Tag: Book Review

Book Review: The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Length: 372 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Dragonsteel
Release Date: April 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson meshes Jason Bourne and epic fantasy in this captivating adventure that throws an amnesiac wizard into time travel shenanigans—where his only hope of survival lies in recovering his missing memories.

A man awakes in a clearing in what appears to be medieval England with no memory of who he is, where he came from, or why he is there. Chased by a group from his own time, his sole hope for survival lies in regaining his missing memories, making allies among the locals, and perhaps even trusting in their superstitious boasts. His only help from the “real world” should have been a guidebook entitled The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, except his copy exploded during transit. The few fragments he managed to save provide clues to his situation, but can he figure them out in time to survive?

I HAD A GOOD TIME.

This book is definitely different than any other Sanderson book I’ve read before (and I have 15+ under my belt). But that’s also why I enjoyed it!! He wanted to write something unique and he did and I got a kick out of listening to his audiobook. This is also shorter than his usual too (the audio was 9 hours) so it’s all around a nice change of pace.

Our mystery man wakes up and has no idea what’s happening and I loved learning the world with him. Slowly uncovering clues and putting together the handbook and watching things unfold. I enjoyed the side characters and the general story. There’s some good quirky laughter moments and even a little sub-plot romance! I thought the leading man went through some good growth too. He really has to evaluate himself and the choices he’s made and I love deep character moments.

Everything may feel a little chaotic, though I found that to work in it’s favor. I’m just a Sanderson fan and liked getting something new from him.

Overall audience notes:

  • Sci-Fi / Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: cheating (main character’s ex), physical and weapons violence, loss of life, murder, grief and depression depiction, mentions of the pandemic, suicide ideation

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Book Review: Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 620 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: December 12th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The problem with secrets is that they’re too easy to keep collecting.

Luna Allen has done some things she would rather no one ever know about. She also knows that, if she could go back in time, she wouldn’t change a single thing.

With three sisters she loves, a job she (mostly) adores, and a family built up of friends she’s made over the years, Luna figures everything has worked out the way it was supposed to.

But when one of those secrets involves the man who signs her paycheck, she can’t find it in her to regret it. Despite the fact that he’s not the friendliest man in the world. Or the most patient.

Sometimes there are things you’re better off keeping to yourself.

CONFLICTED.

Okay so I feel like I want to rate this more specifically at somewhere around 3.75. The readability is still amazing. I don’t know what MZ puts in her books but the way I DEVOUR 600 pages is unreal. I love it. The excitement was there too. I wanted to keep going, I wanted to watch this love story unfold, buuuut there were some misses.

I’m one of those who can be picky about pet names. And with the age gap already in play, adding in baby girl as the name just didn’t do it for me. What I did love was the alpha possessiveness and jealousy that Ripley exhibited. I was in the mood for this kind of MMC and it did not disappoint. Every time he showed up you could see me going, YESSSSS! Here for it all. And the sweet ways he would take care of Luna?? Can’t handle. Give it all to me.

The plot has some intrigue and mystery that I liked. There was attention given to the slow unveiling of backgrounds and stories that brought Luna and Rip together. I enjoyed the car shop setting and love that it was a unique set-up compared to most romance books I’ve happened to have read.

Definitely not my favorite MZ book, but still insanely enjoyable and I’m glad to have picked it up. Can’t wait to continue my backlist reading!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: one open door (at end)
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: child abuse (recounted), physical altercations loss of a grandparent

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ALC Book Review: Glimmers of You (Lost & Found #3) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Romantic Suspense
Length: 330 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He hadn’t always just been my brother’s best friend. There was a time when he was mine, too. Until he disappeared from our small town when I needed him the most.

Now, Caden’s back. With his cocky smirk and infuriating nicknames. And I’m struggling to ignore his presence.

When my ex refuses to leave me alone, Caden steps in, suggesting that it will get my ex and Caden’s calculating father off both our backs if we just pretend to be madly in love.

There’s just one problem… Nothing I feel for Caden Shaw is fake—even when I thought I hated him. And there’s no denying how the touch of his lips sparks a flame I’ll never be able to extinguish.

As those pretend moments start to turn oh so real, someone’s watching. They’re not happy about Caden’s new role in my life. And they’ll do anything to rip me away from him—even burn us all to the ground.

Thank you to Catherine Cowles for an ALC and eARC.

ANOTHER WINNER.

I am back with another great review for Catherine Cowles Lost & Found series. Quick audiobook notes: I LOVE listening to these on audio!! The narrators do a fantastic job and I am always here for dual POV narration.

This book brought the suspense. I did not see many of these reveals coming! I had my eyes on certain characters, but once again, I was surprised by the final disclosure. I enjoy not trying to sleuth these out too much and savor the entire story as it comes.

I adored the relationship between Grae and Caden. The fake dating brought them together and the forced proximity brought the heat. I liked watching them find ways to reconnect and that Caden was able to apologize and work through some of his past trauma to find a place of healing with Grae. It’s sweet (and yes, a little spicy) and quick to fly through.

I am just a big time fan girl of Cowles books and can’t wait for the next two in this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic Suspense
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 3-4 open; moderate explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, arson, attempted murder, physical violence, stalker, losing a sister to cancer (recounted)

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ARC Book Review: The Art of Love and Lies by Rebecca Anderson

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 288 pages
Author: Rebecca Anderson
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: August 1st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A free-spirited artist teams up with a no-nonsense detective to capture a thief who has stolen a priceless Michelangelo painting

Manchester, England, 1857 

Rosanna Hawkins is one of Manchester’s finest artists, even though no one knows her name. She reproduces “parlor versions” of classic masterpieces with near-perfect precision, which her employer then sells to the emerging upper-middle class families of Manchester.

When the largest art exhibition ever to be held in Manchester opens, Rosanna attends, excited by the chance to sketch such famous works. When she meets the handsome Detective Martin Harrison, who is head of security for the exhibition, she is immediately intrigued by his charm, confidence, and canvas-worthy good looks. The two spend many a flirtatious afternoon exploring the exhibition hall, discussing art and sharing their secret hopes. Rosanna dreams of painting something original and meaningful, and Martin hopes to one day shed the shadow of his father’s notorious past.

The couple’s blossoming summer romance takes a strange turn when Rosanna recognizes her own works on display in the exhibition hall. Someone is stealing paintings and replacing them with her parlor version reproductions. When the evidence casts suspicion on her, Rosanna must convince Detective Harrison of her innocence and proposes a plan to capture the real art thief.

It is a daring race to catch the criminal before he disappears with the most priceless piece in the collection—Michelangelo’s Manchester Madonna. If Rosanna and Detective Harrison fail, not only will the painting be lost forever but so will their chance to rekindle their romance and paint their own happily ever after.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the ARC.

NEEDED MORE.

The premise of this sounded truly promising. The execution? A bit lacking.

I think I really got off on the wrong foot with the insta-love. It didn’t work for me and when I clocked the percentage of the first kiss I was rather surprised. Rosanna and Martin DID grow on me and I think the core of their relationship was sweet. I just needed more of a burn to get there with them.

All of the facets about painting and artwork were interesting. I thought it was kind of cool to learn about different painting techniques and how reproductions were created and used in this time period.

In the end I really to have more from the plot. There was nothing surprising or enchanting about it. While I did like the main characters and I do think they exhibited some growth from the beginning of the book the plot itself was lacking in definition.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief assault, physical altercations, theft

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