Tag: Book Review

Book Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Sci-Fi
Length: 476 pages
Author: Andy Weir
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: May 4th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission–and if he fails, humanity and the Earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Alone on this tiny ship that’s been cobbled together by every government and space agency on the planet and hurled into the depths of space, it’s up to him to conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And thanks to an unexpected ally, he just might have a chance.

Part scientific mystery, part dazzling interstellar journey, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian–while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

ONE OF MY 2021 FAVORITES.

I can’t believe I had to have multiple people tell me to read this book before I did because OH MY GOSH I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

SO DANG MUCH.

READ IT.

And if you can get your hands on the audio book, HIGHLY recommend that avenue. The audio was one of the best I’ve ever listened to.

I’m trying to stay purposely pretty vague because it’s more fun going in blind on this one.

This book starts off wild and doesn’t let up. I loved moving back and forth between the present and the moments that Ryland started to remember what was happening. It’s intensely scientific and at times I felt smarter and dumber all in the same sentence, and I loved that.

Not to mention how much I loved the progression of the story and THAT ENDING. Apparently some didn’t love it? I couldn’t see it ending any other way for multiple reasons and thought it gave Ryland the right kind of conclusion. I felt even a little teary about it because it just clicked that well.

This book is laugh out loud funny. I couldn’t help myself with the laughter, it is spot on. I loved how this balanced out the heavy topics and things happening around Ryland. It was the perfect juxtaposition and wow I can’t give this book enough stars.

If I keep going I might spoil things, so trust me, if you got this far, READ THIS BOOK.

Overall audience notes:

  • Science Fiction
  • Language: some
  • Violence: small depictions of blood
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: discussion of suicide methods, apocalyptic scenarios, near death experiences

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ARC Book Review: A Very Merry Bromance (Bromance Book Club #5) by Lyssa Kay Adams

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Lyssa Kay Adams
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Release Date: November 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Tis the season for a Bromance Book Club matchmaking mission! This time, they’re pulling out the mistletoe for everyone’s favorite country music star, Colton, and his second chance at love.

Country music’s golden boy Colton Wheeler felt the most perfect harmony when he was with Gretchen Winthrop. But for her, it was a love him and leave him situation. A year later, Colton is struggling to push his music forward in a new direction. If it weren’t about to be the most magical time of year and the support of the Bromance Book Club, he’d be wallowing in self-pity.

It’s hard for immigration attorney Gretchen not to feel a little Scrooge-ish about the excess of Christmas when her clients are scrambling to afford their rent. So when her estranged, wealthy family reaches out with an offer that will allow her to better serve the community, she’s unable to say no. She just needs to convince Colton to be the new face of her family’s whiskey brand. No big deal…

Colton agrees to consider Gretchen’s offer in exchange for three dates before Christmas. With the help of the Bromance Book Club, Colton throws himself into the task of proving to her there’s a spark between them. But Gretchen and Colton will both need to overcome the ghosts of Christmas past to build a future together.

Thank you to PRHAudio for the gifted audiobook.

WISHING FOR MORE.

This is the first in the Bromance series that didn’t quite hit for me. And it’s a Christmas book?! I was hoping for a home run.

I did adore Colton. He was the perfect sunshine MMC and had me straight SWOONING. I loved many of his sentiments towards Gretchen and trying to help her see the greener side of the life she’s been through. The holiday vibe isn’t as heavy here, but is present enough for me to say it is good for the season.

My personality clash with Gretchen was the downfall. I struggled with some repetitive notions that constantly spiraled to the same basic story. I could understand why she was making those decisions but it got old and I got frustrated.

I did adore all of the cameos from the Book Club. I love how tight know and found family they all are with each other. It’s the kind of group I’d love to be apart of too.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: open door; med-high explicit
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: emotionally absent parents, physical altercation, sibling abuse

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Book Review: These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows #2) by Lexi Ryan

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy Romance
Length: 496 pages
Author: Lexi Ryan
Publisher: Clarion Books
Release Date: July 19th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Brie finds herself caught between two princes and two destinies while the future of the fae realm hangs in the balance.

After Abriella’s sister was sold to the fae, she thought life couldn’t get any worse. But when she suddenly finds herself caught in a web of lies of her own making ­- loving two princes and trusting neither – things are not quite as clear as she once thought.

As civil war wages in the Court of Darkness, Brie finds herself unable to choose a side. How can she know where she stands when she doesn’t even know herself anymore? In this darkly romantic thrill ride, the more Faerie is torn apart from the inside, the clearer it becomes that prophecies don’t lie and Brie has a role to play in the fate of this magical realm – whether she likes it or not.

OHHHHHHHMYGOSH.

Hands down. One of the best duologies I have ever read. EVER.

I will do my best to maintain vagueness about how this all ends up.

OKAY SO. I LOVED THE ENDING. It gave me everything I was hoping for and more. Sebastian got this really solid story line that fit perfectly for him in this scenario. Bri got the story she deserved with her history unleashing all sorts of chaos (in the best way). I loved how she approached new things before her and also went after what she wanted most. Finn is my favorite (no surprise) and I loooove having him along for this ride. ALL GOOD THINGS.

I can’t tell y’all the amount of emotions I went through while reading. It was up, down, all around. Mostly a lot of ANGST. And begging the bookish universe to give me what I wanted. As soon as I saw those moments happening, the giddiness would not subside. Gahhhhh I LOVED IT.

This has been incredibly difficult not to breakdown every nuanced aspect of why this series is amazing.

SO PLEASE READ IT THEN I’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: brief open door
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, loss of life, physical and magical altercations, weaponry

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ARC Book Review: Faking Christmas (Christmas Escape #3) by Cindy Steel

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Cindy Steel
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 2nd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

One little white lie.

That’s all it took. Now I’m suddenly having to fake-date my work nemesis to get me through a week at a Vermont Christmas lodge with my family.

The problem? I can’t stand Miles Taylor. Not only that, but I don’t date people I work with. But I can handle it. I’ve had practice faking my emotions for years. So it shouldn’t matter that Miles never lets me get away with anything. And that he happens to boil my blood hotter than a steaming pot of wassail. So when he throws his annoying grin my way or forces me on dates he knows I’ll hate, I’ll just grit my teeth and smile.

Or maybe not. Did I mention that Miles is the one person in the world I can’t seem to fool?

When my emotions begin feeling less like a sham and his arms feel way too comfortable, it makes me think that maybe Miles had a plan of his own. And I’m starting to like it a lot more than mine.

★ Faking Christmas is a sweet, closed door romance full of sizzle, witty banter, and chemistry, but without explicit content.

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

NEW CHRISTMAS ROMANCE FAVORITE.

I am a flat puddle of emotions over this book. It is a new favorite and I want to read it every Christmas now. I AM IN MY FEELS. I don’t think I’ll be able to accurately convey how much I adored it so please GO READ IT.

ALL OF THE KISSING. There was so much and I loved every single moment. Ohhhmygosh Cindy Steel knows how to bring the heat without bringing the spice and it is impeccable. Miles and Olive were perfect for each other. It was always you is strong in this book.

The flirting and banter was flawless. I loved that Miles was relentless and so dang kind is in his pursuit of the fake dating scheme. All of the Christmas activities were wonderful and I now would like to plan an immediate trip to Vermont for the winter break.

There was a natural flow to everything happening and the third act was handled AMAZINGLY. It was charming and had me just as giddy as Miles and Olive.

I also loved the discussions about grief and valid emotions. Everything was handled beautifully and I got misty eyed with the impact of the story.

I am in bookish heaven over this book y’all. It is a MUST read for anyone needed something to bring them joy this holiday season.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: depictions of grief, loss of a girlfriend (recounted), loss of a parent (from cancer, recounted), snowmobile crash

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