Author: GoodeyReads

Book Review: Will They or Won’t They by Ava Wilder

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Ava Wilder
Publisher: Dell
Release Date: June 27th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

On screen, they’re in love. Off screen, they can’t stand each other. Two co-stars with a complex history reunite to film the final season of a beloved paranormal drama in this tension-filled will they won’t they romance from the author of How to Fake It in Hollywood.

Lilah Hunter and Shane McCarthy are madly in love— at least, their characters are. As the stars of the hit paranormal TV show Intangible, they spent years pining for each other on-screen… until Lilah ditched the show at the end of season five in hopes of becoming a film star. With no such luck, she’s back to film the much-hyped ninth and final season, in which their characters will get together at last.

But coming back means facing one of the biggest reasons she left: Shane. Ever since their secret behind-the-scenes fling imploded at the end of the first season, the two of them have despised each other.

Now back on set together for the first time in years, with the world’s eyes on them and their post-show careers on the line, they’ll have to grit their teeth and play nice. But under pressure to give Intangible’s fans the happy ending they’ve been waiting for, Lilah and Shane are forced to get closer than ever. And if they’re not careful, they just might get blindsided by one final twist: a real-life happy ending of their own.

LIKED IT.

I was up and down and all around on how I felt about this book. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Hollywood romances are a hard sell, but I enjoyed Wilder’s last book and wanted to give this a go.

For second chance romance I thought it was a good execution. I liked that therapy was a part of working through things and there were some choice forced proximity moments to remind Lilah and Shane just how much of a connection they still have. I really liked both characters. Even with flaws and mistakes, the relationship and growth felt true.

I absolutely loved the audiobook and dual narration. And I will keep my eye out for Wilder’s next book! If you enjoy Hollywood/Actor romances, definitely give this one a try!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3 open door; med-high explicit
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: anxiety, brief mentions of drug use

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ALC Book Review: Ghostsmith (House of the Dead #2) by Nicki Pau Preto

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 448 pages
Author: Nicki Pau Preto
Publisher: McElderry Books
Release Date: August 13th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this action-packed finale to the House of the Dead Duology, Wren and her friends put everything they know to the test as they battle the living and the undead to save their world.

Wren is still reeling from the revelation that the mother she thought was dead is actually the Corpse Queen, a ghostsmith with the terrifying power to control the undead. It was Wren’s own mother who created the iron revenants—an army of near unbeatable undead soldiers. When the iron revenants attack, no one in the Dominions will have the strength to stand in their way.

Now Wren, Leo, and Julian find themselves once more in the Breach, this time on the run from Wren’s father, who is determined to secure more power for himself and the House of Bone. The three are desperate to stop the upcoming war, but working together is easier said than done with Julian still furious about Wren double-crossing him. And to make matters worse, Wren is plagued by powerful new abilities that force her to reassess everything she knows about being a bonesmith.

When Wren’s long-lost twin brother shows up and vows to help her destroy the well of magic that feeds the iron revenants, she must decide if trusting him is worth potentially playing right into their mother’s hands.

After all, the dead might be dangerous, but it’s the living who can betray you.

Thank you to Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook.

YES.

I will not stop shouting about how much love Nicki Pau Preto deserves. Her fantasy books are criminally underrated and I need y’all to READ THEM ALL.

This was an epic conclusion that brought everything I needed (though I secretly wish for more kissing but I promise it is still worth the read!!). I love this found family. It was such a great cast of characters. The multi-POV did a fantastic job of giving all the angles to the plot and I loved reading each one of them. There is not a weak link.

I love how high action Ghostsmith was. Every time I tried to take a breath, BAM. More chaos. I loved it. I loved the final battle scenes and the betrayals and watching all of the last pieces come together. The intensity of reading this had me wanting to pick up to find out what would happen next.

I adore Wren and Julian. Both amazing characters that stand so well on their own, but the sub-plot romance between them is beautiful too. I loved seeing them trust again and work together and being able to have those soft moments too.

The audiobook is WONDERFUL. Highly recommend. The narrator did an amazing job and it’s such an easy listen.

GOSH I LOVED THIS. READ IT OKAY.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: a little scattered throughout
  • Romance: one closed door
  • Violence: high

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Rachel Fordham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: August 13th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Beauty and the Beast meets A Light Between Oceans in historic small-town America where a wealthy reclusive bachelor and an unlikely ally join forces to solve a family secret and inadvertently find belonging along the way.

Early 1900s. When an accident leaves Sadie West’s family in dire financial need, she nervously leaves the land she loves to work in the Hoag duster factory. But sending all her money home means that she has nowhere to board, and she’s forced to take up residence in an abandoned building–a choice that throws her in the path of the town’s mysterious bachelor.

Recently returned from exile, and determined to keep his arrival a secret, Otis Taylor makes the impulsive decision to hire the woman he finds hiding on his family’s property with the strict instructions she tell no one he has returned. The dark halls of his boyhood flood him with memories he’s long tried to forget. The only bright light is the woman he has hired. Can the optimistic Sadie teach the wounded Otis to trust again? To love? Can the pair unravel the family secrets that have long cast a shadow over the mansion and those who reside within?

With the same heart as Rachel Fordham’s fan-loved previous historical novels, Beyond Ivy Walls takes readers on an emotional journey full of character development, historical nuance, and a deeply satisfying happily ever after.

Thank you to Austen Prose and Thomas Nelson for the gifted copy.

MISSING SOMETHING.

I adored the first book in this series so much I jumped at the chance to receive a copy of book two (these can be read as standalones with no issues!!). But then I feel like I struggled way more than I hoped for getting through it.

The Beauty and the Beast vibes were definitely woven into the story. I could see the nods to the original and how it was adapted for a historical romance setting. I loved the unique set up for the FMC and how she came to meet the MMC. They had some sweet moments throughout and there’s good themes too. I enjoyed the small faith elements too. The side characters were charming and added to the story too.

I had issues with the aura and writing style of the book. And it’s hard to explain but it came across as if it was written as if the main cast were younger characters and not fully grown adults. I had a disconnect and struggled to stay engaged reading.

The audiobook was fantastic though. I love having two narrators for both the male and female leads. I thought they did a great job and if you want to try this book, absolutely recommend this format.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisse
  • Content Warnings: child abandonment and abuse

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ALC Book Review: The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Emma Lord
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: August 13th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two best friends who haven’t spoken in ten years pretend to date after break-ups with their respective exes go viral, in this delightfully fun and deeply emotional novel.

June and Levi were best friends as teenagers—until the day they weren’t. Now June is struggling to make rent on her beachside tea shop, Levi is living a New York cliché as a disillusioned hedge fund manager and failed novelist, and they’ve barely spoken in years.

But after they both experience public, humiliating break-ups with their exes that spread like wildfire across TikTok rabbit holes and daytime talk shows alike, they accidentally make some juicy gossip of their own—a photo of them together has the internet convinced they’re a couple. With so many people rooting for them, they decide to put aside their rocky past and make a pact to fuel the fire. Pretending to date will help June’s shop get back on its feet and make Levi’s ex realize that she made a mistake. All they have to do is convince the world they’re in love, one swoon-worthy photo opp at a time.

Two viral break-ups. One fake relationship. Five sparkling, heart-pounding dates. June and Levi can definitely pull this off without their hearts getting involved. Because everyone knows fake dating doesn’t come with real feelings. Right?

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook.

THIS PAINS ME.

I am a mega fan of Lord’s YA books. I have loved them all. And this first adult romance really missed some marks for me. I went in with respectable hopes and am sitting in a middle ground of feelings.

The idea was clever, but the execution seemed like it was trying too hard. Or maybe that the focus was in the wrong direction? Often there was a lot of grief depiction and discussion and that kind of took over from the romance. I did like some of the soft moments between Levi and June. Yet, I’m not sure that I believe they make it after the book, ya know?

The social media/Tiktok focus also didn’t have my attention. I struggle to connect with books with such a media centered ideal and attempt to be relevant. I did like June’s best friend a lot. And all of the scone content was great. You’ll probably find me baking some first thing tomorrow.

All of the ex drama took away the focus from the romance too. I could not fathom Levi’s thinking with his previous relationship. And with June, her ex just showing up at random times to stir chaos got old.

I’ll still read Emma Lord’s books because I’m hopeful there will be more gems again.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 1 open door
  • Content Warnings: loss of a sister (aneurism), grief depiction, cheating (June and Levi’s exes)

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph