Tag: audiobook

Book Review: Technically Yours by Denise Williams

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Denise Williams
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: December 5th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Seven years ago, he fell in love with a stranger he couldn’t have—today, she’s back in his life and the sparks between them threaten to set her career on fire.

Pearl Harris has learned the hard way to be careful in work and in love. When she is appointed acting director of OurCode, a nonprofit aimed at inspiring high schoolers to code, she has a chance to make lasting change for the organization, but a scandal has put their reputation at risk. Further complicating matters, Pearl didn’t expect the one man she hasn’t stopped thinking about in seven years to be the newest member of her board of directors.

Cord Matthews fell for Pearl when they met in an elevator seven years ago. She’s just his type: smart, capable, and makes him laugh, but when she broke his heart, he decided love wasn’t for him. After five years with no contact, their connection is immediate despite the many roadblocks in their way and Cord must consider breaking his ban on serious relationships. But going public with a romance between them might derail Pearl’s career and the progress she’s made at OurCode. 

Pearl and Cord both are hesitant to trust their feelings and take a risk as they grow closer, but it becomes impossible to keep ignoring the electricity between them. Cord is a skilled programmer, but a workplace romance might spell disaster for both of them, and love isn’t easily debugged.

NOT MY FAVORITE.

I kept wanting to love this book and then I kept struggling with the FMC. My biggest hold up is this idea that a woman can’t handle being in a relationship (that she wants to be in) AND have the career she want too. So when the inevitable third act breakup happens I get cranky. Are you truly not able to balance both things? It’s okay to be in love!

Cord was a golden retriever gem though. I loved his unwavering support and the fact that he was just gone for Pearl from the get go. I thought the flashback chapters did enhance the story and we got to see this fated side of their romance. Though I could have done without the benefits vibe for most of the book.

It’s a very quick read, there’s some good themes (and as mentioned, frustrating ones). Not my favorite book by this author, but I am hopeful about the next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 3-4 open door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mentions of pregnancy

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Book Review: Playing it Safe (Electra McDonnell #3) by Ashley Weaver

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Mystery
Length: 272 pages
Author: Ashley Weaver
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Release Date: May 9th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

As the Blitz continues to ravage London, Ellie McDonnell—formerly a safecracking thief, but currently determined to stay on the straight and narrow to help her country—is approached by British Intelligence officer Major Ramsey with a new assignment. She is to travel under an assumed identity to the port city of Sunderland and there await further instructions. In his usual infuriating way, the Major has left her task as vague and mysterious as possible.

Ellie, ever-ready to aid her country, heads north, her safecracking tools in tow. But before she can rendezvous with the major, she witnesses an unnatural death. A man falls dead in the street in front of her, with a note clutched in his hand. Ellie’s instincts tell her that the man’s death is connected in some way to her mission.

Soon, Ellie and the major are locked in a battle of wits and a race against time with an unknown and deadly adversary, and a case that leads them to a possible Nazi counterfeiting operation. With bombs dropping on the city and a would-be assassin shadowing their every move, it will take all of Ellie’s resourcefulness and Major Ramsey’s fortitude to unmask the spymaster and avert disastrous consequences—for England and for their own lives.

THE GASP I GUSPED.

Trying to run and listen to this audiobook during the action filled ending made it HARD TO BREATHE. These books are insanely well balanced. I love getting all the aspects, the romance, the mystery, the war, the family and friends. It’s all there and I continually feel like I get enough of it all to complete each book (though I wouldn’t mind more kissing!!).

I loved the new setting and how each time I feel intensely attached to Electra and her journey. The mystery always leaves me guessing and wondering what those final reveals will hold. I am not even a little bit tired of these stories and already have the next one downloaded. This series is criminally underrated.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Mystery
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: war themes (WW2), gun violence, loss of life, murder

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Book Review: A Modest Independence (Parish Orphans of Devon #2) by Mimi Matthews

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release Date: April 23rd, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He Needed Peace…

Solicitor Tom Finchley has spent his life using his devious intellect to solve the problems of others. As for his own problems, they’re nothing that a bit of calculated vengeance can’t remedy. But that’s all over now. He’s finally ready to put the past behind him and settle down to a quiet, uncomplicated life. If only he could find an equally uncomplicated woman.

She Wanted Adventure…

Former lady’s companion Jenny Holloway has just been given a modest independence. Now, all she wants is a bit of adventure. A chance to see the world and experience life far outside the restrictive limits of Victorian England. If she can discover the fate of the missing Earl of Castleton while she’s at it, so much the better.

From the gaslit streets of London to the lush tea gardens of colonial India, Jenny and Tom embark on an epic quest—and an equally epic romance. But even at the farthest edges of the British Empire, the past has a way of catching up with you…

SWOONY READ.

I enjoyed so much of this book. I liked all of the traveling aspects and seeing Jenny find her own sort of path in the world. Tom was GONE for her from the get-go and the way he looked after her made me weak.

The banter and soft teasing between them really lit their chemistry on fire. I loved their interactions and how much forced proximity was squeezed out of this adventure.

I struggled a bit with Jenny’s hard headedness during the third act, but I found the final moments super sweet and romantic. Another great read from Mimi Matthews. She is a wonderful comfort author for me.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historial Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: heated kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: colonialism, mentions of war, loss of loved ones, mentions of child abuse (recounted)

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Book Review: Five Gold Rings by Kristen Bailey

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 317 pages
Author: Kristen Bailey
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Release Date: October 30th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

What does Christmas look like to you? A tree rammed with homemade decorations, a mantelpiece weighed down with cards, Mum telling Dad not to put the chocolate wrappers back in the tin, a festive film on television…

It should definitely not look like a naked woman on her knees noshing off your boyfriend of three years in the shower.

It’s Christmas Eve eve, and the holidays are not off to a good start for, er, Eve.

After the surprise and shock of catching her boyfriend cheating, Eve – totally devastated – reacts by throwing the gifts she’s selflessly bought and wrapped for HIS family out of the window. But while doing so she discovers her own present from Chris under the Christmas tree: an engagement ring, bought at the jeweller’s where she works. What the jingle bells is going on? And what was he thinking?

Confused and with her Christmas plans in tatters, Eve rocks up at the jeweller’s for some tea and sympathy with her lovely employers, Mr and Mrs Caspar, who quietly put in a distress call to her colleague, Joe. Eve doesn’t know that Joe is secretly in love with her, but her bosses do, and they know he’s just the person Eve needs to comfort her in a crisis.

Joe gets the call while moonlighting as a buff butler at a Christmas-themed hen do and races across town to help console Eve. But as he learns about her heartbreak, the Caspars realise a crucial delivery has gone astray: five gold rings destined for Christmas proposals and weddings have been sent to the wrong address.

Can Eve and Joe retrieve the rings and get them to their rightful owners in time?

As they set off in Joe’s ancient mini – Joe still dressed as a sexy elf and Eve just a liiiittle bit tipsy – their adventure begins. With three proposals and two weddings to get to, it’s up to Eve and Joe to save Christmas.

An utterly hilarious novel for anyone looking for festive romance with all the feels. If you have a hot date with Love Actually every Christmas you will adore this gloriously funny and unmissable festive read.

HUMOROUS.

This was such a whacky plot idea that actually really worked in the holiday romance section. It’ll make you laugh and cringe, but ultimately enjoy the journey and all of the love that was found through returning those five rings.

The romance grew on me, but I wasn’t immediately sold. I think the timeline could have been stretched a little longer and I would have believed Eve’s turnaround a little more. Not to mention she was drunk for at least half the book and that was a little bit muddled for me too.

I loved the spirit of the season and the holiday moments. The ending was super sweet and it was just a enjoyable read. I’m glad I picked it up!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: kisses; innuendo throughout
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: catching your boyfriend cheating, alcohol consumption

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