Tag: audiobook

Book Review: Haley and the Yeti (Love Tuscon #1) by Laura Langa

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 357 pages
Author: Laura Langa
Publisher: West East Publishing
Release Date: January 17th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Her grumpy neighbor wasn’t part of the plan.

After her soul-crushing breakup, Haley Kineman is stepping out of her comfort zone, moving to sunny Tucson, Arizona, and shooting for the stars—literally. When she’s not working as a phlebotomist, Haley’s striving to meet her celebrity crush who’s filming locally.

Haley has even enlisted her grumpy next-door neighbor—affectionately nicknamed Yeti—to help her get onto the movie set. With his long enviable locks, masculine beard, and alpine mountain physique, he’s an obvious choice for an ally.

All Yeti wants is to quietly develop software in his home office, but Haley throws his protective nature into overdrive after being injured in an incident. Then Yeti has no choice but to accompany Haley on her sight-seeing, thrift-shopping, iguana-saving adventures.

But Haley’s bright demeanor keeps messing with his head, making him consider things that aren’t possible. Because with Yeti’s damaging past, no woman would want him.

As their friendship deepens, Haley’s not sure if she should stick to her star-studded plan, or if a real love story is closer to home.

GOOD READ.

I was seeking a quick contemporary in the midst of reading a big fantasy and stumbled upon this! I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading Laura Langa’s next book.

This concept was kind of quirky, but it worked. The fact that the Yeti was called Yeti for most of this book made me chuckle. And I think it played well into his back story and the things he was working to over come. This had an insta connection vibe that I actually really liked and I could feel the growing chemistry between Haley and the Yeti.

I was a little confused by one the plot aspects with the famous guy? It seemed kind of random and I don’t know that it helped any of the story that much. I did appreciate that when a silly third act break-up could have happened that it was worked out in a much more natural manner.

It was a good read and I liked the audiobook a lot. Look forward to the next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: litttle
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: past verbally abusive/gaslighting relationship, past fire accident and trauma, donating blood

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Book Review: Threads That Bind (Threads That Bind #1) by Kika Hatzopoulou

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 352 pages
Author: Kika Hatzopoulou
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: May 30th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In a world where the children of the gods inherit their powers, a descendant of the Greek Fates must solve a series of impossible murders to save her sisters, her soulmate, and her city.

Descendants of the Fates are always born in threes: one to weave, one to draw, and one to cut the threads that connect people to the things they love and to life itself. The Ora sisters are no exception. Io, the youngest, uses her Fate-born abilities as a private investigator in the half-sunken city of Alante.

But her latest job leads her to a horrific discovery: somebody is abducting women, maiming their life-threads, and setting the resulting wraiths loose in the city to kill. To find the culprit, she must work alongside Edei Rhuna, the right hand of the infamous Mob Queen—and the boy with whom she shares a rare fate-thread linking them as soul mates before they’ve even met.

But the investigation turns personal when Io’s estranged oldest sister turns up on the arm of her best suspect. Amid unveiled secrets from her past and her growing feelings for Edei, Io must follow clues through the city’s darkest corners and unearth a conspiracy that involves some of the city’s most powerful players—before destruction comes to her own doorstep.

UNDERRATED.

I’m so glad this book was put on my radar because it was worth the read y’all. Absolutely loved the audiobook and can’t wait for the next book.

I loved the magic system and combination of meddling gods and powers. The thread idea was unique and I thought was well developed and explained throughout. I love how young adult this felt (in the best ways). One of those, this is why I love this genre, reads.

Io and Edei are a great match in chemistry and working together to solve the crime happening around them. There’s good betrayals and reveals and plenty of action to keep the pages turning. I liked the subtle romance, the sister relationships and other things throughout.

An easy book for me to recommend and say GO GET IT.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, loss of life, near death experiences, physical and magical altercations

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Book Review: Rhythm, Chord & Malykhin by Mariana Zapata

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 398 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 21st, 2015
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Twenty-six-year-old Gaby Barreto might be a lot of things (loyal, sarcastic, one of the guys and a pain in the butt depending on which family member you ask), but dumb isn’t one of them. When her twin brother invites her to go on tour as his band’s merch girl, she isn’t exactly screaming at the top of her lungs with joy.

With no job opportunities pounding on her door, an ex-boyfriend she would still like to castrate, and no end in sight to moving out of her parents’ house in Dallas… it would be dumb to say no to the chance of a lifetime. Two bands, three continents, one tour. Spending the next ninety-plus days with three beloved idiots and eight complete strangers shouldn’t be a big deal, right?

If only the singer of the headlining band didn’t have tattoos… a great personality… a fantastic body… and if he wasn’t so funny….

Let’s be real: Gaby never had a chance against Sacha Malykhin.

CHALLENGED.

I am trying to read through MZ’s backlist, and unfortunately realizing those aren’t hitting as well for me as her newer stuff. BUT, this book got progressively better and I didn’t mind reading it in the end.

I was turned off by the high level of crass and off-color jokes between the band. I’m sure it was trying to set the stage for how the group interacts and messes around with each other. Yet the found family vibes fell a bit flat with some of the commentary. They did take care of each other when it really counted though and I did appreciate that.

The romance hero was super different from previous books too (nothing bad, just a comment on it). Sacha is a CINNAMON ROLL. I adored how soft he was and how he and Gabby formed a friendship that blossomed into something more.

While the plot held a good forced proximity notion I think it also fell a bit flat. It was simply a band on tour. And then filler pages of random crap they did to continue the story. I do struggle to get on board with actor/musician based books and I think that became apparent here again too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: very strong and often
  • Romance: open door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: transmisia, sexism, slut-shaming

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Book Review: The Queen of the Dawn (Shadows and Crowns #5) by S.M. Gaither

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 640 pages
Author: S.M. Gaither
Publisher: Del Ray
Release Date: July 27th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

“The light cannot always overcome the dark. But it can rise to meet it.”

Against all odds, Casia Greythorne has survived battles with gods and monsters alike, and the most powerful crown in the Kethran Empire is now securely in her grasp. Yet a seemingly impossible task still looms: finding a way to rid her world of its darkest god so she actually has a future to rule over.

The path to sealing that god away has been revealed, but to follow it will mean venturing into a deadly and strange new realm, facing old fears and enemies, and deciphering ancient magic that raises more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, chaos continues to spread throughout the empires. Armies rise and fall. The bonds between allies begin to fray—and hope along with it. And with every bloody battle, the final cost of saving their world becomes clearer.

Dawn is coming, but will Casia and her friends survive to see the new day?

SATISFYING CONCLUSION.

I luckily caught that this was out early on audio and took immediate advantage of seeing how this series came to a close. And I enjoyed it!

I’ve always loved the relationship between Elander and Casia. They’re still one of my favs and there were many sweet moments and a few scenes I didn’t know I wanted and melted me into a puddle.

There’s PLENTY of action and battle scenes. Filled with a sense of what those meddling gods are going to do next. I liked most of this and thought certain character arcs ended where they needed to.

I feel like I was missing that last little connection to give a five star. Something was just holding me back. I still sincerely loved this series and recommend!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open; low/moderate explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: battle themes, loss of life, near death experiences

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