Lauren

3.5 and rounding up. Sense & Sensibility is my favorite of the Jane Austen books and this is a lovely re-imagining.

3.5 and rounding up

I found the book to very be a fairly candid account of Ms. Rice's life and career. It was an interesting, if long, read. What I found most compelling is how it helped me shape an opinion of her I was not expecting. I hadn't realized she was such a moderate/centrist, and I find that quite disappointing, though not surprising after learning more about her upbringing and the trajectory of her career.

Worth the read if you'd like some insight into the different roles within government i.e. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, United States ambassador to the United Nations, United States National Security Advisor, etc, and if you're into political tea.

I appreciate the decision to limit the access to the book.

Not much has changed since the writing of this a DECADE ago.
SMDH

I went into this book completely unaware of what it was about. It's been sitting in my audible library forever and I decided it was time to give it a listen. Well, I get why people like this book, however, we've come a long way since 2013, and I just don't feel comfortable with a book written about a MC with Aspergers by an author without it. I'd much rather read something by an Own Voices author. I could critique the content more, but i found this book very off putting especially by the behavior of the neurotypical love interest who is also a psych phd candidate.

I started and stopped this one so many times. The first few chapters it just felt difficult to stay engaged with the audiobook. I'd say around the 40% it got easier. Perhaps it was because I was grasping the concepts betters. Interesting stuff, just tough to keep reading.

Audiobook was FANTASTIC

3.5. Would have loved a deeper exploration of Ben's anxiety outside of just his description of it. The therapy sessions would have been a great opportunity to really work through it.

3.5 Great primer for those who have recently come out or for allies. I think the concept of shifting your perspective to “bisexuality is the majority default” can be helpful and healing to a lot of people vs feeling like you are an outlier.

Would have really liked more reflection on the discrimination happening in western countries, particularly the USA. While it is touched on, I think there was room to go further especially in regard to BIPOC trans folx who are bisexual.

Thanks to Goodreads for providing me with a copy via a giveaway.

3.5
I think your average thriller reader will definitely enjoy this one.
I love a dual POV and this was no exception. Plus it featured a slow, layered reveal as well, which I'm always a sucker for, and this one keeps serving them up right to the end.

Without giving too much away, if you are into domestic thrillers, that centers on a lying partner that gets their comeuppance...well this one is for you.

The audiobook has two narrators for the dual POV, which I always appreciate as a listener.

***Thank you to Bookouture Audio for providing me with the Audiobook for free via NetGalley for an unbiased review.

This was a cathartic read.

Really enjoyed the art style of this. I think the audience that will enjoy this the most is YA.
The narrative had many elements I enjoy. Short vignettes, different narrative and visual styles, a coming of age, queer story, a bit abstract, with a MC who is struggling to find their place in the world. It felt like many of the memoir graphic novels I've enjoyed in the past.

However, even though there were a lot of ideas introduced, none of them really felt like they were explored enough. Personally, I would have liked there to be at least one that had a full arc that made sense.

I would certainly pickup another graphic novel from Joana Estrela.

***Thank you to NetGalley and Levine Querido, Em Querido for the e-ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Perfect read for a teen, young adult or someone looking for a quick but insightful read.

I love how Shavone highlights how limited our perspectives can be when it comes to opportunities in different industries. (i.e. we often are taught/believe you need to be a nurse or doctor if you want to be in the medical field, but you could also be an X-ray tech, phlebotomist, pharm tech, ultrasound tech.) In Shavone's case, she talks about in tech, people think you need to be a computer science major, know how to code and go to an elite school. But you can find a role that you can thrive in no matter your personal experience and background.

She describes the importance of diversity in the workplace and how the BIPOC community that helps create the culture of social media spaces online is often not represented in the offices of tech which puts a lot of pressure on the few BIPOC employees to carry the mental load and be advocates for their communities.

Really enjoyed getting a snapshot of her experience in big tech.

3.75 and rounding up. I picked this up because of the atmosphere and it did not disappoint. Set in the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland we are snowed in with an old group of friends who have gotten together after many years apart to remember and celebrate the life of of their friends who pasted away 10 years earlier.

I had the chance to visit the smallest of the islands a few years ago on my honeymoon and to say that I was living for all the little details of life on the Inis Mór is an understatement.

I think for the seasoned thriller reader you will find this fairly predictable, but that didn't take away from my experience of reading it. It's a solid thriller, with a slow reveal of many secrets and many twists. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys locked room/trapped on an island mysteries or has an interest in the Irish setting.

Audiobook was great. I'll definitely be keeping an ear out for more narrated by Jacqueline Milne.

***Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

3.75 and rounding up.
Check the content warnings on this one.

The only thing saving this from being a 2 star read is the solid 3rd act reveal and ending. But it was a tedious, frustrating journey to get there.

Loved learning about Ida. I will definitely be seeking out more books about her life. I would have give. This a higher rating but the structure of the book felt disjointed. I think this would be a good option for a YA audience and may work better in print vs. audio.

3.5

Definitely don't read if you are triggered by verbal abuse, particularly misogynistic, and body horror.

This was a fun YA re-imagining of a cult classic.

3.5 and rounding down
Another fun installment of the Finlay Donovan series.

I have to say, while I'm not thrilled with the setting for this one, I am always up for a training/competition plot line.

This mystery definitely kept me guessing right until the reveal which is usually something that doesn't happen.

If you are fan of the Finlay and Vero duo, you will certain get your fill of hijinks in this one. It was a funny, fast paced, tension and action filled read that I couldn't put down.

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
***Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with the Audiobook for free via NetGalley for an unbiased review.

2.5 and rounding up because I think there is an audience that will enjoy reading this.

As someone who is very particular about the romances they pickup because it's not a genre I tend to love, I'm always very conscious of my reviews because I don't want to turn people away from a book they will enjoy, just because I'm picky.

I really wanted to like this one, especially since it features a Black MC, and she's about to enter her 30's, so I was hoping it would be relatable since I met my husband when I turned 30, but I found so much of it extremely grating. At the 50% mark I was ready to give up, but felt like I had to continue because of receiving an ARC. I'm sure this book will be liked by many, but so much of the conflict centers on non-communication and that super irks me.


SPOILERS
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Firstly, Indigo is a 30 year old woman who was burned in the past, and therefore everyone in her family feels the need to gatekeep her dating life, particularly her father, who repeatedly states that he needs to approve of who she's with.

She is in love with her best friend, but they refuse to talk about their relationship. NOT COMMUNICATING as a means of causing conflict is a real pet peeve of mine.

So then she meets a really nice guy she likes, they talk every day, and yet it's over a month before they discuss the fact that she has a dog, and he's not a dog person? It's over a month before he tells her he's a recovering alcoholic? And she completely panics about it, and decides to not talk to him for days so she can figure out whether she wants to keep dating him? Again, wouldn't COMMUNICATING be the best move on this? That way you can figure out together how to best work together to be on the same page with what being together would like, and what they both need?

It felt like a badly orchestrated conflict to make a reason for her to start dating the rude guy that works for the same law firm as her parents, who has been chasing her despite her repeatedly telling him NO.

So sadly, this was a miss for me, but as I mentioned before I'm certain there is an audience who will enjoy this.

***Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with the audiobook for free via NetGalley for an unbiased review.

This was a fast-paced, well woven mystery. Even with the target audience being YA, it didn't feel like it was written “down” for the demographic, which makes me very happy as a reader.

As someone who reads A LOT of thrillers and mysteries, I typically know the twist way before it comes, but this one definitely took me by surprise.

Loved the atmosphere of a small town and a main character who leans wholly into their interest with the darker side of life. I really enjoyed this one, and would absolutely recommend it to the young adults in your life.

Narration was spot on and I look forward to reading more from this author.

***Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with the audiobook for free via NetGalley for an unbiased review.

3.5 and rounding up. This is such a sweet romance, literally and metaphorically. For all you food lovers out there, get ready for lots of baked goods.

I haven't read the others in the series, but I think this works very well as a standalone.

When it comes to romances, I don't get too hung up on tropes, and this one does a very good job of making me not roll my eyes at the cliche' and predictable situations. In fact, I laughed out loud a few times, which doesn't happen very often when reading.

My one big requirement when it comes to relationships in this genre is that they aren't toxic and that the plot doesn't solely rely on miscommunication/lack of communication to be the crux of the drama.

On the contrary, MIXED SIGNALS is a great example of how communication can be super hot, and is the key to a healthy, sustainable relationship.

This surprisingly steaming, charming book was an easy read, with a dual narration. They used two narrators for the audiobook, which I always appreciate.

My biggest critique is with the Act III break up and reconciliation.
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD:
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I feel like there was a missed opportunity to have Layla have some real character growth. Instead of focusing on her horrendous list of blind dates, we could have dove deeper on where her insecurities stem from (both romantically and professionally), mainly her family's disapproval of her life choices. It would have made her behavior more believable and sympathetic. Instead I grew increasingly frustrated with her, despite really rooting for her the whole book. The epilogue too was a missed chance to show some growth from her. Like getting into therapy, working on those feelings of needing to prove herself, ect.

***Thank you to Dreamscape Media for providing me with the audiobook for free via NetGalley for an unbiased review.

I found this exasperating to read.
I was able to figure out the killer very early on and the rest of the story just seemed to drag and drag. The main character was infuriating which I could get past if the story wasn't such a slog. I don't understand how his partner put up with it. If the rest of the series were to follow the partner I would consider continuing.

3,5 and rounding up
As far as sequels go, I found this very satisfying.
Once the action picks up about halfway through it's a great ride to the end.