this book adapted? I want to see Hannah and Jack interact in real life, I want to see her get upset when he calls her ordinary, and I want to see him laugh when she screams at the cow.
Are you looking for a fun book that is super easy to read? A book that you can take on vacation? Or one to curl up with on a rainy day? Do you enjoy smiling and laughing while reading romances? Then I think you should check out The Bodyguard.
