Tag: Book Review

Book Review: Hearts of Steel (The Blackstone Legacy #3) by Elizabeth Camden

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Christian Historical Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Elizabeth Camden
Publisher: Bethany House Fiction
Release Date: January 17th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Maggie Molinaro survived a hardscrabble childhood in the downtrodden streets of Manhattan to become a successful businesswoman. After a decade of sacrifice, she now owns a celebrated ice cream company, but when she offends a corrupt banker, she unwittingly sets off a series of calamities that threaten to destroy her life’s work.

Liam Blackstone is a charismatic steel magnate committed to overhauling factory conditions for the steelworkers of America. Standing in his way is the same villain determined to ruin Maggie. What begins as a practical alliance to defeat a common enemy soon evolves into a romance between two wounded people determined to beat the odds.

A spiraling circle of treachery grows increasingly dangerous as Liam and Maggie risk their lives and fortune for the good of the city. It will require all their wit and ingenuity to navigate the dangerous waters ahead, but their crusade could cost them everything.

Thank you Bethany House Fiction for the gifted copy.

COMPASSIONATE.

First, I know this says it’s the third book in the series but I had zero problems reading this as a standalone!

The plot and setting were one of the best things about this book. I love unique historical dynamics that lead to me learning a lot of times that aren’t heavily discussed. I didn’t think ice (and ice cream) would create such an impactful story, but I love that I stand corrected about that. Filled with a powerful theme of doing the next right thing and showcasing compassion for those around you (and those who deserve it) were some of the highlights.

There’s a sweet romance woven on the sub-side of the major plot. I did like them together and thought that Maggie and Liam had good chemistry. The large gaps between their relationship left some space for the pacing to feel a little off as I had to wait for them to see each and other and communicate again too.

I did love that they worked together and tried to problem solve to the best of their abilities and what would benefit the entire area. I was really fascinated by the villain (who turned out to be based off someone real) and how these kind of business choices affect those who are working the hardest to provide a stable life for themselves.

It was a good read and I happened to listen on audio (and loved the narration!). I would easily be interested in more books by this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian Historical Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: extortion, bullying, infidelity (side character), near death experiences, chronic illness (stomach ulcers)

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ARC Book Review: A Match in the Making (The Matchmakers #1) by Jen Turano

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Jen Turano
Publisher: Bethany House Fiction
Release Date: February 21st, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America’s most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the company of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond annoying.

Walter is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children. What he wasn’t expecting was Miss Brinley, who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle.

The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.

USA Today bestselling author Jen Turano’s trademark wit, sweet romance, and hilarious mischief will keep you turning the pages of this lively Gilded Age tale.

Thank you to Bethany House Fiction for an ARC.

CHEEKY AND FUN.

This is the first book I’ve read by Turano and I overall really enjoyed it. I loved the light hearted vibes and how audacious the whole book is. There’s high levels of drama that are fun to lean into and it is wild how intense the match making business became.

I thought all of the different little scenes connected to a solid storyline. I loved how Gwendolyn took charge and reigned in everything that was happening. She was a likeable main character who at her heart wanted the best for those around her (even if they needed a firm talking to first). I adored the three kids. I know not everyone loves them in stories, but I thought they worked beautifully. They themselves were humorous and also in desperate need of true love and intention. They blossomed as much as the rest of the main characters and I loved seeing that transition.

Length wise, I do think it could have been a little shorter. I noticed a good handful of repetitive commentary within a few pages of each other that I didn’t need to hear over and over again. Besides that, it’s a sunny book, with a unique setting (for me, I’ve never read a Gilded Age matchmaking book!), and a cute romance that takes both Gwendolyn and Walter by surprise.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, loss of a spouse (from childbirth)

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Book Review: Pretending At Love (Greenbank Romances #2) by Karen Thornell

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 280 pages
Author: Karen Thornell
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: April 2nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A stalker, a Hawaiian wedding, and attraction that should NOT exist between friends.
Friends who are pretending to date, that is.

A random run-in at a restaurant brings high school friends April and Jackson back together. A not so random run-in with April’s new stalker starts a VERY short charade of Jackson pretending to be April’s boyfriend.

That is, until he needs a date to a destination wedding. And who can say no to a free Hawaiian vacation?

But when feelings beyond friendship start to develop, can these two separate the fake from the real? And if they can… Is it worth the risk?

OH SO SWEET.

I love romances like this. Where the fake dating trope is on top of its game and the couple is clearly starry eye for one another. Adding the Hawaiian vacation and wow do I wish I were somewhere tropical right now.

Dual POV in romance should be mandatory. I love the back and forth with April and Jackson. They had a plethora of sweet moments that showed off all of the chemistry they had. I liked all of the antics from horse back riding, to eating on the beach, meditation and more.

I don’t know quite why the stalker was involved? I don’t think it flowed as well because it came in at the beginning, then only randomly showed up in the middle and end *shrugs*. I guess it was a catalyst to get them to Hawaii together at least. I wish Jackson and April didn’t stand in there own way so much about officially committing to each other. That dragged the book out a little bit. I did like how everyone responded with positivity and didn’t blow things out of proportion. It was handled incredibly well and made the ending all the sweeter.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: stalker

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Book Review: Flashback (Keeper of the Lost Cities #7) by Shannon Messenger

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: MG/YA Fantasy
Length: 850 pages
Author: Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: November 6th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this unforgettable seventh book, Sophie must let the past and present blur together, because the deadliest secrets are always the ones that get erased.

Sophie Foster doesn’t know what—or whom—to believe. And in a game with this many players, the worst mistake can be focusing on the wrong threat.

But when the Neverseen prove that Sophie’s far more vulnerable than she ever imagined, she realizes it’s time to change the rules. Her powerful abilities can only protect her so far. To face down ruthless enemies, she must learn to fight.

Unfortunately, battle training can’t help a beloved friend who’s facing a whole different danger—where the only solution involves one of the biggest risks Sophie and her friends have ever taken. And the distraction might be exactly what the villains have been waiting for.

STILL LOVING THIS SERIES.

This is easily my favorite middle grade series. I’m seven books in and I have enjoyed everyone of them so much.

Though, Flashback did get off to a slow start. There was a lot of time spent on recover and healing from the end of the last book. And that’s fine! But 200 pages worth was a long time to get things going.

I have also found myself on the wrong side of the love triangle at present. I WILL continue to hold out hope right now that things will change! I do admit that there were some cute scenes with both of our main heroes though.

Sophie is still a wonderful main character. There’s some growing pains, but I feel that’s very expected reading a MG, young YA book. Messenger has written all of these characters in such a way that you feel their youth and the push and pulls of life that only get stronger as you grow up, WITHOUT making me feel like I want to roll my eyes and be annoyed at everything occurring. It’s amazing and continues to bring me back to this series.

I don’t want to say much more for fear of accidentally spoiling since this is a far into the series. I recommend giving these a try sometime!!

Overall audience notes:

  • MG/YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: cheek kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, battle scenes, physical altercations, loss of life, kidnapping

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