Tag: library book

Book Review: A Thousand Miles by Bridget Morrissey

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Bridget Morrissey
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: June 21st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After a decade of silence, Dee and Ben reunite for a road trip they once promised to take. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Dee Matthews is the cohost of the smash-hit podcast Did I Forget To Tell You?, where she interviews family, friends, and past lovers. Nothing is off limits, except for one man (known on the show only as Name Redacted) who happens to be her high school best friend Ben. During their senior year spring break, Dee and Ben took a road trip to visit Ben’s grandma. They buried a time capsule in her backyard, pledging to return in ten years to open it. Then their friendship fell apart in spectacular fashion. They haven’t spoken to each other since.

Ben Porter’s life since that moment has been unexciting but comfortable, until his grandma reveals a family secret that flips his whole world upside down. Her dying wish is for him to stop doing what is safest and go after what he really wants. He starts by showing up on Dee’s doorstep with every intention of fulfilling their long-ago promise. Despite her reservations, Dee can’t say no. This trip could be her chance to give her listeners the Name Redacted interview they’ve been begging for–and finally put her unresolved feelings for Ben to rest.

As the miles fly by, Dee and Ben’s friendship reignites. But the closer they get to reaching their destination, the more apparent it becomes that their attraction to each other cannot be ignored. Their last adventure ended in disaster, and they’re about to find out if any hope of a future together is in the rear view mirror.

MEH.

I’m writing this review only a few days after finishing this book and can hardly remember it. And that’s pretty much the crux of anything else I say after this point. It was fine, but not all the endearing.

I never liked the FMC, Dee. Something about her continually rubbed me the wrong way and I hated how she handled a lot of her interactions with Ben. Ben should have dropped his promise and moved right along. Admittedly, I did think there were some sweet moments. Those were very much overshadowed by everything else.

The podcast chapters were annoying. I didn’t think they added anything to the story (except for maybe the last one). It took me out and I just wanted to get back to the road trip. I did like the dual POV line-up because I love both sides of a tale.

And I think I’ve basically ran out of things to say, it was okay y’all. Moving along.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: infidelity mentioned, grief/loss depiction, death of a grandmother

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Book Review: A Fire Endless (Elements of Cadence #2) by Rebecca Ross

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Rebecca Ross
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: December 6th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

East and West. Humans and Spirits. Breccans and Tamerlaines. The Isle of Cadence has always held itself and its residents in a tenuous balance. But now Bane, the spirit of the North Wind, has pushed everyone and everything in his path off-kilter in a bid to claim dominion over all.

In the West, Adaira struggles to adjust to the more brutal, bitter ways of life among the Breccans. Striving to find her place in the clan, she swiftly realizes that it just might be the last role she desires to hold. And while magic blooms effortlessly for the Breccans in the west, the spirits continue to suffer beneath Bane’s harsh power, felt in every gust of wind.

In the East, Jack is adrift without Adaira until he sings to the ember-weak fire spirits, acquiring a dangerous mission he never expected. One that is destined to lead him westward. Likewise, Torin and Sidra are consumed by a new mystery as sickness spreads first amongst the crops, and then to the people of the Tamerlaine clan. While Sidra desperately searches for a cure, Torin dares to strike a bargain with the spirits–a precarious folly anytime, but especially now as the days grow darker.

With the island falling further out of balance, humans and spirits alike will need to join together to face Bane, and Jack’s gift with the harp will be called upon once more. Yet no one can challenge the North Wind without paying a terrible price, and the sacrifice required this time may be more than Jack, Adaira, Torin, and Sidra can bear to pay.

WONDERFUL CONCLUSION.

I know, I know. You see that four star there and wonder WHY. I’ll give you why.

One of my biggest frustrations with any book that has a heavy romance plot is the separation of love interests for an extended period of time. I felt that with this being a duology, I didn’t like waiting around until 40% for one couple to be back on the same page. Pacing wise, it caused a, nothing is happening, slow down.

BUT OTHERWISE. I thought this was lyrically beautiful. I’m especially grateful I went ahead and waited for the audiobook because I love the Scottish narration. It adds a whole new layer and really transports me into this story.

I do love both of these couples. That second half had my heart wrapped in a vice. Pulling at every emotion. I loooved the quiet moments they both got and the strength they gave each other to keep rising. I adored this whole cast. Every character held value and the progression for everyone was great to watch.

The ending will leave you turning pages faster than you can read. It felt classic to Ross’s nature (as I’ve read all of her other books) and I love how she does it each time.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: a little strong
  • Romance: fade to black
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: weapons and physical violence, poisoning

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Book Review: The No-Show by Beth O’Leary

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 352 pages
Author: Beth O’Leary
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: April 12th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Three women who seemingly have nothing in common find that they’re involved with the same man in this smart new rom-com by Beth O’Leary, bestselling author of The Flatshare.

Siobhan is a quick-tempered life coach with way too much on her plate. Miranda is a tree surgeon used to being treated as just one of the guys on the job. Jane is a soft-spoken volunteer for the local charity shop with zero sense of self-worth.

These three women are strangers who have only one thing in common: They’ve all been stood up on the same day, the very worst day to be stood up–Valentine’s Day. And, unbeknownst to them, they’ve all been stood up by the same man.

Once they’ve each forgiven him for standing them up, they let him back into their lives and are in serious danger of falling in love with a man who seems to have not just one or two but three women on the go….

Is there more to him than meets the eye? And will they each untangle the truth before they all get their hearts broken? 

WHOA.

Can we just marvel at O’Leary’s writing ability? To weave this story with so many moving parts and to leave you in the dark just enough to keep going. AND THEN to rip your heart out?! before putting back together? Oh my, what a read.

I devoured this audio in a day because I needed to know what exactly was happening. I loved how things came together and all of these subtle stories. While it was a romance, each of the women’s lives was also enriched by much more. Making new friends, finding new paths, working through mental health concerns, there’s a lot here.

The major trigger for this story is actually one of the few I don’t love reading about and may have not picked this up had I know about it. Luckily it was held off to almost the end that I was fine, but I wanted to note that in my review.

I loved getting Joseph’s story in-between everyone else’s. We never realized the ways that someone might alter our course when they’re apart of our lives. This was a great read and the audio was solid too. I would say you might pick up on more of the little clues if you’re reading physically though.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a partner, sexual harassment, cheating, dementia, panic attacks, self-harm, pregnancy, miscarriage, stalking

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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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