Author: GoodeyReads

Book Review: A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Regency Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Sophie Irwin
Publisher: Pamela Dorman
Release Date: May 12th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A whip-smart debut that follows the adventures of an entirely unconventional heroine who throws herself into the London Season to find a wealthy husband. But the last thing she expects is to find love…

Kitty Talbot needs a fortune. Or rather, she needs a husband who has a fortune. Left with her father’s massive debts, she has only twelve weeks to save her family from ruin.

Kitty has never been one to back down from a challenge, so she leaves home and heads toward the most dangerous battleground in all of England: the London season.

Kitty may be neither accomplished nor especially genteel—but she is utterly single-minded; imbued with cunning and ingenuity, she knows that risk is just part of the game.

The only thing she doesn’t anticipate is Lord Radcliffe. The worldly Radcliffe sees Kitty for the mercenary fortune-hunter that she really is and is determined to scotch her plans at all costs, until their parrying takes a completely different turn…

This is a frothy pleasure, full of brilliant repartee and enticing wit—one that readers will find an irresistible delight.

SMITTEN.

Who knew an unlikable MC would win my heart? I loved Kitty. She was the perfect dose of irreverent and incredibly loyal to her family and helping them get out of a bad situation. The way she dove head first into tackling how to be fancy (is the best way I’m putting it) was full of wit and charm. I flew through this audiobook because it was such a delight to read.

I loved the our male lead too. Radcliffe could not care one whit what Kitty was up to as long as it didn’t involve his brother, until he realized HE CARED TOO MUCH. Snap, I love a book like that. I really appreciate the depth paid towards both of their backgrounds. I felt in touch with these characters and didn’t question reasonings behind decisions as each one fell in line with the plot.

The side characters were quirky and added a bit of punch to the tale. It was fun to see the dating scene of the season and the continual need to be absolutely perfect when in all actuality not a soul is even close. Lots of charming moments, plenty of balls and dinners. And don’t we all love an amazing confession of love at the end?! Gold.

Overall audience notes:

  • Regency Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: It Starts With Us (It Ends With Us #2) by Colleen Hoover

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Adult Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: October 18th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Before It Ends with Us, it started with Atlas. Colleen Hoover tells fan favorite Atlas’s side of the story and shares what comes next in this long-anticipated sequel to the “glorious and touching” (USA TODAY) #1 New York Times bestseller It Ends with Us.

Lily and her ex-husband, Ryle, have just settled into a civil coparenting rhythm when she suddenly bumps into her first love, Atlas, again. After nearly two years separated, she is elated that for once, time is on their side, and she immediately says yes when Atlas asks her on a date.

But her excitement is quickly hampered by the knowledge that, though they are no longer married, Ryle is still very much a part of her life—and Atlas Corrigan is the one man he will hate being in his ex-wife and daughter’s life.

Switching between the perspectives of Lily and Atlas, It Starts with Us picks up right where the epilogue for the “gripping, pulse-pounding” (Sarah Pekkanen, author of Perfect Neighbors) bestselling phenomenon It Ends with Us left off. Revealing more about Atlas’s past and following Lily as she embraces a second chance at true love while navigating a jealous ex-husband, it proves that “no one delivers an emotional read like Colleen Hoover” (Anna Todd, New York Times bestselling author).

EVERYTHING I WANTED.

I had no idea (since I didn’t read the synopsis) of what I was getting into when I binged this BUT I knew that I needed the story Atlas and Lily deserved. AND GOSH DANG IT HAPPENED.

I LOVE that they were the focus. The story was about them. Moving towards the place they’ve always wanted to be, together. My heart melted and I was a giddy mess every dang time Atlas was on page. One of the best heroes I’ve ever come across. The support, care, love, endearing nature, I LOVE HIM SO MUCH.

And I love the strength of Lily. Making hard decision after hard decision just trying to get to the best situation she could. These characters come across incredibly real and human and squeezes my heart all the more.

And the supportive friends?! Good heavens. Unsung heroes of this book too. I loved them all and the pivotal roles they played in creating a future worth fighting for.

IT WAS EVERYTHING I COULD HAVE HOPED FOR.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: multiple brief open
  • Violence: med
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: child abuse, homelessness, divorce/custody battles, domestic abuse, vandalism

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Queen (Fae Games #3) by Karen Lynch

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆ (3.5)
Audience: Urban Fantasy + Romance
Length: 428 pages
Author: Karen Lynch
Publisher: Tempest Press
Release Date: February 22nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Jesse recovered the missing ke’tain to keep her parents safe, but it came at a high price. In the weeks after her brush with death, she struggles to adapt to her new life, while burdened with the terrible secret she learned about her brother Caleb.

On her first visit to Faerie, Jesse faces new challenges and perils amid the splendor of the Unseelie court. Her relationship with Lukas grows stronger, but her happiness is overshadowed by a threat to both worlds. She might be the only one who can save them if she is willing to risk her own future to do it.

Together with an old friend, Jesse takes on the most dangerous job of her life. She discovers an inner strength she never knew she possessed; one she will need when she confronts her greatest enemy. Secrets are revealed and lives are changed forever. Jesse will make her last play, but will it be enough for her to survive the final showdown of this lethal game?

ENDED WELL.

Ah, I do hate feeling a bit let down by a series ender. This was good, but the second half was much better and I struggled to get there to even enjoy it all.

I love Jesse. I think she’s a brave and bold main character. Faithful to her family, strong in who she is (even when that’s changing) and able to make the difficult decisions. I loved her and Lukas together, BUT WHERE WAS HE. This feels like the romance component is supposed to be playing a stronger role and it never hit that mark for me. I hoarded every moment he was in a scene, and looked for him too often.

The plot was good, but slowwwww. The first half is spent with a lot of very nuanced day to day activities that weren’t apart of the previous two books. After there was more headway in solving some key issues in the plot, progression was at last made! Still felt a bit random, buuuut it worked. I think.

A final series thought, it was good. I haven’t read Lynch’s books in a few years and it was nice to read them again. There was plenty of good things to go around and I know some friends who love this story on a whole other level. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Urban fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, torture, physical altercations, poison, being drugged without consent, sexual harassment and assault, murder

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: The League of Gentlewomen Witches (Dangerous Damsels #2) by India Holton

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal/Historical/Fantasy Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: India Holton
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 15th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the teahouse…

Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say—although it must never be said—witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct, and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely unlike those reprobates in the Wisteria Society.

When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O’Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the world scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex’s not careful, he might just steal something else—such as Charlotte’s heart.

LAUGH INDUCING.

I love the eccentricities of this story. It’s a wild combination of genres, characters and themes and that’s what makes it so good!! I found myself laughing, leaning into the unique nature and having a good time.

My only small issue was how the relationship started. It leans more towards an enemies with benefits vibe, and I personally have a harder time with benefits books. BUT. I will say, Charlotte and Alex truly grew on me. They kept denying the fact that they were clearly in looooove and it made for some hilarious situations. I really liked them by the end and thought everything wrapped up well (I’m curious if there’s another book coming??).

Even though things go all over the place, the plot is a strong note throughout. I like that this was easy to follow so when the points of view switched up or flying houses intruded, I knew where things were ultimately going. A great read, and the audio book was wonderful!

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal / Historical / Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: vague open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, explosions, physical altercations, weaponry

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph