Ashley

I didn't read the Good Girl Complex before this one, but this stands well on it's own. I didn't feel like I missed anything from the first book in order for this one to make sense. 

This story did not start off well for me. Immediately I thought this was a toxic relationship. Gen has tried to change over the past year, but the death of her mother brings her home. Evan is determined to bring her back to her old ways. There isn't much character development for either of the main characters and the other characters are ok. She has changed and mainly just out to prove she is doing better and he still wants to keep the lifestyle. Their relationship was more about lust than love. At the end I was still thinking the match wasn't a great one. 

I liked that it was dual POV and the author's writing style wasn't bad. The POV transition as smooth. 

This story just personally wasn't for me, but I can see why so many readers enjoy this author. 

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC.

Audiobook: the narrators chosen for this story were good choices. They both made their characters feel like actual people and brought out the emotion of the story. 
Story: What I liked about the audiobook was it was told in dual POV. I liked the author's writing style. It was relatable for its target audience and dealt with issues teens face.  The story left off on a huge cliffhanger. Overall I thought it was a well told story. It is appropriate for the suggested age. 
What I didn't like was the slow start. The main characters give their backstory and there was too much. I would rather have seen it come out as the story progressed. We are given their meeting told from both perspectives, but it wasn't a smooth transition from one account to another. 

Have you ever needed to take a break from your life? Thats what happens to Greta and Truman. Both are not loving their current circumstances and thanks to a mutual friend, find themselves living in the other person's home just before the holiday season. 

Audiobook: I enjoyed the narrators chosen for this book. They work well with Greta and Truman's personalities as well as transitions to other characters in the book. I felt like I was in the story.  

Story: Overall I enjoyed this audiobook, but I did enjoy Truman's storyline more. I enjoyed the hunt for something that meant so much to him. Both main characters are wonderful. They love their friends and finally find a way to do what they want. They are friends that are there to help you when you fall. The side characters throughout the story are diverse and add so much more to the book. 

This book has LGBTQ rep, mentions dementia and Jewish representation. 

A great listen for the upcoming holiday season!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Angelika Frakenstein finds the perfect parts to make the perfect man, but does he desire her? Can she keep him? 

This is the first book I have read by this author and I like her writing style. I liked the author's take on the classic story. She made it her own and I was enjoyed every bit of it. It was fun and a tad spicy while keeping elements of the original. The characters were enjoyable and I wanted to be part of their secret society. I'm not sure how I feel about the resolution of Will's problem. It's logical and makes sense. I think I wanted it to be a miracle. I liked the references, especially in the Epilogue, to the author and the story. This is a wonderful fall read! 

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This story brings together four people as war is breaking out in the late 1930s/early 1940's. We read about their individual lives leading up to the war, all from different backgrounds, and how the war brought them together. 
I liked that the story was broken up into parts. Each part is a stage of the war/life for the individuals. I teared up at the end. The author brought it together beautifully. 
This is a quick read. The author writes just enough detail to get a sense of what is going on. While I would have liked to have more depth in the story, I didn't feel it lacked character or story development. 

Thank you Love Books Tour for the opportunity to read and review this book. 

I have yet to read an Enola Holmes story I didn't enjoy. 

Audiobook: I enjoyed the narrator chosen for this audiobook. She voiced each character well and fit Enola's personality. I liked that this was a shorter audiobook. 

Story: I like this stories (and similar) for various reasons. One being that during this time period women were expected to act a certain way and Enola doesn't. She finds a way to get what she needs without Sherlock's help.. She is good at disguises and working people to get information. 

These stories stay true to Sherlock stories. A great mystery to listen to.  

Thank you Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Sensitive topics are mentioned at the beginning of the audiobook. Please check those before reading. 

If you read and enjoyed A Brush with Love you'll enjoy this too. Your favorite characters are back with this story revolving around Lizzie. 

Audiobook: I liked that this has two narrators for the main characters. Each of them brought their character to life and made listening to the story enjoyable. 

Story: I'm not a fan of the pregnancy trope, but I did enjoy this story. The characters are a close group of friends and you can feel the chemistry between Lizzie and Rake. I enjoyed listening to Lizzie's character development throughout the story and she has people who accept her. 

The main character has ADHD and rejection sensitive dysphoria. This is the first I have personally heard of RSD and the way the author wrote the information was informative. The main character describes situation where her ADHA and RSD have been present in her life to give the reader an understanding of what it may feel like if you haven't experienced it. 

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Audio fo the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

This book will make more sense if you read The Queer Principles of Kit Webb first. The two books have overlap and this book starts off where Kit Webb left off. 

There isn't much going on in this book. I didn't see a clear plot. The beginning of this book gives Marian and Rob's perspective of what happened where the first book left off, which I liked. You see their relationship start and we see how the first book played out behind the scenes such as how characters were responsible for actions that set the first book into place. It was over halfway before something was about to happen, but it went just as quickly as it came. 

Overall I enjoyed this story. I's like to see third book to see what mischief all the characters get into together. 

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Audiobook: This is a dual POV story with one female narrator. She was a great choice for this audiobook. The main character is doing her best to be strong and doesn't back down and the narrator conveyed all of that through her voice. 

Story: Amelia is great in this story. She is relatable as a mom doing whatever is best for her children. Standing up for them in the toughest situatuions. This is a mom you don't want to mess with. But this story also shows the vulnerable side of being a parent, a single parent at that. Trying to be enough for your kids, which is something most if not all moms can relate to. 

I enjoyed the banter between Amelia and Kyle in the beginning of the story. I like how the author took her time with their relationship (if you want to call it that). He proved himself and neither of them took it lightly knowing children were involved. 

This story will have you laughing throughout. 

Wonderful audiobook! 

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opporunity to listen to this audiobook.

How far would you go to make your dreams come true?

I was hooked from the start! It was cleverly written story. The author was creative with the incidents and trying everything together like it could have gone a few different ways. The characters are well developed, and it was interesting to see how everyone was connected. I needed a different type of story and this was perfect. 

Can't wait for the next book! Check out the other reviewers tagged for Killing my Softly. 

A soundtrack of Jimmy Wayne's songs featured in the book has been recorded in character by renowned blues musician Mike Zito. 

Thank you Love Books Tour for the opportunity to read and review this book. 

Nick has moved back home to run the family business after his dad retires. His ex-wife's younger sister is living next door. Both are hoping to obtain a piece of land that will be determined through a bet. 

I wasn't sure about this book at first. Nick is Melanie's ex brother-in-law and that is the part of the story I didn't care for. Personal preference. It wasn't that it was written weird, but the idea just isn't for me. Outside of that I enjoyed this book.I like the author's writing style. The story is well written, the characters are likable. It is set in a small town  so this has community support and rumor mills. 

Overall this is cute, lighthearted story. I would read another book by this author. 

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Audiobook: This audiobook had a male and female narrator. Overall I think they both fit the tone of the book and the characters. While the female narrator did a good job with the character voices, I didn't care for her otherwise. She sounded like a newscaster when not in character. The narrators did bring out some emotion in the story and you could feel the connection between the two main characters. It took time to warm up to the narrators and I think this has affected how I enjoyed the audiobook overall. 

Story: Overall I enjoyed the story. It is told in dual POV. The story was well written, has a good storyline and the characters are well developed. I could tell the author put everything into writing this story. 

This is a wonderful romance to end your summer. 

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.

I liked the characters and the author's writing. The story itself was ok. Part of the storyline is around one of the bookshop employees. She is determined to have a controversial poet at the store because she believes it is her father. But when it got to that point there was a brief encounter with her mom and the poet, but it quickly ended. The storylines of the main characters in the story felt this way. Over just as quick as it began. At times it felt like there was too much going on. 

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I liked the characters and the author's writing. The story itself was ok. Part of the storyline is around one of the bookshop employees. She is determined to have a controversial poet at the store because she believes it is her father. But when it got to that point there was a brief encounter with her mom and the poet, but it quickly ended. The storylines of the main characters in the story felt this way. Over just as quick as it began. At times it felt like there was too much going on. 

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I've been a fan of this author since I read her traveling series and this book did not disappoint. What I like about this author and her writing is that she draws you in from the beginning . The story keeps you wanting more. 

This was an interesting storyline. The main character is from a well off family in the publishing industry. She wants more than this life offers her, so she gets a job at a library on the brink of closing. No one knows who she really is. Funds are lacking and she is unable to purchase anything to update the library. She encounters people in the community who have a bad reputation, but Elodie is the one person willing to give them a chance. She creates the Human Library. The community can schedule time with these human books and hear their story and squash the rumors that have been spread about them. Don't judge a book by its cover. Don't judge a person but what you see. 

This is a wonderful story and a good reminder to not dismiss people based off what you see or hear. 

Thank you NetGalley and HQ for the opportunity to read and review this story.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. I felt everything this story conveyed. 

Percy was a relatable character for me. She constantly feels like she is messing up, a failure, but she finds herself and her confidence. This was a hopeful story that I believe readers will relate to. The characters in the story are funny, likable and entertaining. Mimi is the best! 

Congratulations to the author on her debut! 

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to listen to this book.

I was drawn to this book for it's title and it didn't disappoint. I was drawn in from the beginning! It made me laugh, smile and cry. It was more than i expected it to be. 

I loved everything about this book. The characters are likable. I was laughing at Swan and Nick throughout most of the book. Their banter and chemistry is perfect. Blah is a sweet, funny grandma and I felt for Swan as she deals with her situation.  

The story is broken up into parts, which are typical points in a romance story. This made the story predictable, but the way the author wrote each chapter/section was perfect. 

I imagine the audiobook version of this is amazing! 

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Audio: The narrator fit the main character's voice and personality. She didn't sound like she was just reading, but gave the book life. 

Story: This was a different take on enemies to lovers and I'm not sure what I think about the book. Overall I liked the story and the author's writing. The characters were likable and well developed. 

What makes me unsure is the main character. I like that she is a strong, smart woman. However, she is very much against the male lead in the story and it felt that way even until the end. The end felt like she just gave in to him. I'm not convinced that is what she wanted. The story skips to six months later (not the epilogue) and the main character is still in the same spot. She hasn't progressed on her stance with the male main character. 

Thank you NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for the opportunity to listen to this story.

I can't say enough about this book! NetGalley had it preview on read now and the first five chapters had me hooked! I was grateful to have been approved for the full story. 

This story has everything! A little mystery, a lot of spice, radium and a strong love of family and culture. 

The author brings so much of herself in this story. It's clear how much her culture and family have not only shaped her, but America as well. 

I enjoyed reading about the history of traqueros and how they have shaped their communities. In this story Alex works to keep her culture prominent in their community. Even though the Mexicans had a strong influence there is still discrimination today. 

There is a great cast of characters in the story and the chemistry between Alex and Jeremiah is 🔥. 

The author did a wonder job on this book and I look forward to reading more from her. 

Thank you NetGalley and Carina Press for the opportunity to read and review this story.

This is a Pride and Prejudice retelling from the view of Georgiana Darcy. She is entering her third year of Pemberley. Her second year ended in disaster when Wickham Foster gets her involved in a situation she knew nothing about. She is determined to be the perfect Darcy and rid Wickham of her life. 

Audiobook: I enjoyed the narrator chosen for this audiobook. She fit Georgie's personality, how I would picture her, and brought her to life. 

Story: I enjoyed this unique retelling of a classic story. The author merges the classic story with modern elements. through the characters and scenes throughout the story. 

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this story.

I didn't connect with the story, but this is a cute YA story. The story is well written, I liked the storyline and how the author pulled her culture into the story (along with a little bit of magic). The characters are likable and have good character development. The issues the characters face in the story are issues the target reader would face. As a reader I did feel the chemistry between the two main characters. 

I liked the choice of narrator. She brought the voice and emotion to the story. This is how I would imagine the story and the character to sound.  

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillion Audio/Young Listeners for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

When the Day Comes is a unique read. 
Libby lives two different lives in two time periods, 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and 1914 Gilded Age New York City. As her 21st birthday approaches she will need to choose one path to stay on for the remainder of her life. She is confident in the path she wants to take, but then there is an unexpected event. 
This book was well written. The author makes a smooth transition back and forth between the two time periods. It was interesting reading the main character's role in both eras as these are two historical points. Libby takes action in both eras to do good for the cause. I liked the twist at the end. 
The story did seem predictable, but I still enjoyed seeing how the character handled the situation. The story has brief situations that were hard to read so check that before reading. 
Overall this was a wonderful read. 
Thank you Love Books Tours and Bethany House Fiction for the opportunity to read and review this book. 

I rate this 3.5. It doesn't have anything to do with the subject matter. It had too much spice for my liking. 

This book deals with mental illness, which is pointed out at the beginning of the book. The two main characters are each working through their own mental illness throughout the story and it's what connects them. The author writes it in a way to help the reader better understand what the character is going through past and present. 

Throughout the story we see how the characters have come to terms with their mental illness and how they are working through that with therapy or techniques. We read how the characters would normally act in settings such as big crowds and how they have learned to deal with these situations. 

To me the author also displayed a sense of progression when it comes to how society see mental illness past and present. Walker's former classmates realize now that they were not there for him or didn't realize what he needed, but now they understand. The character's friends in this story recognize and check in with them making sure they are ok. Having this positive support in a story and mainly real life is crucial. 

The narrator was good choice for Aja, but I didn't care for her as much for the Walker. The voice didn't fit what I thought he would sound like. Personal preference. Overall I did like the narrator though. 

Bet on It is a great story. While it deals with heavy topics, it also shows how we can be there for our loved ones. I did like the author's writing style and would read another book written by this author. 

I listened to this as an audiobook at 1x to 1.75x speed. 

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

I'd give this a 3.5. I was drawn to the book for his plot. It seemed like a different type of story than what I have read recently. 

However, I didn't feel the connection with the main character and her love interest. Their relationship came off as more friends with benefits to me. I also didn't care for some of the dialogue between the two main characters. The wording felt immature for the story considering the rest of the story was well written. 

Overall I liked this book. It had a strong beginning and end. I did find myself wondering how the author would lead the main character to solve her problem (in a good way). The author does a great job of setting the scene and you can feel like you are in the story. The characters are relatable and people you would want to hang out with. There are a diverse set of characters as well. 

I would read another book by this author. 

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (grand Central Publishing) for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Check Mate is the third book in the Under Kansas Skies series about the Windell siblings. This is David's story. 

This enemies to lovers, opposites attract story is my favorite in the series. David and Isabella are neighbors who can't stand each other. He is wound tight and she can't be tied down. Their prank war is a highlight of this story. Despite all this David is protective of Isa when they find themselves on a trip together. Maybe they have more in common than they think. 
 
This is a great series if you closed doors romance. 

These stories can be read as standalones. 

Thank you Leah Brunner for the ARC!