Book Review: One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin

June 30, 2024June 24, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fiction + Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Laura Hankin
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: June 18th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A struggling writer is forced to walk down the aisle at her best friend’s wedding with the man who gave her book a very public one-star rating in this fresh romantic comedy from Laura Hankin.

Natalie and Rob couldn’t have less in common. Nat’s a messy artist, and Rob’s a rigid academic. The only thing they share is their devotion to their respective best friends—who just got engaged. Still, unexpected chemistry has Natalie cautiously optimistic about being maid of honor to Rob’s best man.

Until, minutes before the ceremony, Nat learns that Rob wrote a one-star review of her new novel, which has them both reeling: Nat from imposter syndrome, and Rob over the reason he needed to write it.

When the reception ends, these two opposites hope they’ll never meet again. But, as they slip from their twenties into their thirties, they’re forced together whenever their fast-track best friends celebrate another milestone. Through housewarmings and christenings, life-changing triumphs and failures, Natalie and Rob grapple with their own choices—and how your harshest critic can become your perfectly imperfect match.

Thank you to Berkley #BerkleyPartner for the gifted book.

I LOVED THIS.

I wasn’t expecting to love this and I’m oh so happy I did. I did know prior that this is not a ROMANCE, but a fiction story with a side of romance. With that set in my mind I could really enjoy Natalie’s journey. I actually liked the time jumps in this one. The story telling was fantastic and that I didn’t feel like we were slogging through details that had happened, but instead pushing the story forward. It kept things from dragging and I had a hard time putting my headphones down for this book.

And even though this wasn’t a romance, I still loved the slow burn between Natalie and Rob. They both have to grapple with a lot that life throws at them. I liked that this felt true to life without being overly dramatic or feeling like it was nonsense. I could understand the thoughts and feelings and it is a book with such readability that it was easy to fly through.

I loved Natalie’s path. The ups and downs. Making mistakes and righting wrongs. Holding tightly to friendships and realizing the love of her life was so close to her for so long. It was a beautiful story and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Overall audience notes:

Fiction + Romance
Language: low
Romance: fade to black
Content Warnings: cancer (side character), a parent develops dementia

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ARC Book Review: Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen

June 4, 2024May 31, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fiction + Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Jane L. Rosen
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: June 4th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A woman inherits a beach house, along with a series of weekend guests, while butting heads with the irritable (and irritatingly handsome) man next door, in this sparkling new escape from Jane L. Rosen.

When a Zoom disaster upends Addison Irwin’s decade-long career at a posh Manhattan advertising agency, things look bleak for the thirty-something mid-western transplant. But an unexpected inheritance from an aunt she barely remembers—a property on Fire Island, complete with guest house and artist’s studio—changes everything.

While debating whether to stay or sell, Addison learns that she’s also inherited her aunt’s list of eclectic guests, tying her to the island for seven summer weekends. Eager to convince Addison to keep the house rather than let a new buyer build a monstrosity in its place, the neighbors welcome her to their laid-back community. Well, all except the moody guy next door, who seems intent on glowering his way through life.

Steadfast in her path since college, Addison is determined not to let this detour on Fire Island throw her off track. But soon, between the revolving door of weekend visitors and the up-and-down relationship with her neighbor (and his adorable dog), she finds herself in unfamiliar territory. Should she try to pick up where she left off—or embrace entirely new possibilities?

Thank you to Berkley #BerkleyPartner and PRHAudio #PRHPartner for the gifted book and audiobook respectively.

WELL.

Audiobook notes: I loved the audiobook. I had no complaints and thought the narrator did a great job. Even if the book wasn’t my favorite, I’d recommend this format if you want try it!

I was pulled in by the gorgeous water color cover. This is definitely FICTION with a SIDE of romance. I wish I had my expectations a little bit more figured out before diving in.

There were some good themes though. I liked Addison getting a break from work that she didn’t know she needed and enjoying a slower pace in life. I loved the beach house setting and the quirky factor of a new someone showing up every weekend as Addison reconnected with her deceased Aunt.

I did like some of the romantic aspects. There was good banter and a nice slow burn. Something wasn’t clicking in the second half though and I wish there would have been a bit more development.

And the whole reason there was this big fight in Addison’s family felt more frustrating than anything. I was expecting something more grand and once I finally knew what happened it lacked the needed drama.

Overall audience notes:

Fiction + Romance
Language: moderate
Romance: 3-4+ brief open door

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Book Review: Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery #1) by Mia P. Manansala

May 25, 2024April 23, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Cozy Mystery
Length: 336 pages
Author: Mia P. Manansala
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The first book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and delectable dishes—one that might just be killer….

When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. She’s tasked with saving her Tita Rosie’s failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking aunties who shower her with love and judgment. But when a notoriously nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case.

With the cops treating her like she’s the one and only suspect, and the shady landlord looking to finally kick the Macapagal family out and resell the storefront, Lila’s left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Armed with the nosy auntie network, her barista best bud, and her trusted Dachshund, Longanisa, Lila takes on this tasty, twisted case and soon finds her own neck on the chopping block…

Thank you Berkley #BerkleyPartner #Berkley for the gifted copy.

IT WAS FINE.

I thought cozy mysteries were my jam, but maybe not right now? Or after reading the Aunties series I saw many similarities and this hardly felt new. I have no big feelings towards the book, nothing I outright disliked, I just felt even toned about it all. And the plot was repetitive.

I think many would like this as there are some funny comments and also very serious themes that balance off of each other. I thought the sweet romance was cute and I liked the friendships and close family connections too. There’s lot of delicious food that definitely made me hungry while listening.

I don’t have plans to continue the series though.

Overall audience notes:

Cozy Mystery
Language: low
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate
Trigger/Content Warnings: racism, domestic violence mentioned, drug abuse, police intimidation

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Book Review: A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell #8) by Deanna Raybourn

May 15, 2024April 24, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Mystery
Length: 336 pages
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Veronica must find and stop a devious killer when a group of old friends is targeted for death in this new adventure from the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

Veronica’s natural-historian beau, Stoker, has been away in Bavaria for months and their relationship is at an impasse. But when Veronica shows up before him with his brother, Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane, he is lured back home by an intriguing job offer: preparing an iguanodon for a very special dinner party.

Tiberius has received a cryptic message-along with the obituaries of two recently deceased members of his old group of friends, the Seven Sinners-that he too should get his affairs in order. Realizing he is in grave danger but not knowing why, he plans a reunion party for the remaining Sinners at his family estate to lure the killer out while Veronica and Stoker investigate.

As the guests arrive and settle in, the evening’s events turn deadly. More clues come to light, leading Veronica, Stoker, and Tiberius to uncover a shared past among the Sinners that has led to the fatal present. But the truth might be far more sinister than what they were prepared for.

A GOOD FAREWELL.

At least that’s the vibe I got from this one and I was happy with how things wrapped up. After struggling through books six and seven I felt like this really returned to some of my favorite aspects that I’ve enjoyed over the past 8 books.

I liked this mystery and that we got to see a lot of Stoker’s brother, Tiberius. I love the banter between the group and how intriguing this mystery was. The one set location was great and I had a good time listening to the story unfold.

The romance getting some more spotlight was nice too. I needed to see some good development and it was a good turn back to the original vibes I loved between Veronica and Stoker.

Overall audience notes: