Book Review: O Goalie Night by K.M. Gillis

December 28, 2024December 13, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Christmas Sports Romance
Length: 333 pages
Author: K.M. Gillis
Publisher: Literary Lupin
Release Date: November 1st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

‘Tis the season to be tempted.

All Beth Michaels wants for Christmas is a fresh start. A new job in a new city is her chance to finally break free from her overbearing yet well-meaning mother, not to mention her small-town notoriety as NHL superstar Ben Michaels’ little sister. But her dream of independence hits an unexpected snag when a housing mishap leaves her with no choice but to move in with Ben’s best friend and teammate, the broody (and gorgeous) Foster James.

As a top goalie, Foster has always been great at handling high-pressure decisions and sticking to the rules. But there is one rule he finds impossible to follow: don’t fall for your best friend’s sister. After years of being alone, resisting the sweet and funny Beth may be the toughest challenge he has ever faced.

The goal was to keep their relationship under wraps, but plans have a way of becoming tangled during the holidays.

O Goalie Night is a holiday hockey romcom. It’s the first novel in the Ottawa Otters standalone series.

NO COMPLAINTS.

I was dragged in by this cover and title. I COULD NOT RESIST. And the book was a great read too. Just the right book for the right moment. This is a low angst and tension, a little bit of insta-connection and allllll of the Christmas moments you could want. I loved the skating and tree decorating and many moments in between. Foster James is a walking green flag and I love that for Beth.

There’s not a lot to the plot (which is fine!!). It hit all the best notes for me in what I enjoy in a Christmas romance. I like it to feel simple but engaging and please bring all the swoon. I appreciated that the spice didn’t overwhelm the plot (though some of the innuendo did feel a little out of pocket). It’s fast paced and there’s plenty of hockey content to be able to say this is a sports romance too. I enjoyed the whole cast and look forward to continuing this series.

Overall audience notes:

Christmas Hockey Romance
Language: mild
Romance: 3 open door
Violence: low

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Book Review: This Dark Descent (This Dark Descent #1) by Kalyn Josephson

December 27, 2024November 19, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Author: Kalyn Josephson
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Release Date: September 26th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Shadows Between Us meets Six of Crows in this spellbinding new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, and pulse-pounding action, where the eldest daughter of a renowned family on the verge of ruin joins forces with a mysterious, rogue enchanter and a handsome, ambitious heir to win a deadly race.

Mikira Rusel’s family has long been famous for breeding enchanted horses, but their prestige is no match for their rising debts. To save her ranch, Mikira has only one option: she must win the Illinir, a treacherous horserace whose riders either finish maimed or murdered. Yet each year, competitors return, tempted by its alluring prize money and unparalleled prestige.

Mikira’s mission soon unites her with Arielle Kadar, an impressive yet illicit enchanter just beginning to come into her true power, and Damien Adair, a dashing young lord in the midst of a fierce succession battle. Both have hidden reasons of their own to help Mikira — as well as their own blood feuds to avenge…

Steeped in Jewish folklore, This Dark Descent is a pulse-pounding new fantasy full of forbidden magic, sizzling romance, and epic stakes. In a world as dangerous as this, will the need for vengeance butcher Mikira’s chances of winning the Illinir … or will another rider’s dagger?

WHOA.

Y’all, this was really dang good. I seem to love magical horse racing competition books and this was no different. I thought the pacing was great and I loved the world building and how the magic system operated and those reveals at the ending had me reeling.

I also loved the characters. Dual POV was awesome (I did struggle a little on the audio because both characters sounded very similar and sometimes I had a hard time remembering who’s POV I was in). And there were even two subtle romances which I am absolutely always here for. I liked how the relationships between this found family weren’t always linear and that things are complicated. I like seeing the ups and downs as everyone is holding a few cards to their chests full of secrets I can’t wait to see unveiled.

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy
Language: a little
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate-high
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, near death experiences, murder

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Book Review: Wind and Truth (The Stormlight Archive #5) by Brandon Sanderson

December 26, 2024December 18, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Epic Fantasy
Length: 1330 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: December 6th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The long-awaited explosive climax to the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive―the iconic epic fantasy masterpiece that has sold more than 10 million copies, from acclaimed bestselling author Brandon Sanderson.

Dalinar Kholin challenged the evil god Odium to a contest of champions with the future of Roshar on the line. The Knights Radiant have only ten days to prepare―and the sudden ascension of the crafty and ruthless Taravangian to take Odium’s place has thrown everything into disarray.

Desperate fighting continues simultaneously worldwide―Adolin in Azimir, Sigzil and Venli at the Shattered Plains, and Jasnah at Thaylen City. The former assassin, Szeth, must cleanse his homeland of Shinovar from the dark influence of the Unmade. He is accompanied by Kaladin, who faces a new battle helping Szeth fight his own demons . . . and who must do the same for the insane Herald of the Almighty, Ishar.

At the same time, Shallan, Renarin, and Rlain work to unravel the mystery behind the Unmade Ba-Ado-Mishram and her involvement in the enslavement of the singer race and in the ancient Knights Radiants killing their spren. And Dalinar and Navani seek an edge against Odium’s champion that can be found only in the Spiritual Realm, where memory and possibility combine in chaos. The fate of the entire Cosmere hangs in the balance.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT?

This was arguably my biggest release of 2024. I have been waiting YEARS to get my hands on this book and y’all. It delivered and MORE. AND MORE. I honestly don’t even know how to put all my thoughts into coherent sentences. I’ll keep it vague so if you happen to read this without having read Stormlight yet, you’ll be okay. BUT ALSO GO READ IT.

I loved how Sanderson handled every single character in this story. The arcs are MAGNIFICENT. They are empowering and gives you hope and faith in something greater. I am in love with every member of this cast and I loved the flashbacks we received for a certain character this time and how that journey brought them to where they are now.

There were a few moments I had surmised or theorized happening (that did happen!!) and even more I could not have seen coming. And even more so, things I wasn’t expecting but am so happy to see. I laughed and cried, raged at the skies and shouted STORMS a few hundred times. I hugged this book trying to hug these characters.

Every single moment of the 62 hours I spent with this audiobook (okay less because I was listening at a 2.85x speed) BUT ANYWAYS. The longest book I have ever read was one of the best books of my life.

I just can’t even believe we’re here. The end of the first arc. THE END OF AN ERA.

(I’m excited about Sanderson’s next books but I don’t know how we’re supposed to all wait 10 years for arc two).

Overall audience notes:

Epic fantasy
Language: low
Romance: closed door
Violence: high

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Book Review: A Sugar Creek Christmas (Sugar Creek #1) by Jenny B. Jones

December 25, 2024November 17, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 196 pages
Author: Jenny B. Jones
Publisher: Sweet Pea Productions
Release Date: December 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sometimes all love needs is a second chance.

 Morning television show darling Emma Sutton has just been fired. The only way to get her job back is to find a holiday story to warm the coldest heart. So when her hometown of Sugar Creek, Arkansas, needs a Christmas event planner, Emma moves back, sure her story lies in the town’s desire to become a tourist’s holiday wonderland. The plan is perfect—until Emma meets her new boss.

Charming, handsome Noah Kincaid isn’t just Sugar Creek’s newest mayor. He’s also Emma’s ex-fiancé. Ten years ago Emma left Noah her ring and a goodbye note, but it’s haunted her ever since. The last thing Noah wants to do is work with the woman who broke his heart, but Emma’s desperate to prove to him that her bah-humbug ways won’t interfere with her work.

Emma finds it’s more than the mistletoe drawing her back to Noah. Whatever they had is clearly not over, but Noah’s kisses can’t protect Emma from a past that won’t leave her alone. As the snow falls and the trees glisten, love will come to Sugar Creek. But will it come in time to make all of Emma’s Christmas dreams come true?

TOO FAST.

I know this was a short book, but things can still be well paced. And this one left me reeling with how quickly things were moving. I don’t feel like the relationship had the necessary communication it needed before they got back together. Emma LEFT and Noah welcomed her back so dang quickly.

There’s lots of holiday cheer and a few quirky grandma’s to boot. If you’re looking for something quick, that has a light faith vein and a second chance romance, maaaybe this is for you!

Overall audience notes: