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Book Review: The Paris Secret by Natasha Lester

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 496 pages
Author: Natasha Lester
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: September 15th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan comes an unforgettable historical novel about a secret collection of Dior gowns that ties back to the first female pilots of WWII and a heartbreaking story of love and sacrifice.

England, 1939: The Penrose sisters couldn’t be more different. Skye is a daring and brash pilot, and Liberty the one to defy her at every turn. Even if women aren’t allowed in the Royal Air Force, Skye is determined to help the war effort. She’s thrilled when it reunites her with her childhood soulmate, Nicholas. She’s less thrilled to learn Nicholas is now engaged to an enigmatic Frenchwoman named Margaux Jourdan.

Paris, 1947: Designer Christian Dior unveils his glamorous first collection to a world weary of war and grief. He names his debut fragrance Miss Dior in tribute to his beloved sister Catherine, who forged a friendship with Skye and Margaux through her work with the French Resistance.

Present Day: Fashion conservator Kat Jourdan discovers a priceless collection of Dior gowns in her grandmother’s vacant cottage. As she delves into the mystery of their origin, Kat begins to doubt everything she thought she knew about her beloved grandmother.

MY HEART. MY HEART. MY HEART.

I only pick up historical fiction books when I’m in the right *mood* for them. And hallelujah that I was in the mood for this book because IT WAS AN AMAZING STUNNING WORK OF ART.

Ohhhh how this tore at every aspect of my heart and soul. I loved the initial chapters of seeing these characters in their youth to growing up and fighting a war versus the worst kind of evil. The strength of these women has no limit and I was in tears plenty reading these encounters that happened for too many.

The push and pull and absolutely full of angsty romance was here too. Skye and Nicholas OWN ME. And when I say that ending made me sob? IT REALLY DID. It was worth it. Lester constructs an intense story with the push and pull of a life at war. I also loved Margaux. She was a clear unsung hero in this book. I liked that she started off on the fringes and then showed her true and honest side that had me all in my feels too.

There’s a lot of emotions at play as the raw reality of WW2 is described. I appreciated learning even more about this time period and the attention given to research. Looking up more information about Catherine Dior was amazing. I love that all of the fashion aspects were wrapped into this too. It was interesting to learn how Dior began creating his outfits and the role his sister played in that too.

Overall audience note:

  • Historical Fiction Romance
  • Language: some light
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: multiple aspects of WW2 concentration camps, loss of loved ones

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Book Review: Violet Made of Thorns (Violet Made of Thorns #1) by Gina Chen

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: NA Fantasy Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Gina Chen
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: July 26th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A darkly enchanting fantasy debut about a morally gray witch, a cursed prince, and a prophecy that ignites their fate-twisted destinies—perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and Serpent & Dove.

Violet is a prophet and a liar, influencing the royal court with her cleverly phrased—and not always true—divinations. Honesty is for suckers, like the oh-so-not charming Prince Cyrus, who plans to strip Violet of her official role once he’s crowned at the end of the summer—unless Violet does something about it.

But when the king asks her to falsely prophesy Cyrus’s love story for an upcoming ball, Violet awakens a dreaded curse, one that will end in either damnation or salvation for the kingdom—all depending on the prince’s choice of future bride. Violet faces her own choice: Seize an opportunity to gain control of her own destiny, no matter the cost, or give in to the ill-fated attraction that’s growing between her and Cyrus.

Violet’s wits may protect her in the cutthroat court, but they can’t change her fate. And as the boundary between hatred and love grows ever thinner with the prince, Violet must untangle a wicked web of deceit in order to save herself and the kingdom—or doom them all.

WHAT EVEN.

Uh, I had two friends personally let me know I needed to read this book and THEY WERE NOT WRONG. I don’t even know if I can put together a fully thought out review but I can say: READ IT.

The enemies to lovers leaping off the pages was absolutely stellar. This is what that animosity is supposed to feel like in this trope. And walking that fine line of love/hate was on full display.

Violet cracked me up. I found myself chuckling multiple times at some of one off lines and sarcasm. It was timed perfectly and I loved listening to the audiobook that gave me even more of a nuanced layer of these characters. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Violet and Cyrus. The push and pull between them was undeniably filled with chemistry.

I really liked the surrounding story too. I always enjoy a good curse theme and corrupted kings with a wild witch on the loose? Here for it. I had a hard time putting this book down and now need the second book ASAP.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: vague open door
  • Violence: med-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: animal attacks, physical, magical and weaponry altercations

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Book Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Sci-Fi
Length: 476 pages
Author: Andy Weir
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: May 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission–and if he fails, humanity and the Earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Alone on this tiny ship that’s been cobbled together by every government and space agency on the planet and hurled into the depths of space, it’s up to him to conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And thanks to an unexpected ally, he just might have a chance.

Part scientific mystery, part dazzling interstellar journey, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian–while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

ONE OF MY 2021 FAVORITES.

I can’t believe I had to have multiple people tell me to read this book before I did because OH MY GOSH I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

SO DANG MUCH.

READ IT.

And if you can get your hands on the audio book, HIGHLY recommend that avenue. The audio was one of the best I’ve ever listened to.

I’m trying to stay purposely pretty vague because it’s more fun going in blind on this one.

This book starts off wild and doesn’t let up. I loved moving back and forth between the present and the moments that Ryland started to remember what was happening. It’s intensely scientific and at times I felt smarter and dumber all in the same sentence, and I loved that.

Not to mention how much I loved the progression of the story and THAT ENDING. Apparently some didn’t love it? I couldn’t see it ending any other way for multiple reasons and thought it gave Ryland the right kind of conclusion. I felt even a little teary about it because it just clicked that well.

This book is laugh out loud funny. I couldn’t help myself with the laughter, it is spot on. I loved how this balanced out the heavy topics and things happening around Ryland. It was the perfect juxtaposition and wow I can’t give this book enough stars.

If I keep going I might spoil things, so trust me, if you got this far, READ THIS BOOK.

Overall audience notes:

  • Science Fiction
  • Language: some
  • Violence: small depictions of blood
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: discussion of suicide methods, apocalyptic scenarios, near death experiences

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ARC Book Review: A Very Merry Bromance (Bromance Book Club #5) by Lyssa Kay Adams

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Lyssa Kay Adams
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Release Date: November 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Tis the season for a Bromance Book Club matchmaking mission! This time, they’re pulling out the mistletoe for everyone’s favorite country music star, Colton, and his second chance at love.

Country music’s golden boy Colton Wheeler felt the most perfect harmony when he was with Gretchen Winthrop. But for her, it was a love him and leave him situation. A year later, Colton is struggling to push his music forward in a new direction. If it weren’t about to be the most magical time of year and the support of the Bromance Book Club, he’d be wallowing in self-pity.

It’s hard for immigration attorney Gretchen not to feel a little Scrooge-ish about the excess of Christmas when her clients are scrambling to afford their rent. So when her estranged, wealthy family reaches out with an offer that will allow her to better serve the community, she’s unable to say no. She just needs to convince Colton to be the new face of her family’s whiskey brand. No big deal…

Colton agrees to consider Gretchen’s offer in exchange for three dates before Christmas. With the help of the Bromance Book Club, Colton throws himself into the task of proving to her there’s a spark between them. But Gretchen and Colton will both need to overcome the ghosts of Christmas past to build a future together.

Thank you to PRHAudio for the gifted audiobook.

WISHING FOR MORE.

This is the first in the Bromance series that didn’t quite hit for me. And it’s a Christmas book?! I was hoping for a home run.

I did adore Colton. He was the perfect sunshine MMC and had me straight SWOONING. I loved many of his sentiments towards Gretchen and trying to help her see the greener side of the life she’s been through. The holiday vibe isn’t as heavy here, but is present enough for me to say it is good for the season.

My personality clash with Gretchen was the downfall. I struggled with some repetitive notions that constantly spiraled to the same basic story. I could understand why she was making those decisions but it got old and I got frustrated.

I did adore all of the cameos from the Book Club. I love how tight know and found family they all are with each other. It’s the kind of group I’d love to be apart of too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: open door; med-high explicit
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: emotionally absent parents, physical altercation, sibling abuse

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