Tag: Book Review

Book Review: The Call of the Void (Shadows and Crowns #3) by S.M. Gaither

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy + Romance
Length: 504 pages
Author: S.M. Gaither
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: October 18th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

War is building. Blood is spilling. And the gods are not pleased.

Casia has survived her brother’s attempts to crush her and her growing army, but the battle for their empire is just beginning. Bitter and wounded, carrying the curse of a dark and dangerous upper-god, and desperate for more allies, she charges northward to seek the elves who once walked alongside the divine beings.

The elven Court of Moreth holds knowledge. Secrets. And power. The kind of power that could shift all of Casia’s wars in her favor. If she can survive the dangerous politics and treacherous magic of the elf-kind.

While these outer battles rage, so too do the ones within. Elander is losing what remained of his divinity. His court. His powers. His grasp on what he once was and what he once knew. But he’s determined to keep fighting, gathering his own ancient allies and working to aid Casia in her wars. He lost her once. He won’t do it again.

But his devotion to her may be the very thing that destroys him.

And when that destruction comes, it comes with a twist—one that could change their entire world.

ANOTHER GOOD READ.

I am just highly enjoying this series!! Such a hidden gem that I can’t get enough of.

I read this book rather than listened and I think that made a difference in my rating. I thought it was a bit slower off the bat and that not as much happened in the overall plot. I was hoping for a bit more political intrigue and action, but that didn’t happen until the late second half.

What I did get a lot of was the roooomance! And I loved it! The spice was definitely stepped up a bit (which wasn’t my full cup of tea, but it’s cool). I love the progression and depth Elander and Casia with each other. They work together and build each other up and I love a supportive relationship like that. It’s always unique to see a fully formed couple before the series is even half over.

I can’t wait for the next read! I adore this entire cast and all of the close friendships. There’s some good movement here and I am thoroughly enjoying every moment.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: three open door
  • Violence: strong blood/gore
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: physical and magical altercations, war themes and battles, near death experiences

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Book Review: The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott

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Rating: ☆☆
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 368 pages
Author: Lara Prescott
Publisher: Knopf
Release Date: September 17th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Secretaries turned spies, love and duty, and sacrifice—inspired by the true story of the CIA plot to infiltrate the hearts and minds of Soviet Russia, not with propaganda, but with the greatest love story of the twentieth century: Doctor Zhivago.

At the height of the Cold War, two secretaries are pulled out of the typing pool at the CIA and given the assignment of a lifetime. Their mission: to smuggle Doctor Zhivago out of the USSR, where no one dare publish it, and help Pasternak’s magnum opus make its way into print around the world. Glamorous and sophisticated Sally Forrester is a seasoned spy who has honed her gift for deceit all over the world–using her magnetism and charm to pry secrets out of powerful men. Irina is a complete novice, and under Sally’s tutelage quickly learns how to blend in, make drops, and invisibly ferry classified documents.

BORING.

Ohhhh my goodness.

When I pick up a historical fiction book I really enjoy learning about the time period or whatever aspect is being used for the historical portion. I had to look up so much more information after reading this book because I felt like I gained nothing.

Most of this book was focused on the external relationships of all of these characters. Who they were dating and why, etc. etc. So instead of learning about WHY this book was important to the CIA and the Cold War I learned about some typists and who they liked. I just didn’t care. If it truly pertained to everything else it would have been fine, but this is a rare case of me saying, it needed less romance. I would have loved more espionage and action.

I felt like I knew what was happening and had no idea all in the same breath. It was convoluted and I don’t want to drag this review out anymore. Big miss. Wasn’t worth the time.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fiction
  • Language: some
  • Romance: kisses to closed door scenes
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: racism, sexism, homophobia, rape (on page), sexual harassment, cheating, suicide and suicide ideation, loss of a parent, internment camp

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Book Review: Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein

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Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Fiction + Romance
Length: 323 pages
Author: Hannah Orenstein
Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: June 23rd, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The past seven years have been hard on Avery Abrams: After training her entire life to make the Olympic gymnastics team, a disastrous performance ended her athletic career for good. Her best friend and teammate, Jasmine, went on to become an Olympic champion, then committed the ultimate betrayal by marrying their emotionally abusive coach, Dimitri.

Now, reeling from a breakup with her football star boyfriend, Avery returns to her Massachusetts hometown, where new coach Ryan asks her to help him train a promising young gymnast with Olympic aspirations. Despite her misgivings and worries about the memories it will evoke, Avery agrees. Back in the gym, she’s surprised to find sparks flying with Ryan. But when a shocking scandal in the gymnastics world breaks, it has shattering effects not only for the sport but also for Avery and her old friend Jasmine. 

NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING.

The cute rom-com cover hides the fact that this a lot closer to women’s fiction (nothing against the genre, just now what I was expecting upon picking it up). When I was looking for a contemporary romance I found a bit more and it ended up being alright.

I really loved all of the gymnastics aspects. I think coming off of watching the Olympics recently really had me stoked for a book along the same lines. I liked learning more about training aspects, coaching and other pieces. From that world it dove deeper into the abuse and mistreatment of gymnastic athletes. That took over a good portion of the plot and didn’t always connect back to the main characters.

That lack of connection made the scenes where Avery and Ryan were together not mesh well. They didn’t have great chemistry, just kind of started dating, then not, then dating, then not. And it was wishy-washy nonsense for most of the book.

While it brought awareness to many important topics the addition of the romance actually didn’t fit in. I think it should have leaned one way or the other more and would have been a more solid story.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Fiction + Romance
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: kisses to little detailed open scene
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying

ARC Book Review: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Katherine Center
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: July 19th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She’s got his back.
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindgerten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka “bodyguard”), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker.

He’s got her heart.
Jack Stapleton’s a household name—captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, famous for, among other things, rising out of the waves in all manner of clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. But a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid.

They’ve got a secret.
When Jack’s mom gets sick, he comes home to the family’s Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover. Even though her ex, like a jerk, says no one will believe it.

What could possibly go wrong???
Hannah hardly believes it, herself. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. And there lies the heartbreak. Because it’s easy for Hannah to protect Jack. But protecting her own, long-neglected heart? That’s the hardest thing she’s ever done.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

LOVED THIS.

I love this author!! Another fantastic romance filled with heart, growth, and swoon heroes. I always look forward to Center’s books and this was no different. I adored the unique plot set-up and all that unfolded. A bodyguard and an actor?! Yes please.

I found myself laughing out loud so much. There’s something to the perfect dose of snark Hannah provides at key moments in her journey. She’s grappling with a lot and the touches of humor fit in well. I liked that alongside the laughter were deep conversations too. Handling the loss of a family member, substance abuse and more. This keeps the romance in the spotlight, but tackles other things life may hold too.

Hannah and Jack were SO SWEET. This was a slow burn romance with just a dash of forbidden. I loved the build and hope these two had. A beautiful friendship blossomed before deeper feelings were acknowledged and I loved all of the quiet moments between them!!!

A few of the small side plots seemed a bit random? Like the ex-boyfriend drama. It felt necessary for Hannah’s story originally, yet when it started popping up in other places I thought it was superfluous.

Besides that tiny tidbit, GREAT READ. Loved it. Can’t wait for more.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: make-outs
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, gun violence, mother with cancer, loss of a mom due to substance abuse, car wreck, substance abuse (specifically alcohol), suicide ideation (and near attempt), physical altercations

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