Tag: Book Review

Book Review: Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle #2) by Christopher Paolini

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 704 pages
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: August 23rd, 2005
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider. Ages 12+.

Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust.

Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle–one that might put Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .

MONTAGE.

This book felt like one really long movie montage where you see the main character, aka the chosen one, go from being horrible at everything to finally knowing how to wield a sword and fly a dragon and hey, Eragon even got a glow up.

I think I would have liked this less if I was physically/digitally reading it. The audiobook (at 3x) kept things moving well and got me to the plot progression moments I needed. I do like Eragon and can see the growth of his character and his relationship with Saphira.

The ending had some good reveals and that makes me curious for the next book!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: bad flirting
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes, loss of life

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ARC Book Review: A Groom of One’s Own (Appies Series) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Sports Romance
Length: 345 pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 1st, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He always dreamed of getting married–but for love, not to avoid deportation.

Eli Hopkins has it all–almost. A hockey career with the wildly popular Appies. Teammates who are like brothers. The only thing he’s missing is someone to share it all with. Oh–and correctly filed visa paperwork. Due to administrative error, Eli is about to lose everything. Unless he can find someone to marry him in the next thirty days. And he might have the perfect woman in mind. The only problem? He’d like to marry her for real, not simply for legal purposes. Now Eli faces the challenge of winning over a wife who thinks the marriage is in name only …

A Groom of One’s Own is a closed door marriage of convenience hockey romcom with heart and humor, sizzle but NO spice. Perfect for fans of sports romance who want a little less heat. This book connects to Just Don’t Fall & Absolutely Not in Love from the Sweater Weather series, but all books can be read as standalones.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

SO TENDER.

I love the way Emma St. Clair books make me feel. They are the right balance of heart and humor that make me smile and swoon. I love the kissing scenes and the characters and the way the plot works out with each story and this was no exception.

I adored Eli and Bailey. All the stars for getting dual POV. I loooved how Eli was the best kind of golden retriever MMC. Heart on his sleeve, big feelings and all the protectiveness. Good heavens I couldn’t get enough of him. And Bailey? Loved her too. I loved her shyness but willingness to be bold and open to her relationship and situation.

With just the right level of hockey content and omg a jersey moment, y’all know I LOVE JERSEY MOMENTS. And this whole group of hockey players/friends? AH I LOVE THEM ALL. The wedding scene was sweetest, softest moment and I’m still a melted puddle of those longing looks and heated kisses. And now I’m obsessing over many other scenes and y’all just need to read this one ASAP.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Sports Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents (past), grandmother with dementia (on page), mom with chronic illness (on page)

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Book Review: Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Urban Fantasy Retelling
Length: 297 pages
Author: S.C. Grayson
Publisher: City Owl Press
Release Date: January 26th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Most London socialites dream of marrying for love or status, but Contessa’s wedding is about justice—and revenge.

Nathanial Woodrow is known on the streets of London as the Beast, leader of the fearsome Lion gang who mark their victims with three slashes on their face. Since her mother was found dead with the signature slashes years ago, Contessa has wanted nothing more than to see her murderer brought to justice. However, the Beast has been impeccable at maintaining his façade as the high society Mr. Nathanial Woodrow, and nobody has been able to gather enough evidence to convict him. When the Beast unexpectedly asks Contessa’s father, the Chief of the Royal Police, for her hand in marriage, Contessa and her father hatch a plan to bring him down from the inside.

As Contessa enters the lion’s den in search of evidence to convict the Beast, she finds that not everything is as she once thought. Her father’s work, hunting down Talented that use their magic to rule the criminal underworld, is thrown into question with each glimpse of the kind-hearted man beneath the mask of a hardened gang leader. As Contessa navigates her search for justice, she finds herself questioning what side she’s really on, and why she finds herself drawn to a man she’s supposed to hate.

NOTHING NEW.

This book was honestly completely fine. But that’s also all I can really say about it. I have no raging issues to throw down nor do I have anything that I felt like was the best ever. So while it might be middle of the road for me it might be a better read for you.

It’s very easily a Beauty and the Beast retelling. A little too similar for me. Yet once again that was my thought about it, if you love a pretty true rundown this would be a great pick. I liked the characters and that Contessa confronted her own thoughts and feeling about Nate. She was open to changing her mind when she received new information and that’s something I appreciate with characters.

This is NOT a fantasy. I’d say urban fantasy or something akin to magical realism. It’s set in London and the magic system isn’t well explained but there do seem to be people with “talents” that help with random things? That was never full explained. I did like the London/Regency setting and time period.

The relationship is good overall too. The enemies to lovers isn’t full blown and they do take the time to get to know one another before forming ALL opinions. There was a nice ending that wrapped things up.

Overall audience notes:

  • Urban Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: one brief open door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: executions, physical altercations, kidnapping children, weapons violence

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ARC Book Review: Girl Meets Grump by Hailey Gardiner

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 270 pages
Author: Hailey Gardiner
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 26th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Trent Stewart is sick and tired of spending all his time dealing with the nagging guests who stay at the cabins of Wildwood. The only way he can finish his current build on the property, a tree house, is to bring on a manager. But Trent’s frustration only mounts as he discovers the new hire is someone he’s already met, a guest whose incessant questions and breezy personality had driven him mad during her stay.

Sydney Foster has recently returned home to Kitt’s Harbor after a stint in Europe working as a travel blogger. When she finds herself needing a steady job, managing the enchanting cabins at Wildwood feels like the perfect way to satisfy her wanderlust. Too bad the charming haven in the woods comes with a bear of a man who seems doggedly determined to bring out the worst in her.

In this opposites-attract, sweet romantic comedy, Trent and Sydney must join forces to turn the tide for Wildwood while stubbornly trying not to catch feelings for each other along the way.

Thank you to the author for the eARC.

OH HOW TENDER.

I adored this soft and gentle romance. Sometimes that is exactly what I’m after and this was a beautiful story. I loved the dichotomy between Sydney’s extrovert self and Trent’s introvert self. They gave each other space to be who they are, and also meeting each other and being open to new dynamics. It was the sweetest grump and sunshine.

Absolutely obsessed with the setting. I’m not a PNW girlie but boy did this make me want to try it out. I felt like I was there and I love that so much. And I loved all of the side characters too. They were subtle and just what this book needed to bring it all together.

A lovely romance. Hailey Gardiner deserves all the love for her romances y’all.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses

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