Tag: library book

Book Review: Before I Let Go (Skyland #1) by Kennedy Ryan

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Kennedy Ryan
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: November 15th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Their love was supposed to last forever. But when life delivered blow after devastating blow, Yasmen and Josiah Wade found that love alone couldn’t solve or save everything.

It couldn’t save their marriage.

Yasmen wasn’t prepared for how her life fell apart, but she’s is finally starting to find joy again. She and Josiah have found a new rhythm, co-parenting their two kids and running a thriving business together. Yet like magnets, they’re always drawn back to each other, and now they’re beginning to wonder if they’re truly ready to let go of everything they once had.

Soon, one stolen kiss leads to another…and then more. It’s hot. It’s illicit. It’s all good—until old wounds reopen. Is it too late for them to find forever? Or could they even be better, the second time around?

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE.

This book wasn’t initially on my radar until a trusted friend was talking about how much she loved it. I downloaded immediately, AND FELL IN LOVE.

I feel like this is a really hard book to put into words. It’s raw, human, and shows the lowest of lows alongside the highs. It’s complicated and shows how many things in life are not linear. We get knocked down, dragged around, and fight to stand back up. And that’s the amazing power of our souls.

Every single one of these characters had me wrapped up in their story. I loved the way the side characters were used to further the plot (and I Hope we get more stories from some of them???). I LOVED the children and the way divorce and therapy were discussed in regards to how it effects them. There’s a massive theme of mental health and I was teary eyed many times at the moments of despair and the moments of breakthroughs and triumphs.

I don’t have one bad thing to say. I loved this book. This was my first Kennedy Ryan book and it will definitely not be my last.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: multiple open; high explicit + high innunedo
  • Violence: low-medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: divorce, depictions of grief and depression, suicidal ideation, stillbirth

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Book Review: The Wedding Season by Katy Birchall

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Fiction
Length: 384 pages
Author: Katy Birchall
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: May 3rd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Freya Scott is getting married. Her wedding to Matthew, her long-term boyfriend, is the first of eight in her calendar this year, and as someone who prides herself on being meticulously organized, Freya is intent on making it the perfect day to remember.

But when Matthew calls things off hours before they walk down the aisle, Freya’s entire life plan goes up in smoke. Humiliated and heartbroken, the last thing she wants is to attend a summer of other peoples’ nuptials on her own.

Fortunately, her friends have an idea: together they devise a series of outrageous challenges for Freya to complete at each event, designed to distract her from Matthew and what might have been. From getting stuck in an old church bathroom and needing to be rescued by the vicar to making out with a barman at a French chateau, Freya realizes that despite herself, she might just be having fun.

By the time the final wedding arrives, she will discover that the road to a happy ending sometimes has unexpected detours, that “I do” is only the beginning––and that perhaps her own love story isn’t over just yet.

GREAT READ.

I’m not really a fiction reader. I either lean towards fantasy or romance, but I picked this up on a friends recommendation and it did not disappoint!

I really loved the vibes of this entire book. I found myself laughing out loud and cheering Freya on after a devastating break up at very much the wrong time.

Her friends were lovely and they were incredibly supportive and just there for her. I looove a good friend moment and this delivered. There’s also a subtle romance that had me smiling too.

I do wish the ex plot line didn’t take up the ENTIRE book. I thought we had essentially moved past his awfulness until he showed up late in the game which made me give a big sigh.

Still a great read about moving on when plans drastically change. Leaning in to the chaos of life and trying new things, and just maybe falling in love.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary fiction
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: make-outs

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Book Review: Fractured Sky (Tattered & Torn #5) by Catherine Cowles

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 334 pages
Author: Catherine Cowles
Publisher: Pagesmith LLC
Release Date: October 25th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Shiloh
Damaged. Broken. Destroyed. I’ve heard it all. A single moment of trusting the wrong person shattered my life into pieces, and my family has never looked at me the same. It’s impossible to convince them that I’m anything more than the broken girl they rescued all those years ago.

Until I meet him.

Ramsey’s surly demeanor and menacing scowl scare most of the world away. But not me. Not when I’ve seen his gentle hands soothe an abused colt or comfort a terrified mare.

And when I finally get up the courage to strike out on my own, Ramsey’s there. Roommates felt like such a safe proposition until Ramsey’s lingering touches and wicked smile light a fire in me I don’t think will ever be extinguished. And he feels it, too…

But just as my new life begins to take root, an evil from my past emerges from the shadows, casting a darkness on my newfound freedom. And this time, they won’t settle for pieces of me. They want everything…

LOOOOVED.

I expected this to be my favorite of the series and it delivered.

I have been waiting for Shiloh and Ramsey’s story to pull at every single piece of my heart and to leave me misty eyed. AND IT DID JUST THAT. I loved seeing Shiloh’s strength and getting her POV at last to understand all of her emotions and feelings.

And how swoony was Ramsey???? Just that beautiful calming presence who let Shiloh be without any expectations. YES. I was obsessed with these two from the start. Adding in the super sweet Aidan and Elliot brought out the feels. I loved this side plot and the healing it brought to all parties as they rallied together to give peace where it was due.

Filled with all the dramatic suspense I’ve come to expect from Cowles books I was flipping pages fast to get to the promised HEA. I looove switching it up with romantic suspense read. The dynamic is uniquely different and perfectly heated.

Overall audience notes:

  • Romantic suspense
  • Language: light
  • Romance: three brief open; low-med explicit
  • Violence: medium-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, child abuse, domestic abuse, false imprisonment, gun violence, weapons violence, near death experiences

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Book Review: The League of Gentlewomen Witches (Dangerous Damsels #2) by India Holton

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal/Historical/Fantasy Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: India Holton
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 15th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the teahouse…

Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say—although it must never be said—witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct, and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely unlike those reprobates in the Wisteria Society.

When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O’Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the world scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex’s not careful, he might just steal something else—such as Charlotte’s heart.

LAUGH INDUCING.

I love the eccentricities of this story. It’s a wild combination of genres, characters and themes and that’s what makes it so good!! I found myself laughing, leaning into the unique nature and having a good time.

My only small issue was how the relationship started. It leans more towards an enemies with benefits vibe, and I personally have a harder time with benefits books. BUT. I will say, Charlotte and Alex truly grew on me. They kept denying the fact that they were clearly in looooove and it made for some hilarious situations. I really liked them by the end and thought everything wrapped up well (I’m curious if there’s another book coming??).

Even though things go all over the place, the plot is a strong note throughout. I like that this was easy to follow so when the points of view switched up or flying houses intruded, I knew where things were ultimately going. A great read, and the audio book was wonderful!

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal / Historical / Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: vague open door
  • Violence: mild
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, explosions, physical altercations, weaponry

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