Book Review: The Blameless (The Blameless #1) by E.S. Christison

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 300 pages
Author: E.S. Christison
Publisher: Wildling Press
Release Date: July 7th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Briana, Princess of Predonia, has lived a happy and sheltered life. Then, in a single night, her kingdom is overthrown and centuries of peace are abruptly shattered. Fleeing for her life as her kingdom burns, Brie is rescued by Flinton, Derek, and Kove, three powerful protectors who pledge to teach her how to fight and use the powerful magic that has awakened within her. Brie finds sanctuary in the mountain stronghold of the Blameless, people who receive magical gifts from the gods after performing acts of unparalleled selflessness. Among them, Brie’s grieving heart slowly learns to live and laugh again. With the help of her new friends, she strives to master her growing powers so she can avenge her family, take back her place as the rightful heir to the throne, and free her people from the clutches of a tyrant. But can one girl change the tides against an evil that has conquered an entire kingdom?

Thank you to the author for sending me a gifted copy.

SOLID MIDDLE GRADE.

I know this isn’t my usual fantasy grade level, but I was sold on the idea and I think it is great for this age group. Keeping that in mind as I read led to a good reading experience and I’m excited for book two.

Briana, our lovely FMC, was wonderful. I loved that she acted and responded appropriately for her age group, but that it also didn’t bring on any annoyance. She’s going through a lot of growth and processing very hard things. I also loved that she wasn’t immediately good at everything, I liked seeing her learn new things and how to handle her power.

Her found family group was full of the kindest souls. I loved seeing them all together and enjoyed the lighter dynamics they brought to the table. There’s great father-like figures and friends Briana’s age that she’s able to connect with.

I enjoyed the plot and getting some snippets of the antagonists point of view to see inside his mindset too. There’s plenty of action and moments that keep those pages turning.

Overall audience notes:

  • Middle Grade Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: low-moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of family, small battle themes, weapons, physical and magical violence

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Book Review: Class Act (The Thornback Society #1) by Aspen Hadley

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 288 pages
Author: Aspen Hadley
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: July 18th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

It started out innocently enough . . .

Hailey Thomas is perfectly content living a quiet life as a second-grade teacher. She’s definitely not looking for a husband. But when one of her students can’t stop bragging about her single dad, she decides to do some sleuthing and what she finds turns her into a part-time internet stalker, complete with daydreams she can never admit to.

When the object of her research shows up at her school and accuses her of scheming with his eight year-old daughter, she vows to put an end to all of it and avoid him at all costs. Ford Whittaker may be a wealthy businessman and ridiculously handsome single dad, but he’s definitely not the man she’d imaged he was.

Only, avoiding Ford is becoming impossible thanks to her honorary uncle, her four best friends, and the daughter that actually is a schemer. Every week it’s something new, and the more they get thrown together, the more Hailey wonders if maybe she’d been a little bit lonelier than she realized.

And maybe Ford was too.

Class Act is a closed-door, sweet and swoony romance, with all the sizzle and no explicit content.

SWOONY.

I looooove a good swoony love interest and Ford hit all of those marks for me. I could not get enough of every single time he and Hailey were forced together (because forced proximity is one of the best tropes out there). There was fantastic relationship development. And the best part? NO THIRD ACT BREAK-UP. We’re all adult here folks.

My one eh thing is that I basically skipped over any of the (too long) scenes of Hailey talking to her friends. It was setting up for the future books and I think when that is written more subtly it comes across better. This was a bit much and made things drag out too long.

I adored Ford’s kids too. They were a nice charming touch. This book had me smiling and chuckling at some of the scenes and I always adore a book that can bring out those kind of feel good emotions. I look forward to more stories!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a spouse (off page, but recounted)

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Book Review: Love on Camera (The Wonder Boys #1) by Dana LeCheminant

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 324 pages
Author: Dana LeCheminant
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 15th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Madi doesn’t have time to date. Oliver has all the time in the world.

When wedding photographer Madi is challenged to find herself ten dates in three months, she turns to her older brother’s three best friends to be her stand-ins. It helps her win the challenge without having to deal with the stress of dating. What could go wrong?

Oliver hasn’t had much to do since selling his company, and helping Madi has given his life meaning again. But when she asks him to pose as her boyfriend—more than just a date here and there—he suddenly finds himself questioning his feelings toward the girl he always saw as a little sister. Feelings that would get him murdered by his best friend.

No one sees the real Oliver the way Madi does, and Madi has never been as comfortable around anyone as she is with Oliver. With the fake part of their relationship feeling less and less fake, they both have to decide if they’re brave enough to take that first step toward something real. Is a chance at love worth risking a lifetime of friendship?

Thank you to the author for a gifted audiobook.

THIS WAS CUTE.

This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it! I definitely want to try some more in this series.

As this was an audiobook I do have a few thoughts on narration: I loved the female narrator except for when she was actually voicing Madi. It came off like she was much younger (almost teen like) and it took me a long time to get used to it. The male narrator did a great job on their end though.

I thought Oliver and Madi were reallll cute together. I liked the slow burn friends to lovers and seeing the inner conflicts on both sides. Oliver works through a lot of loneliness and understanding his worth while Madi is finding her own footing too. There’s some sweet fake dating moments and I liked how the third act was handled.

A sweet story and a quick read to make you smile.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: workaholic parents

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Book Review: The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Kimberly Duffy
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: February 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In 1911, Mabel MacGinnis is Europe’s strongest woman and has performed beside her father in the Manzo Brothers Circus her entire life. But at his unexpected death, she loses everything she’s ever known and sets off in the company of acrobat Jake Cunningham for America in hope of finding the mother she’s just discovered is still alive.

Isabella Moreau, the nation’s most feted aerialist, has given everything to the circus. But age and injury now threaten her security, and Isabella, stalked by old fears, makes a choice that risks everything. When her daughter Mabel appears alongside the man who never wanted to see Isabella again, Isabella is forced to face the truth of where, and in what, she derives her worth.

In this evocative novel from Kimberly Duffy, the meaning of strength takes center stage as the lives of three circus performers become entangled beneath the glittering lights and flying trapeze of Madison Square Garden.

INCREDIBLE.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. It kept me completely entertained and I wanted nothing more than to continue picking it back up. I loved the setting and the storyline and all of the themes woven in.

Mabel was a wonderfully beautiful FMC. I loved the exploration of beauty and strength and what it means to work hard and find your home. I loved every side of her and seeing her growth throughout the book brought out all the feels. Alongside that, Mabel’s romance with Jake? LOVED IT. A perfectly angsty slow burn build of these two recognizing all of the feelings they had for one another. When that moment finally came together I was giddy. I love books like this.

Isabella’s post partum depression rep brought me to tears. The way it was portrayed in a time period that wasn’t as forgiving squeezed my heart. It felt raw and honest and I loved seeing her journey too. It wasn’t all sunshine and high places and I appreciated every facet of her point of view too.

The circus setting was really cool and I loved the way it was used for the characters deeper stories. The passion the performers had and the strength it took to find that balance in life. I loved every minute of this book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a father, brief assault, physical altercations, near death experiences, loss of a spouse (recounted), post partum depression and general depression depictions

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