Susan Scribner
I've enjoyed this series so far but this installment was the strongest. The romance that has been building up between Kate and Curran finally reaches the point that readers have been waiting for and it is well worth the wait. I think what sets this series apart from others that feature kick-butt heroines and alpha heroes is the the fact that Ilona Andrews is a husband/wife team. The male perspective keeps the romance from becoming too mushy, makes Curran's POV realistic, and adds plenty of action (and perhaps a little too much gore, but I skim those parts).
Got this book for 99 cents as a Barnes & Noble Daily Deal so I really can't complain (but I will anyway). Very disappointing. Neither romantic nor suspenseful. Too many characters who are obviously sequel bait with unexplained backstories, and too much secrecy on the part of both hero and heroine. Since they were either annoying each other or not telling each other the whole truth for much of the book, their final declarations of love were pretty unbelievable. The suspense plot was thin and the heroine's alleged amazing computer skills were never really demonstrated. If the goal of the 99 cent introduction to the series was to get me hooked enough to buy the rest of the books full price, sorry but I think I can live a full life without knowing what happens to Sophie, Mia, Troy,and other characters yet to be introduced.
3.5 stars. I liked the friendship between Simon and Roger as much as, if not more than the romance between Simon and Declan. The author does a good job of showing the complicated dynamics of two men who are lifelong best friends after one of them comes out of the closet. As for the romance, it starts out strong but then it gets bogged down in repetitive misunderstandings and miscommunications. At the end of the day I wasn't sure that Declan and Simon had grown or learned or changed enough that their relationship would survive in the long run.
Not badly written but the heroine was such a hot mess until almost the last page that I wanted to slap her silly numerous times. Absolutely no idea why the hero stuck around past the first time she verbally abused him, much less came back for more hysteria. Thank goodness the heroine was a veterinarian so the book featured a few cute animals, most notably the hero's dog, but there was not enough focus on her profession and too much repetitive angst. Can't really complain because the book was free, but it didn't make me want to seek out the author's other works.
Fearne Hill has been one of my favorite author discoveries of 2022, but Cloud Ten is a disappointment. The plot relies on two of my least favorite tropes - Gay For You (I thought that one had been banished), and Boss/Employee. Plus the book has some of the corniest “mega corporation shows they really care about the environment and diversity” scenes I've ever encountered. I did like Frankie, his unique triplet bond with his brother and sister, his goofy friends, and his sister's multilayered boyfriend. I would have enjoyed reading a whole book of the six of them hanging out and taking the piss out of each other. And the Bosom Buddies update from an obviously male Tom Hanks in a dress, wig and fake boobs to genderqueer Frankie in a dress, playing up the makeup he already wears, and treating himself to lacy panties at least partially makes amends for a decades-long insult. I recommend [b:Brushed With Love 60180408 Brushed With Love (Surfing the Waves, #1) Fearne Hill https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1642852353l/60180408.SY75.jpg 94916846] and its follow up [b:Dipped in Sunshine 60720181 Dipped in Sunshine (Surfing the Waves, #2) Fearne Hill https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1648758865l/60720181.SY75.jpg 95731135] if you want to read Hill at her best.
DNF at 65%. Book Riot has an article today entitled “In Defense of the Miscommunication Trope in Romance.” The writer's point is that when the Dreaded Mis isn't the only factor keeping the MCs apart, it can actually be very effective. Sadly, the plot of Beth O'Leary's latest novel hinges on one single missed communication. The FMC sent the MMC a romantic Christmas letter proposing a kiss under the mistletoe, but he never responded, and was later seen kissing her roommate. At no point in the story does the FMC ask the MMC why he blew her off, or consider other reasons for his behavior besides his inherent awfulness (surprise, he never got the letter).
I noped out for good when the MMC overhears the FMC having a conversation about another man and assumes she is two-timing their “get it out of our systems” hate-f*cking. You know what, the two of them deserve each other.
The first new KJC release in more than 18 months (not counting the [b:A Thief in the Night 62586915 A Thief in the Night K.J. Charles https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1663345540l/62586915.SX50.jpg 98332298] bc I don't do audiobooks) is a blessed event. Wish it were twice as long, but KJ manages to pack a lot into 100ish pages, and every word that [redacted] utters is clever, menacing, and strangely helpful. Thank you for this unexpected holiday gift Ms. Charles! With at least 2 KJC books coming in 2023, it's bound to be a better year.
A rare thing of beauty - an engaging contemporary romance featuring two middle-aged MCs. Maggie and Aidan start out as online RPG pals, and then progress to IRL friends and finally lovers. Throughout the novel they talk to each other about their issues and concerns, and there is scarcely an argument, much less a Third Act Breakup to be found. Maggie is a grumpy introvert who cares deeply for her college-aged son but DGAF about what anyone else thinks about her. Aiden is a sweet bi/demisexual introvert whose only flaw is his willingness to tolerate unwarranted hostility from his mother and sister-in-law.
Two caveats that might affect your enjoyment of the book: 1) the MCs don't meet in person until the 40% mark, although they start interacting online much earlier; and 2) Aiden's mother is a toxic narcissist who constantly berates, threatens and manipulates him. I was extremely triggered during their scenes together, although Aiden does stand up for himself (with Maggie's help) by the novel's conclusion.
Although I can't call this a thoroughly “feel good” novel due to the family dynamics, it was a lovely, mature romance. I will definitely re-read it, skipping over any chapters that feature Aiden's pathological mother. More romances with MCs who qualify for AARP cards, please!
DNF at 30%. I am always happy to see Jewish MCs in romance novels, but I could tell from the get-go that Home for the Challah Days was another one of those dreaded Small Town romances. You know, big city girl with high profile job and ambitious boyfriend returns to her New Jersey hometown and learns to value the truly important things in life, including the salt-of-the-earth ex who runs his family's Jewish deli.
In case the message is too subtle for you, one of the characters references “Crossing Delancey,” the 1988 movie in which Amy Irving pines after a snooty, intellectual author but ends up in love with the working-class mensch who owns a pickle shop. I did appreciate the fact that Wilck sets her novel around the Jewish New Year holidays (we have enough Hanukkah romances already), and she provides enough context so non-Jews won't get lost. Maybe her next novel will use a different trope that doesn't vilify urban settings and ambitious women.
What a hoot! Unique blend of steampunk and supernatural, with extremely dry humor and a lively (if unsentimental) romance. Kind of reminded me of Amelia Peabody series, if Amelia had the unique ability to neutralize supernatural beings and if Emerson was a werewolf. I've heard the other books in the series aren't as strong so I'm reluctant to check them out, but this one is almost perfect by itself. Can't wait to read it again.
The e-book is currently 99 cents on Amazon and B&N, so it's a bargain. But even at full price Soulless would have been worth every penny.
This was a trainwreck of a novel, and only the fact that the author is obviously a true book lover keeps me from giving it one star. Where do I start? Maybe with the fact that the author appears to know nothing about women, and his heroine Sophie is more caricature than character. Throw in not one, but two, slightly creepy relationships between young women and older men (purely platonic but still somehow icky), a villain who might as well be twirling his mustache and a love interest who barely registers, and of course let's not forget the completely and frankly absurd portrayal of Jane Austen and you've got a mess. Only the fact that the chapters were very short kept me reading in a state of semi-disbelief that the author was really trying to pull this off. Sadly, my first impression of this book was exactly the same as my final impression: not a great read, and not an author I will follow.
The latest release from prolific, reliable Barbara O'Neal (aka [a:Barbara Samuel 175137 Barbara Samuel https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1296597110p2/175137.jpg] and [a:Ruth Wind 53017 Ruth Wind https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1619552320p2/53017.jpg]) is a little slow, considering the number of subplots that are packed into 350+ pages. And at times it is a tad confusing, with a mix of chapters set in the present, chapters set in the MCs' childhood/adolescence, and chapters that are set in the present but the MCs flash back in their minds to the past. However, I have to recommend a book that has not one but two Medicare-eligible female MCs who can still Get It, and are not mocked as sex-crazed grannies.
TW: religious trauma (author is former Mormon who admits this is a deeply personal book)
Definitely not the “former 90s child stars have trouble coping with post-fame adulthood” book I was expecting; Mister Magic is far more creepy, menacing and inscrutable. 5 stars for the character development, 3 stars for the poorly explained denouement and bittersweet ending.
I guess I really don't care that much about parking. Another nonfiction book that would have been more successful as an article in New Yorker or other similar publication.
One of the better M/F contemporary romances I've read in the past year (frankly, it doesn't have much competition), and a significant improvement on Thompson's 2022 mainstream debut, [b:Love in the Time of Serial Killers 59722215 Love in the Time of Serial Killers Alicia Thompson https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1640224232l/59722215.SX50.jpg 94049519]. The plot is nemeses-to-lovers, with a slightly run-d0wn “winter in Florida” theme park as the unusual setting. The FMC is a former foster child with intimacy and control issues. The MMC's parents threw him out of the house when he was caught kissing another boy, leaving him with abandonment issues. The buttoned-up FMC and the laid-back MMC take a little too long to get past their mutual antagonism, but as they slowly open up to each other their relationship becomes passionate and supportive. This is one of the few M/F romances I've encountered in which the MMC's bisexuality is an important plot point, instead of a way for the author to performatively indicate their queer allyship. The novel's cover image suggests that it will have a similar vibe to an Ali Hazelwood book, but I found Alicia Thompson to be more skilled at creating realistic, flawed characters and thus a more satisfying HEA.Slightly tangential, but important to me, rant: This is the second book I have read recently that uses the “we can just get a grant to save the organization!” resolution. As a former grant writer, I can assure you that there aren't oodles of grants growing on trees, just waiting to be picked by any earnest do-gooders that come around. Getting a grant is usually a long, laborious and complex process that requires a specific set of skills, not just “good at writing.”
Yulin Kuang is getting a lot of press as the screenwriter for two upcoming films based on [a:Emily Henry 13905555 Emily Henry https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1573928938p2/13905555.jpg]'s novels. Unfortunately, Kuang's own debut novel isn't strong enough to support its challenging plot - a love story between two people who are linked by a devastating tragedy. Thirteen years ago, Grant was behind the wheel when Helen's younger, troubled sister darted in front of his car and was killed. Grant wasn't at fault; Michelle had researched suicide online, and her toxicology report showed illegal substance use. But Helen, in her grief, still blamed him. When they meet again as a successful YA author whose books are being adapted into a TV series (Helen) and the screenwriter for the show (Grant), Helen can't stand to be in the same room as her sister's killer. Cue chemistry, a few heart-to-heart conversations, and spicy lovemaking. Helen and Grant's passion is easy to accept (hate f*cking exists), the love much less so. Screenwriting and novel writing are separate skills, and Kuang is unable to capture that magical spark of connection that makes a HEA possible (including a wedding!) between two people with such a traumatic beginning (hint: it's more than witty dialogue). Emily Henry's debut, [b:Beach Read 52867387 Beach Read Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589881197l/52867387.SX50.jpg 67832247], heralded the arrival of a bright new talent right out of the gate, and her subsequent novels have been equally successful. Kuang's admiration and respect for the author make me optimistic about the translation of Beach Read and [b:People We Meet on Vacation 54985743 People We Meet on Vacation Emily Henry https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618913179l/54985743.SX50.jpg 67832306] to the big screen, but as a novelist she's not in Henry's league, at least not yet.
I feel like I'm missing something given all of the rave reviews for this book. It was...fine. Interesting character study but IMHO not anything mind-blowingly creative or groundbreaking. Maybe I'm just not literary enough to understand it. I do appreciate all of the references to [b:Our Town 205476 Our Town Thornton Wilder https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442891231l/205476.SY75.jpg 3119231], and I hope Tom Lake readers will seek out Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, as well as his other work.
I really, really wanted to love this book. A gender-flipped Cinderella romance set in a Jewish community that gets all of the subtle nuances right about my religion/culture should have been a home run.
But sadly, my reaction was lukewarm at best. Grossman's dense prose makes for a slow read, and the MCs' respective “she's too good for me”/”I can't afford to marry for love” tropes are repeated ad nauseum. Aaron's characterization is inconsistent; he's both a downtrodden schlemiel who is reduced to serving as the synagogue's janitor and a sexually experienced charmer whose witty repartee is incompatible with his humble reputation. Isabelle is unbelievably perfect: a beautiful, tough-as-nails, Machiavelli-quoting businesswoman with a 21st century sex positive attitude and expertise in swordplay (sure, why not throw that in, even if it's irrelevant to the plot?).
Isabelle hires Aaron to spy on her prospective bridegrooms, but the fact that he barely accomplishes anything is never addressed; the task is just an excuse to get them in the same room so they can banter, flirt, and eventually make love (I never want to see the words "Please suck my shmekle" on page ever again). I realize this is supposed to be a fairytale, complete with Fairy Godmother, but then why include sobering reminders about 19th century English Jews' ever-present fear of persecution or expulsion?
I hope this book finds great success, because we need more tradpub romances with Jewish MCs. But I feel like I “took one for the team” instead of really enjoying the book.
Quick read with the depth of a People magazine article. The media has already spilled the beans on the gossipy parts (Justin Timberlake, Kevin Federline, Colin Farrell (!?)) but I don't think I know anything more about Britney Spears, the real person, than I did before I started reading. Would have appreciated learning more about the writing and recording of her hit songs, but the paucity of that detail leads me to believe that she had a limited role in both processes.
The latest book from prolific author Susan Wiggs tries to do too many things and succeeds at few of them. The first part pits poor but smart and ambitious high school valedictorian/surfer girl Nikki against her evil, rich classmate and his equally nefarious family members. It seems like Wiggs is setting up a suspenseful David vs. Goliath battle, with family secrets added in for spice. But no, after Nikki goes off-script for her graduation speech, derailing her college dreams, the book jumps 15 years ahead. Now she is 33, heartbroken and penniless after limited pro-surfing success and a lot of hand-to-mouth living in Australia. So now that Nikki is back home we're going to pick up the good vs. evil subplot, since the villainous family is still in charge of the town, right? Nope, we're going to band together with the salt of the earth locals to save the vintage trailer park that her father runs. And fall in love again. And, in the last few chapters, passively overhear something that allows her to finally take down the bad guys. A host of secondary characters who appear to have promising arcs are never or rarely heard from again, and the love interest is problematic to me (he's a cop). The only plot point that resonated with me was the relationship between Nikki and her single father, which is tenuous at the book's start but improves markedly yet realistically by the end.I may be asking to much from a literal beach read, but I know that Wiggs is capable of much more, e.g., [b:The Apple Orchard 16074553 The Apple Orchard (Bella Vista Chronicles, #1) Susan Wiggs https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388276273l/16074553.SX50.jpg 18171290] and [b:The Beekeeper's Ball 18528409 The Beekeeper's Ball (Bella Vista Chronicles, #2) Susan Wiggs https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1398188002l/18528409.SY75.jpg 26234058].
3.5 stars. One thing you say about Alexis Hall is that he never writes the same book twice. Some of the genres he has explored have worked for me and some haven't, but I know I'll never be bored. Mortal Follies is not going to make my list of Top 5 Alexis Hall books, but it was highly entertaining in its own way. The story is narrated by a “knavish sprite” named Robin who has been exiled from the fairy court for reasons unknown. Now that he has to deal with vile things like rent and utilities, he has reluctantly signed with a publisher to tell some of the stories he has gathered over the centuries. He chooses one set in 1814, because he has heard that readers have a fondness for the Regency era. Something about the dresses perhaps? Or the balls? Or perhaps you're all just nostalgic for the staggering social inequality? I wouldn't blame you, I found it hilarious myself. The Corn Laws, for example, were a masterpiece of comic invention; raising the price of grain so much that the people who grow it can't afford it? Genius! Of course we live in more enlightened times now. I wish I could tell you that the rest of the book is as sharply satirical as the Prologue, but unfortunately during the main story the best Robin can do is throw in a few snarky asides. The nominal MC of the novel is Miss Maelys Mitchelmore, who finds herself the victim of a curse laid upon her by an unknown source. During the first manifestation of the curse, when Miss Mitchelmore's clothing starts dissolving at a fancy ball, she is rescued by the mysterious Lady Georgiana Landrake, a reclusive, cynical woman who is rumored to have murdered her father and three brothers. Because she is the only family member left alive, she has been given the moniker “Duke of Annadale,” and is both feared and scorned. Of course Miss Mitchelmore and the Duke of Annnadale are going to fall in love, despite several curses and angry goddesses, society's distaste for Sapphic passion, and the Duke's insistence on pushing Miss Mitchelmore away for her own good. But Miss Mitchelmore develops into a strong young woman who will not be so easily gainsaid. Because everything is seen through Robin's jaded eyes, I couldn't fully engage in the relationship between the two women. We never get inside their heads or hearts, other than what they choose to share with each other. Fortunately the secondary characters shine, most notably Miss Mitchelmore's loyal, loquacious, totally oblivious BFF Miss Bickle, and Miss Mitchelmore's caring but clueless parents, who are more interested in science than society. If you view the book as a Shakespearean comedy romp (Robin claims to have given old William an excellent story but the bastard didn't even give me a co-writer credit), you will likely appreciate Mortal Follies. If you are expecting a heartfelt, emotionally wrenching story like Hall's [b:A Lady for a Duke 57007967 A Lady for a Duke Alexis Hall https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1646064290l/57007967.SY75.jpg 89199426], you will be extremely disappointed. In that case you will just have to hope that his muses point him in that direction again some day.ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review.
I was expecting inspirational BS about finding joy in everyday life, but Inciting Joy is something much different. Gay finds joy in human connection, and his essays recount times in his life when that connection was most apparent and notable. He doesn't always stay on topic (although his footnotes are interesting) but the book was a joy (sorry) to read. He cites [a:Hanif Abdurraqib 14133519 Hanif Abdurraqib https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1567950898p2/14133519.jpg] as a friend, and anyone who liked [b:They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us 33947154 They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us Hanif Abdurraqib https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1499891448l/33947154.SX50.jpg 54916808] will sense that Gay is a kindred spirit.
Donovan X. Ramsey tells the story of the crack epidemic of the 1980s and early 90s, correcting long-held assumptions and personalizing the issue by following four individuals: a promising Black basketball player who became a crack dealer in Newark NJ; a white dude from Yonkers NY whose father turned their home into a crackhouse; a Black girl from South Central LA who started smoking crack to deaden the pain from years of parental abuse; and the first Black mayor of Baltimore, whose early attempts to decriminalize drug use were doomed to fail.
The 350+ pages read like a novel. Ramsey knows when to step back and provide historical context, but the bulk of the book is devoted to exploring how and why each of his engaging subjects were impacted by crack. The three that were most directly involved with the drug have turned their lives around, demonstrating their resilience and debunking the myth that its addictive properties were irreparable. Ramsey doesn't give a lot of credence to the theory that the government purposefully introduced crack into Black neighborhoods. However, he shows undeniable evidence that, by secretly meddling in Latin American politics and drug cartels, the government knowingly allowed crack to be brought into our country.
These days, medically-assisted treatment and harm reduction strategies are promoted, likely because the opioid epidemic hit white communities first. The “blame the victim, arrest our way out of this problem” mentality of the crack epidemic stands as a stark and shameful contrast.
Thank god someone is still writing “Women's Fiction” and hasn't turned to the dark side of suspense/thrillers. This is Jojo Moyes' first new release since 2019, and a welcome return to a contemporary British setting after her historical American fiction novel [b:The Giver of Stars 43925876 The Giver of Stars Jojo Moyes https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572879113l/43925876.SX50.jpg 68351635].A simple mix-up turns into a life-changing event when Sam Kemp picks up the wrong bag at the gym. Instead of her sensible shoes and drab clothing, she finds a pair of Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes with six inch heels and a Chanel jacket. Sam has a lot on her plate; her husband is unemployed and depressed, her parents are demanding, her best friend is battling cancer, and her new boss is looking for any excuse to fire her. When she puts on the Christian Louboutins, she somehow feels braver and stronger, but the impact of that simple act throws her life into even more chaos.Nisha Cantor is a jet-setting trophy wife who is wondering who the hell stole her bag. Her life quickly goes extremely pear-shaped when she attempts to return to the penthouse suite at the Bentley Hotel, only to discover that her husband Carl has locked her out and closed down all of her bank accounts. With a stranger's clothes on her back, Nisha is reduced to a few nights at a fleabag hotel, swearing vengeance on Carl and the bitch whose shoe theft signaled her downfall. Neither Sam nor Nisha are fully sympathetic characters. Sam is a bit of a doormat and Nisha is mostly selfish (with one major exception). But with the help of several memorable old and new friends, Sam finds her spine and Nisha opens her heart. The critical scene in which they finally meet, more than halfway through the novel, sets up a daring caper that shows the power of women working together. Highly recommended for a temporary antidote to those midwinter blues, although it would make an excellent beach read as well.
Compulsively readable and just barely avoids being unbearably twee. I was hoping for an homage to the classic children's book [b:The Westing Game 902 The Westing Game Ellen Raskin https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356850909l/902.SX50.jpg 869832] with its riddles and puzzles, but the source material in this debut novel is more Gene Wilder's version of “Willy Wonka” and [b:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 236093 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1) L. Frank Baum https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1398003737l/236093.SY75.jpg 1993810].