Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: February 2023

March 1, 2023February 27, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

I’ve been focusing hard this year to try to pick books (and accepts ARCs) I legitimately think I will enjoy. Out of 80+ books, I’ve only had TWO two stars. And that to me is really impressive. I’ve also been doing a lot of rereading and I’m here for that era too.

FAVORITES OF THE MONTH:

First to Fall
A Game of Hearts
Final Offer
Into the Churn
All Rhodes Lead Here
A Waltz with Traitors
Edenbrooke
Wing and a Miss
Exes and O’s
The Bluff
The Work of Art
A Dawn of Onyx
Sensibly Wed
Running Barefoot
Royal Gone Rogue

LEAST FAVORITES OF THE MONTH:

Falling Hard for the Royal Guard

First to Fall (Lost Story Bookshop #2) by Jenny B. Jones
[Reread/ALC] Game of Hearts by Joanna Barker
Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires #3) by Lauren Asher
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
[ARC] Into the Churn by Hayley Reese Chow
Well of Eida (The Fallen Kingdoms #1) by KB Benson
[Reread] All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
The Curse of Ophelia (The Curse of Ophelia #1) by Nicole Platania
Lord of Chaos (The Wheel of Time #6) by Robert Jordan
My Phony Valentine (Holidays With Hart #1) by Courtney Walsh
The Shattered City (The Last Magician #4) by Lisa Maxwell
[ARC] A Waltz with Traitors by A.L. Sowards
[Reread] Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
Wing and a Miss (Deadlights Cove #3) by B. Perkins and Aimee Vance
Spice Road (The Spice Road Trilogy #1) by Maiya Ibrahim
[Novella] Mysteries of Thorn Manor (Sorcery of Thorns #1.5) by Margaret Rogerson
[Reread] Exes and O’s (The Influencer #2) by Amy Lea
[Gifted] Lovely Dark and Deep (Fallow Creek #1) by Claudia Cain
[Reread/ALC] The Bluff (Graham Brothers #2) by Emma St. Clair
These Infinite Threads (This Woven Kingdom #2) by Tahereh Mafi
[ARC] Happy Place by Emily Henry
Spare by Prince Harry
[Gifted] Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes
[ARC] Falling Hard for the Royal Guard by Megan Clawson
[Novella] Coming Home by Kennedy Ryan
Blood & Steel (The Legends of Thezmarr #1) by Helen Scheuerer
The Work of Art (Somerset Stories #1) by Mimi Matthews
A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones #1) by Kate Golden
In Spotlight and Shadow (Doors to the Past #11) by Rachel Scott McDaniel
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (The Unselected Journals #1) by Beth Brower
Sensibly Wed (Bradwell Brothers #1) by Kasey Stockton
[ARC] Love Buzz by Neely Tubati Alexander
Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon
Beauty and the Blade by S.C. Grayson
Mr. Gardiner and the Governess (Clairvoir Castle Romances #1) by Sally Britton
[ARC] The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes
Stardust in Their Veins (Castles in Their Bones #2) by Laura Sebastian
[ARC] Royal Gone Rogue (Sweet Royal RomComs #2) by Emma St. Clair
Chain of Thorns (The Last Hours #3) by Cassandra Clare
A Tournament of Crowns (A Trial of Sorcerers #3) by Elise Kova

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Book Review: The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn

February 24, 2023April 28, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 435 pages
Author: Kate Quinn
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: March 29th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code returns with an unforgettable World War II tale of a quiet bookworm who becomes history’s deadliest female sniper. Based on a true story.

In 1937 in the snowbound city of Kiev (now known as Kyiv), wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son–but Hitler’s invasion of Ukraine and Russia sends her on a different path. Given a rifle and sent to join the fight, Mila must forge herself from studious girl to deadly sniper–a lethal hunter of Nazis known as Lady Death. When news of her three hundredth kill makes her a national heroine, Mila finds herself torn from the bloody battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America on a goodwill tour.

Still reeling from war wounds and devastated by loss, Mila finds herself isolated and lonely in the glittering world of Washington, DC–until an unexpected friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and an even more unexpected connection with a silent fellow sniper offer the possibility of happiness. But when an old enemy from Mila’s past joins forces with a deadly new foe lurking in the shadows, Lady Death finds herself battling her own demons and enemy bullets in the deadliest duel of her life.

Based on a true story, The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, of a woman who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever.

WHOA.

Uh, why have I been apparently sleeping on Kate Quinn books?
WHY????????

This was incredible (also, audio is 1,000x the way to go here). I am hit/miss with historical fictions, I usually find the most enjoyment [reading wise] when they’re on a more unique focus and I found that here. A female Russian sniper with 300+ confirmed kills? TELL ME MORE.

What an stunning story. I was captivated from the get-go. It draws you in and every angle of this plot keeps things moving, keeps you guessing, keeps you wondering how in the world it’s going to end. I know some fictional liberties were taken, but they fit perfectly in with this novel. I love that Mila broke down barriers, and was stronger than I can ever imagine being. Her love for her son, and her country was palpable.

Many times my heart felt pulled right out of my chest. The middle of this book HURTS. The intricacies and pits of war are laid out in full view. I loved the complex nature of this dealings and seeing some of the war side in the United States with the Roosevelt’s. Even more so that the focus was on Eleanor and what part she played in Mila’s life (and vice versa). How a bonded female friendship was born from across two different nations.

This book was just something else. This experience was wholly encompassing and never let up. I LOVED it and will now be adding some Quinn backlist to my TBR.

Overall audience notes:

Historical fiction
Language: some strong
Romance: closed door
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: teenage pregnancy and marriage, war themes, gun violence, colonialism, antisemitism, racism, sexism, slut-shaming, attempted murder

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

February 23, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

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

February 23, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

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: