The Mad Girls of New York is a fictionalized retelling of the real-life reporter Nellie Bly’s breakthrough investigation into The Women’s Insane Asylum on Blackwell’s Island. The novel is at its best when it sticks to the facts and when it keeps its focus on Nellie and women that she meets. It suffers when the attention shifts to a rival reporter, the fictional Sam Colton. In both this book and in real life, Nellie Bly … Continue reading The Mad Girls of New York by Maya Rodale →
I’ll be honest, I probably wouldn’t have picked up An Heiress to Remember had I not liked the other books in the series (and Maya Rodale’s writing in general). It’s got that “dude seeks revenge on the woman who didn’t choose him” plotline, something I find tiresome and rarely resolved to my satisfaction. I’m so glad I gave it a chance though because this book, while not perfect, was absolutely a ton of fun to … Continue reading An Heiress to Remember by Maya Rodale →
RECOMMENDED: Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik is $1.99! This is a sci-fi romance that released earlier this year and I absolutely loved it. You can read my A- here:
I am so incredibly happy that this book is in the world, especially after feeling like I’ve exhausted all my sci-fi romance options. Polaris Rising is exciting. It’s funny. It’s fan-fucking-tastic. My quibbles are minor in comparison to the joyful Good Book Noises I made while reading this.
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Some Like It Scandalous delivers on its premise: childhood enemies-to-lovers, fake engagement, scientist-slash-businesswoman heroine, and a rich and fleshed-out Gilded Age setting. Despite the intriguing premise, I had difficulties with the first half (it drags on far too long before getting to the most interesting parts of the novel), the portrayal of the hero as witty and creative when evidence suggests otherwise, the absence of Daisy’s father when he is responsible for the climactic conflict, … Continue reading Some Like It Scandalous by Maya Rodale →
Syncopation by Anna Zabo is 99c! This is the first book in the Twisted Wishes series and is a m/m rockstar romance. So many of my friends love this series and it features a romance between aromantic and gay heroes. The sale is good until April 7th!
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I really adored so many things about Duchess by Design. I loved the heroine. I loved that she had a circle of female friends who support and protect her. I love the idea of subverting the patriarchy through fashion. I love the fact that this was set among the Four Hundred in Gilded Age New York City. Where I struggled was the hero. And let me be clear, my struggle was likely reflective of my current … Continue reading Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale →
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo is $2.99 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble! A YA fantasy romance filled with Russian elements, Elyse just mentioned this on our 200th podcast episode. It’s the first book in Bardugo’s Grisha trilogy. While readers loved the engaging characters and interesting storyline, most felt the author was in the habit of telling rather than showing. It has a 4-star rating on GR. Has anyone read this?
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Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews is 99c! This is a Kindle Deal Deal and isn’t being price-matched just yet. I’ve heard good things about this book and it has a mix of scifi and paranormal elements. If you’re on the fence about buying it, you can read the first few chapters online.
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Apparently I have a reading quirk. When I am sick, and only when I’m sick, I have to read Maya Rodale. Her work has too many cute pop culture references to suit me in a normal state. But when I’m loaded up on Nyquil, nothing makes me quite as happy as a Maya Rodale novel. Lady Claire Is All That is a homage to the movie She’s All That, but since I am apparently one … Continue reading Lady Claire Is All That by Maya Rodale →
The Earl Next Door by Charis Michaels is 99c! This book came out a couple months ago and Elyse had picked it for March’s Hide Your Wallet post. Some readers mentioned that the book does have a slow start, but many loved the writing. Anyone interested in this?
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Lady Bridget’s Diary is, structurally speaking, a total mess, and I didn’t believe a single thing that happened in it. However, the characters are delightful. I read this when I was down with the same cold that was afflicting everyone in America that particular week, and it was great for my humble purposes at the time: it was solidly entertaining and enjoyable, and I didn’t have to think a lot. Lady Bridget’s Diary is, naturally, … Continue reading Lady Bridget’s Diary by Maya Rodale →
