Pam
I want to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Maybe This Once. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
I added Maybe This Once to my TBR because I’ve enjoyed previous books by Sophie Sullivan. Last year, I read and reviewed Get Lost with You. As I said last year, while this is part of a series, you don’t have to read the series in order. That said, there are events in this book that may spoil the other books.
Maybe This Once is Grayson’s story of finding love. He is the oldest of the three Keller kids. He thought he had found his true love earlier in life, but ended up having a messy divorce. It was so bad that he swore off love and romance forever. Charlie has struggled to trust others and let people in. Both are discussed throughout the book.
Overall, I found the pacing to be a bit slow. There seemed to be a lot of will-they-or-won’t-they moments. When they first meet, the sparks fly. There’s an instant connection, but neither does anything about it because of their previous experiences with relationships. When they see each other again, the sparks are still there, so much so that everyone sees them, except Grayson and Charlie. Once they decide to explore their feelings, the pacing improves a little. But once they reach the climax and face the pressure of external forces, the pacing improves significantly.
While I may not have loved this story, I will continue to read Sophie Sullivan’s books.
Originally posted at readbakecreate.com.
This Book Made Me Think of You caught my eye thanks to the title, synopsis, and cover. I have to say, the North American cover is much better than the others I’ve seen. As for the title and synopsis, what book lover wouldn’t love to receive a year of books as a gift?
Tilly’s story is one of growth and healing. She loved Joe passionately and misses him just as deeply. But I feel as though her story could belong to any of us. As she learns along the way, we eventually all lose someone who means everything to us. I found myself taking time to think of my own journey with grief.
While this book is over 400 pages, it is still a quick and easy read. Yes, there is a lot of talk about grief, but that doesn’t hold the story down. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the book isn’t a bog to read because of the underlying theme. There is still plenty of hope and joy.
The central setting of the book is a bookshop. And the main thing that helps move the story along is a year of books. The best part of a book featuring books? All of the recommendations! Each month is introduced with a selection of books that follow a particular theme. Along with the books that Tilly received as part of her gift, there are over 50 books mentioned.
Overall, This Book Made Me Think Of You is a fantastic read. I think every book lover will enjoy reading it. What could be wrong with a book about books and how they impact our lives?
Originally posted at readbakecreate.com.
I want to thank Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Winter Witch. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
3.75 rounded up to 4
I truly wanted to love The Winter Witch. What historical fiction reader wouldn’t want to read a book set in the 17th century that features a possible witch? While Chevalier did extensive research for her novel, some parts felt forced. I enjoyed reading about the relationship between the brides, especially the sisters. But one was so wrapped in her misery that she refused to share, and often regretted the joy the other tried to find in life. And I understand that’s how sisters can be, but when you’re in your late teens and have no other family to turn to, are you really going to shut out the one you have?
I struggled to read this book for the first 60% or so. I’m not sure if it was the book or me, and life was getting in the way of my devoting the time to reading. That said, when I was approaching the last 30% or so, I didn’t want to stop reading. It seemed that’s where the majority of the action was. And the daring rescue was quite possibly the best part of it all.
I do think that The Winter Witch highlights what can happen when you let others have absolute power and control over every facet of life. There is a scene where Élisabeth is called a dumb peasant for her beliefs. While it may be true that she did not have sophisticated beliefs, she was not necessarily dumb or ignorant. This is brought up later in the story, and the character explains what they meant in a more meaningful way.
Overall, The Winter Witch is a great look at women’s lives in 17th-century Montreal. If you enjoy reading well-researched books, where there is character growth on all sides, then you should give The Winter Witch a read.
Originally posted at readbakecreate.com.
3.75 rounded up to 4
I added The Summer of Yes to my TBR because I’ve enjoyed other Courtney Walsh books. While I enjoyed reading this, it wasn’t as good as the others in my opinion. But let me explain!
The cast of characters is interesting. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Georgina and Kelsey throughout the book. As for the men in Georgina’s past, they were okay. The ex-husband felt a bit flat, and Hayden felt too perfect. Does that make sense? It will if you read the book. The character I wanted more of is JP, Georgina’s overworked assistant. Though Belinda, the nurse, was a great character too. And I would have loved for her to reappear in the story.
There were times in the book when Kelsey’s attitude felt fake or maybe forced. I understand that she was trying to reexamine her life and say yes more often. But there were times when she didn’t seem to be feeling it. And only said yes to make whoever she was with happy. Maybe it was the narrator's parts that gave me that feeling?
What did I enjoy about the book? I loved the growth Kelsey and Georgina have, especially Georgina! By saying yes, or at least okay, Georgina was able to see where she went wrong in the past and had a chance to make things better. In the end, Kelsey had her ephinany as well.
Overall, though, I’m glad I said yes to The Summer of Yes. And I look forward to reading more by Courtney Walsh.
I want to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Arctic Cruise. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
4.5 stars rounded to 5
Adding The Arctic Cruise to my TBR was a pure impulse move, and I am so happy that I did. What’s not to love about a widow trying to find herself, a confirmed bachelor finding himself in a new situation, and a cast of quirky characters? Oh, and all of this on a week-long cruise from England up to the Arctic Circle around Christmas? Sign me up!
James is best known for writing novels that feature a more mature cast of characters, and this novel was chock-full of them. But there weren’t so many that you couldn’t keep them straight. On a cruise ship with over 1,000 people, the cast list is relatively small, with fewer than 20 named characters. The side characters, like Nora, Sid, Judy, and James, are just as entertaining as the main characters. Honestly, I want to be like almost all of them when I get older. No one should aim to be like Barbara or Kenneth.
Reading The Arctic Cruise made me want to reach out to the nearest travel agent to book it. Though I’m not sure I want to go there in the winter, I wouldn’t mind a nice, relaxing summer cruise to the area.
Do you enjoy reading books with a quirky cast of mature characters? Or ones that feature travel to unexpected locations? What about a romance that is beautiful to see unfold? Do you enjoy Christmas books that don’t scream Christmas? Or friends that become found family? Then you should read The Arctic Cruise.
Originally posted at readbakecreate.com.
Is This a Cry for Help? is being marketed as a humor book. I’m sorry, but I didn’t see any humor in the book. We join Darcy on part of her journey of healing and forgiveness. There is nothing humorous about that. This is a contemporary novel, through and through. Other topics discussed in the book are about libraries and what they provide for their communities. As a reader and lover of libraries, I was already familiar with much of the information shared here. But I did not know it all. And of course, the services provided by libraries vary from community to community.
Darcy is a flawed character, but that makes her more realistic. Who among us hasn’t wondered if we’ve taken the right path in life? Or look back with regret at relationships? Joy is an excellent counterbalance to Darcy. Don’t get me wrong, she’s flawed too. Who is ever 100% perfect? But Joy knows she has flaws, and she embraces them. Along the way, she cares for those important to her.
The chapters contained page breaks when there were changes of scene, and often when there were changes in time. Darcy would often go back in time and examine her relationship with Ben. Many times, there were page breaks to give readers a heads-up that this was happening. Other times, you may not realize it until you are in the middle of the story.
I found myself wondering if Sophie and January were needed in the story. Sophie is Joy’s sister, and at the beginning of the story, she was pregnant. Before the first chapter is over, Joy is off to spend time with her sister and baby January. Maybe their purpose is that Darcy has to spend time without her anchor nearby?
Overall, Is This a Cry for Help? is an interesting read. Be prepared to examine your mental health and relationship with the world around you.
I added The Christmas Kill to my TBR after finding it at a used book sale. According to the hype inside the book, Nick Carter is the American answer to James Bond. I was hooked and had to give it a read.
The book was initially released in the early 1980s; as such, it may come across as being racist and using negative stereotypes. While the stereotypes were annoying, I was able to overlook them while reading the story. Yes, I know such things are problematic and shouldn't be avoided. But if we were to do that with every offensive book, we wouldn't be able to read anything older than 20 years.
The action scenes were very reminiscent of James Bond, which is what I was looking for while reading The Christmas Kill. While this is book 172 in a series that contains 261 books, you can read it as a standalone. I haven't read any other books in the series, but I don't feel like I was missing anything.
Overall, if you read The Christmas Kill, don't expect to read literature. It is purely for escapism and entertainment.
4.75 rounded up to 5
I decided to give Listen for the Lie a read because I've seen reviews calling it good. Now, let me say, I tend to avoid books that get a lot of hype because, most of the time, they don't hit the mark for me. I am glad to say that Listen for the Lie lives up to all of the hype! One caveat, I honestly believe you need to listen to the audiobook for the full effect. I'm sure reading other versions would be as impactful, but the audiobook just made it easier to fall into the story.
The characters, oh my, what a cast of characters! What a small town, Plumpton, TX, is. I'm not sure if I want to visit, but I do know I certainly want to meet Beverly. She's my hero, and the kind of person I want to be when I get older. At 80, she is so full of sass and snark, it's beautiful.
Tintera did an excellent job of dragging out the story and introducing many suspects. She also didn't shy away from the idea that maybe Lucy was the real culprit after all. But she didn't make the story feel long, or any parts truly unnecessary. Everything that happened needed to happen. But when the big reveal happened, I will admit I was shocked. But now, as I think about it, I wonder why I was so surprised? It all made perfect sense.
If you've read Sadie by Courtney Summers, you need to read Listen for the Lie! But if you haven't read it, that's ok. If you enjoy reading mysteries with lots of twists and turns, real characters, and an unexpected ending, you will enjoy reading Listen for the Lie. Just be warned: you won't be able to do anything else until you finish reading it.
CW/TW: early dementia, death of a family member, memories of child abuse, memories of animal abuse
Say You'll Remember Me is the start of a new series, but if it is like Jimenez's other books, it could be considered a standalone. Unlike her other books, there doesn't seem to be any characters connected to any of her previous books.
Xavier and Samantha's story is a slow-burning one, spanning a year. They have a meet-cute, go on a date, and the next day she moves 2,000 miles away. As such, it takes a while for them to have any intimate time, and when it does finally happen, it's off-page.
The main thread throughout this book is memories-creating them, remembering them, cherishing them. I found it to be a great reminder that even the small things can bring happiness and joy. A favorite song, a seashell in your pocket, a scent that you forgot about. These things can all help you cherish those special moments.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that, sure, Say You'll Remember Me is marketed as a romance, but it's so much more than that. There is a romance, no doubting that. But there is also seeing that family relationships can get messy. The expectations may not always be in everyone's best interest.
I decided to read Yours for the Season on a whim. I've enjoyed reading books by Uzma Jalaluddin before, and I just knew I had to read this one. It was such a great read, and it's perfect for the holiday season.
Both main characters have unresolved issues with their family. Sameera was cut off from her family for several years because she feared disappointing her family. Tom chose to go to school out of state to spread his wings and get away from his family's demands. Will spending time with both families help them heal and come together?
My biggest issue with this book is the descriptions of Alaska's geography. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an expert on Alaska. I've been there once, including Juneau. But I'm pretty sure I knew this before going, but the only way to get in and out of Juneau is by plane or boat. Yet in the book, they took the highway from Juneau and drove for a couple of hours to the small town where most of the book is set. Please explain this to me?
Overall, Yours for the Season is a fun Christmas romance. While it flew under the radar this year, it is one you should add to your TBR right now!
I added The Matzah Ball to my TBR because it sounded like a fun holiday romance. And it did not disappoint. Sure, it's not a Christmas romance, but it's still a holiday romance. While I'm familiar with the basics of Hanukkah, there are many details I'm not. Meltzer wrote this for people who are very familiar with the story and the holiday, as well as for people like me, who know very little. Do I know everything about the holiday now? No way, but I do have a better understanding.
Yes, the story takes place at The Matzah Ball X during Hanukkah, but there is so much more to this story. Rachel has secrets she's keeping from those around her because she's afraid it will offend them. I mean, why would a good Jewish girl make a living off of Christmas? Jacob has wounds from his childhood that he's hoping to heal. Abandoned by his father, ignored by the girl who grounded him, and taken to France by his mother all at the age of 12, he has a lot of unresolved trauma in his life.
Overall, I feel that if you are looking for a fun, holiday romance that just so happens to be set in December, look no further than The Matzah Ball!
I want to thank Random House, Hogarth, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Living and the Dead. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
4.75 rounded up to 5
The Living and the Dead is the first book I've read from Christoffer Carlsson, but it won't be the last! I was drawn to this book by its setting, which is something I'm always on the lookout for. But the story also drew me in.
Before I get too into my opinions, I have a few things to say. One: Don't be intimidated by the book's length. Yes, it's around 450 pages, but it doesn't feel like it. Two: Don't be intimidated by the number of chapters in the book. While there are over 100 chapters, several are only a few pages long, which makes it so easy to tell yourself, or others, that you're just going to read one more chapter.
The cast of characters is interesting. And they only get more interesting as they get older. Oh, that's right, the book starts in December 1999, but jumps to 2022 around the halfway mark. And then near the end, we jump back to 1999. Along the way, there is a brief stop in 2002. Unfortunately, there isn't much to tell you when you're jumping between times, especially at the beginning, when we go from 1999 to 2002 and then back to 1999.
The author includes a short list of characters. This helps to keep the story moving along. It serves as a reminder of their relationships.
A map is at the beginning of the book. It highlights the county's overall layout, where the story is set. I wish there were a map of the town itself to help us keep track of where everyone was during the events.
As for the storytelling itself, it is terrific! There are twists and turns throughout the story. I had my suspicions about who was behind all of the events, but I was very wrong. It's hard to say more without spoiling the ending.
The Living and the Dead is an excellent mystery and thriller! You will find it hard to put down until the end!
