In terms of books that I sneak off to the bathroom to read, this one was “a normal amount of hydrating” and not “over hydrating” book. This story has a marriage of convenience between a heroine whose family has a ridiculous amount of money that’s so new it still has that new-money smell, and a hero from an ancient and respected family with no money. Kate wants to get away from her social climbing parents, … Continue reading The Bride Takes a Groom by Lisa Berne →
This is book 5 (possibly the last?) in Quinn’s Worthington series. I reviewed the first one, Three Weeks to Wed, and I have to say, this was an improvement on a lot of the issues that Three Weeks (…since you looked at me, cocked your head to the side and said…. Sorry.) had. Geoffrey, the Earl of Harrington has a diplomatic post waiting for him on the eve of the battle of Waterloo, buuuuuut he … Continue reading You Never Forget Your First Earl by Ella Quinn →
Misfit City: Volume One introduces us to a diverse, fun group of young women with an affinity for adventure. It includes the first four issues of the comic Misfit City. The story takes place in Cannon Cove, Oregon. This is the site where a hit movie, “The Gloomies” was filmed in the 1980s, and the town both benefits from and is plagued by tourists who loved the movie as kids. Five young women who live … Continue reading Misfit City, Vol. 1 by Kiwi Smith and Kurt Lustgarten →
How the Cowboy Was Won very loosely retells Emma in a modern day Texan town. As a retelling of Emma, it wasn’t great, but as a “friends to lovers” romance I liked it a lot. Ember Alzate is a woman of Irish-Native American descent who makes a good living selling real estate. She also has a knack for matchmaking – so much so that people say she should consider it as a second career. Ember … Continue reading How the Cowboy Was Won by Lori Wilde →
Both Sarah and Amanda read this book and wanted to review it, so ahoy, it is joint review time, wherein we review your meniscus AND this book. Just kidding. Only the book. Your meniscus is fine as far as we know. Sarah: This book is exactly what it says on the tin, which I have to appreciate. There is a fake boyfriend, and he is indeed a little grumpy, but he’s also consistently kind hearted, … Continue reading Grumpy Fake Boyfriend by Jackie Lau →
I first heard about this short story during my podcast interview with Ana Grilo and Thea James, better known as The Book Smugglers (Episode 299). This was a story Ana in particular was very excited about as part of their Awakenings season of publication. In When the Letter Comes, Henry, a trans girl, watches her younger sister receive the letter welcoming Gabriele to magical school, a letter that Henry had hoped and expected for herself. Henry … Continue reading When the Letter Comes by Sara Fox →
To Kill a Kingdom starts well but the pacing is awkward in the extreme. I wanted to love it. I tried to love it. It has tentacles on the cover and the heroine keeps the hearts of seventeen princes in jars in her room so loving it seemed inevitable. Alas, by the end of the book, I just did not care what happened. To Kill a Kingdom is a romance (marketed as general YA) between … Continue reading To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo →
I read this book in two days, partly because I remain very charmed by the world in which it is set, but also in part because the story itself speeds along from scene to scene, so it’s easy to read quickly. But that speed comes at the expense of emotional depth for the characters. I’m along for the ride happily, but I recognize what I’m missing. I love the world, the magical system of this … Continue reading The Plastic Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg →
Look, I think it’s safe to say that I’ve read some shit. I read the book about the blue alien/robot people who exist, I think, just to have buttsecks. I read the book about Santa’s Reindeer shifter. I read a book once about a guy who has psychic visions of murder and his eyeball rolls around in his head when it happens. Just the one eye though. Because two would be too much, I guess. … Continue reading Pestilence by Laura Thalassa →
After the Wedding is the second novel in the Worth Saga, the story of a family trying to survive after disgrace. This book is the story of Camilla, the second oldest sister in a family of five siblings, and Adrian, a biracial man who runs a business and who becomes involved with Camilla in an extremely unexpected way. The first novel in the Worth Saga, Once Upon a Marquess , introduced us to the oldest sister, … Continue reading After the Wedding by Courtney Milan →
This review is for both the narrative and the audiobook performance of Her Royal Spyness. I’m continuing my streak of listening to historical mysteries while I walk the dogs each day, and I’m switching between series so I don’t burn out on the patterns and familiarity of a particular author or character. Her Royal Spyness was recommended to me most vociferously after Amanda’s and my recent podcast (episode 292) about audiobooks when I asked for advice … Continue reading Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen →
