Tag: Book Review

Book Review: The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fantasy / Fiction
Length: 393 pages
Author: T.J. Klune
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: March 17th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he’s given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

SO SWEET.

I’ve seen this book compared to a warm hug, and I truly see that analogy. This book is such a feel good read.

This cast is absolutely precious. Linus has some really relatable life sentiments and I thought it was really unique to a lot of books I’ve read that this was an older narrator. Throw him in with a group of children with unique abilities and I was smitten. I adored all of the children. Each was unique, made me smile and laugh, want to fiercely hug and protect, and cheer on that they would get the better future they deserved.

Cerulean Sea is a naturally slow read. It’s not fast paced and full of action. Instead it moves through the lives of all involved and leaves you with a vast amount of quotable moments. You could easily highlight half this book.

I loved the progression of the novel and how the story progressed with Linus. Getting to see him find happiness and love. Seeing the children get to branch out from their home. It was all so sweet!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fiction / Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: Falling for Your Enemy (Love Cliches #6) by Emma St. Clair

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: Unknown pages
Author: Emma St. Clair
Publisher: Self-published
Release Date: July 21st, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

People who say keep your enemies closer never took a road trip with a guy who hated their guts.

A month ago, my identity as Dr. Love was a secret. A month ago, I thought I was getting engaged.

A month ago, I wasn’t stuck with the guy who hates me most in the world.;

Now… if I don’t make nice with my #1 hater, I might lose my book deal.

Without that, I’m not sure what I have left.

But when I’m forced on a publicity tour with everyone’s favorite guy, the guy who says I ruined his relationship, I didn’t know how low I could go.;

At every stop, I get roasted and he gets more revered.

You would think after a while, I would hate him too.

And you would be very, very wrong…

GREAT ENDING.

I’m so sad this series is over!! [Though low-key stoked to see what the author writes next].

I found this book beautifully chaotic (and this is a high compliment). Many antics that had me laughing and eyes widening because I couldn’t believe what hijinks were happening next. The road trip that went South fast, yet brought Sam and Rhys together was everything I could hope for.

The subtlety of the enemies to lovers dynamic worked great for these two. It wasn’t heavy on the enemies side. It definitely moved QUICK to lovers. But the way St. Clair portrayed their love story had me never second guessing the pace. It was a fantastic fast-paced romance where I was swooning right along with Sam’s friends at every turn (the pinky hold?! adorable).

It was so fun with all of the hotel changes, book tour nonsense, weddings, video chats, airplane rides, candy stops and much much more. Typing that all out I can’t believe how much happened. I love that the gang was all together and how magical to see all of the happy endings. Even better, there was an epic-logue where 40 years in the future we got to see everyone again. I love additions like this!!! I’m smitten for any epilogue I can get my hands on and this was no exception.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses/make-outs
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: assault, misogyny

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Book Review: A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday

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Rating: ☆☆☆ 1/2
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Jenny Holiday
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: October 13th, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Leo Ricci’s already handling all he can, between taking care of his little sister Gabby, driving a cab, and being the super of his apartment building in the Bronx. But when Gabby spots a “princess” in a gown outside of the UN trying to hail a cab, she begs her brother to stop and help. Before he knows it, he’s got a real-life damsel in distress in the backseat of his car. 

Princess Marie of Eldovia shouldn’t be hailing a cab, or even be out and about. But after her mother’s death, her father has plunged into a devastating depression and the fate of her small Alpine country has fallen on Marie’s shoulders. She’s taken aback by the gruff but devastatingly handsome driver who shows her more kindness than she’s seen in a long time. 

When Marie asks Leo to be her driver for the rest of her trip, he agrees, thinking he’ll squire a rich miss around for a while and make more money than he has in months. He doesn’t expect to like and start longing for the unpredictable Marie. And when he and Gabby end up in Eldovia for Christmas, he discovers the princess who is all wrong for him is also the woman who is his perfect match.

PRETTY CUTE.

I adored this on some levels, and others maybe not so much.

What I did love was the overall story. There was plenty of Hallmark vibes and I love a good princess story. There was a fun meet cute, and I felt the connection between Leo and Gabby immediately. I was surprised that even though this is a small timeline, that things didn’t feel forced between them. Not really insta-love or anything like that, a nice change!

The love scenes were out of place. It went from Hallmark to whoa whoa whoa steamy scenes, that were long and very open door. My general issue is when those scenes don’t match up with the vibe and tone of the rest of the novel.

Without that it was cute. Leo’s little sister Gabby and his friend Dani were wonderful additions. And y’all, there was a ball at the end. I’m a sucker for a good ball in a book and this was definitely hit the mark. Totally cheesy, totally perfect.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: a handful of very open door scenes
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved one(s)

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Book Review: I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Contemporary Romance
Length: 329 pages
Author: Mason Deaver
Publisher: Push
Release Date: May 14th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as nonbinary, they’re thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas, whom Ben has never even met. Struggling with an anxiety disorder compounded by their parents’ rejection, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their therapist and try to keep a low profile in a new school.

But Ben’s attempts to survive the last half of senior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan Allan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. As Ben and Nathan’s friendship grows, their feelings for each other begin to change, and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier new life.

At turns heartbreaking and joyous, I Wish You All the Best is both a celebration of life, friendship, and love, and a shining example of hope in the face of adversity.

GREAT READ.

I read this via audio (which had a great narrator and recommend if you’re interested in that format option!) and really enjoyed it. It’s one of those where afterwards you just realize, it was a notable book all around.

It felt incredibly important to read this story about Ben and how they chose to find their voice. There were many tough conversations and resonating ones throughout. I liked the therapy sessions, the reconnecting Ben was able to work through with their sister and the absolutely sweet romance between them and Nathan. Ben and Nathan just made me smile. Nathan was the right kind of counter balance for Ben and they really clicked from the beginning.

The scenes depicting anxiety and depression were raw and I sensed everything through the pages. It’s full of heartfelt desire for friendships and a true place to belong and Ben just wanting to understand and find themselves as a person. I felt like I learned a lot and I think it would be a great read for others looking to learn more about a non-binary experience.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: kisses
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: coming out scenes (some received well, others not), disownment from parents, misgendering, transmisia, homomisia, ableism, suicidal ideation, slut-shaming (side character), physical/emotional/verbal parental abuse, depression and anxiety (including on page depictions), underage alcohol consumption

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