Tag: romance books

Book Review: An Echo in the Bone (Outlander #7) by Diana Gabaldon

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Historical fiction romance
Length: 830 pages
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publisher: Bantam
Release Date: June 22nd, 2010
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this new epic of imagination, time travel, and adventure, Diana Gabaldon continues the riveting story begun in Outlander.

Jamie Fraser is an eighteenth-century Highlander, an ex-Jacobite traitor, and a reluctant rebel in the American Revolution. His wife, Claire Randall Fraser, is a surgeon—from the twentieth century. What she knows of the future compels him to fight. What she doesn’t know may kill them both.

With one foot in America and one foot in Scotland, Jamie and Claire’s adventure spans the Revolution, from sea battles to printshops, as their paths cross with historical figures from Benjamin Franklin to Benedict Arnold.

Meanwhile, in the relative safety of the twentieth century, their daughter, Brianna, and her husband experience the unfolding drama of the Revolutionary War through Claire’s letters. But the letters can’t warn them of the threat that’s rising out of the past to overshadow their family.

Diana Gabaldon’s sweeping Outlander saga reaches new heights in An Echo in the Bone.

ENJOYING THE RIDE.

If you haven’t noticed this already, the Outlander series is a slow-burn type of read. There’s power in the mundane things Gabaldon writes about and the high action scenes. It really feels like a true story of Claire and Jamie’s lives. Every little tid-bit. And I love every little tid-bit.

One of the things I noticed here was that a lot of the travelling was cut out. Not upset with that at all. I like that they quickly crossed an ocean or land. It made the story move a bit better and consistently.

I yet again love everyone here. Claire and Jamie (especially Jamie) have my heart. They really have a romance that stand the test of time. I love Bri and Roger. And really liked having two timelines again. Lord John Grey was also in here a lot more and I love his story too. I’m just smitten all around with this cast.

I’ve been mostly listening to these on audio and have really liked the narrator. She does an amazing job to where even when I’m reading a physical copy I can hear the voices of characters in my head. It’s really brought to life and I can’t wait to be caught up on this series soon!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: kisses to open scenes
  • Violence: depictions of war (Revolutionary War), physical, depictions of Claire acting as a surgeon (removal of body parts, lots of blood/gore)
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: I say this for every Outlander book, I apologize if I may miss some of the warnings because they’re generally many: PTSD from war, kidnapping, child endangerment, slavery, murder, animal attacks, loss of loved ones, accidental manslaughter, remembrance of stillborn child and miscarriages, and potentially more

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: July 2021

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May have hit a new personal best for the month, 38 books y’all! I did read a lot of graphic novels mixed in with my big fantasy books. But I really love changing the pace between reads. Keeps slumps at bay.

Favorites this month: The Traitor Queen, How to Walk Away, Always Only You, The Poppy War, Otherwise Engaged, Well Matched, The Gravity of Us, Six Crimson Cranes, Falling for Your Enemy, Jade War, The Second Blind Son

Least Favorites: Redemptor, A Lady in Attendance, Gods & Monsters

  • [ARC] Redemptor (Raybearer #2) by Jordan Ifueko
  • Come Back to Me (Waters of Time #1) by Jody Hedlund
  • [Reread] The Traitor Queen (The Bridge Kingdom #2) by Danielle L. Jensen
  • [ARC] Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn
  • How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
  • Always Only You (Bergman Brothers #2) by Chloe Liese
  • The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels (Dangerous Damsels #1) by India Holton
  • [Graphic Novel] Sheets (Sheets #1) by Brenna Thummler
  • The Mostly Real McCoy (Apple Valley Love Stories #1) by Julie Christianson
  • [Graphic Novel] Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
  • [Graphic Novel] Barely Functional Adult: It’ll All Make Sense Eventually by Meichi Ng
  • The Poppy War (The Poppy War #1) by R.F. Kuang
  • Otherwise Engaged by Joanna Barker
  • Caught Bread Handed (A Bakeshop Mystery #4) by Ellie Alexander
  • Roomies by Christina Lauren
  • Reckless Memories (Wrecked #1) by Catherine Cowles
  • A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham
  • The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3) by Rick Riordan
  • The Extinction Trials: Rebel (The Extinction Trials #3) by S.M. Wilson
  • [ARC] Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray
  • [ARC] Well Matched (Well Met #3) by Jen DeLuca
  • [Novella] Pursuing Miss Hall by Karen Thornell
  • On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (The Wingfeather Saga #1) by Andrew Peterson
  • The Gravity of Us (Elements #4) by Brittainy C. Cherry
  • Carving for Miss Coventry (Sons of Somerset #1) by Deborah M. Hathaway
  • Counting Down With You by Tashie Bhuiyan
  • [Non-fiction] Princes at War by Deborah Cadbury
  • Six Crimson Cranes (Six Crimson Cranes #1) by Elizabeth Lim
  • Falling for Your Enemy (Love Cliches #6) by Emma St. Clair
  • Ever After Always (Bergman Brothers #3) by Chloe Liese
  • Jade War (The Green Bone Saga #2) by Fonda Lee
  • [Graphic Novel] Heartstopper, Vol. 3 by Alice Oseman
  • The Second Blind Son by Amy Harmon
  • [Novella] The Twelve Holidates (Love Cliches #4) by Emma St. Clair
  • The Tea Dragon Festival (Tea Dragon #2) by Kay O’Neill
  • Gods & Monsters (Serpent & Dove #3) by Shelby Mahurin
  • [Graphic Novel] Fence, Vol. 1 by C.S. Pacat
  • [Graphic Novel] Fence, Vol. 2 by C.S. Pacat

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Book Review: Christmas Cliche by Tara Sivec

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 159 pages
Author: Tara Sivec
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: November 19th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

‘Twas the week before Christmas
and all through L.A.,
Allie Parker’s famous twin sisters
were driving her cray.
She fled to the mountains
with a hostage in tow,
hoping to sleep through the holidays,
which were a sh*t-show.
A crash in a blizzard,
and a hot mountain man,
definitely wasn’t part
of her evacuation plan.
Santas, and stockings,
and creepy nutcrackers too,
everywhere she looks,
it’s a crazy Christmas zoo.
But there are hugs, and smiles,
and a beautiful view,
kisses and laughter,
and no time to be blue.
Maybe this family,
with their hot mountain man,
will make this a Christmas
Allie can actually stand.

CHRISTMASY & SWEET.

A hidden gem I found on Kindle Unlimited! I really like this y’all. Super quick read. Sweet romance that for someone picky about insta-love enjoyed the way it was portrayed (it was more insta-attraction and it worked well!).

Allie has a ridiculous best friend who made me laugh out loud multiple times. This book has an air of ridiculousness to it that fit into the story. I found myself wrapped up and charmed by the whole plot.

The romance was precious. Jason was this rugged mountain man that was incredibly kind and truly listened to what Allie had to say. I love all the little things he did for her to help her have a nice holiday away from her family.

It was a group of lovable characters working through family ideals. What they want to do, should be doing, and what’s best for all. These scenarios woven in to this Christmas read set a mood that had me not wanting to put this down.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: Kisses, make-outs; a few mild detailed open love scenes
  • Violence: car wreck (nobody injured)
  • Content warnings: drug use

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: June 2021

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My reading was a bit all of the place this month. Started off super strong and I feel like downhill was the only place to go. That’s okay! Definitely a positive month overall.

Favorites: The Poplar Falls series (of which I binged in 3 days), KULTI!!!!!, Ugly Love if you’re looking for a good cry, Southern Sun Northern Star (for crying reasons as well), The War I Finally Won, and We Free the Stars

Least favorites: The Roommate Situation, and The Trustworthy Groom

  • Stone Hearts (Poplar Falls #2) by Amber Kelly – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • Wicked Hearts (Poplar Falls #3) by Amber Kelly – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Fragile Hearts (Poplar Falls #4) by Amber Kelly – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Crazy Hearts (Poplar Falls #5) by Amber Kelly – (☆☆☆☆)
  • The Lion’s Den by Katherine St. John – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Kulti by Mariana Zapata – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • In the Penalty Box by Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount – (☆☆☆)
  • [ARC] A Feeling Like Home by Haleigh Wenger – (☆☆☆)
  • A Fate of Wrath & Flame (Fate & Flame #1) by K.A. Tucker – (☆☆☆)
  • Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • [Graphic] Heartstopper Vol. 1 by Alice Oseman – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • [Graphic] Heartstopper Vol 2. by Alice Oseman – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • [ARC] Between You, Me, and the Honeybees by Amelia Diane Coombs – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Foundryside (The Founders Trilogy #1) by Robert Jackson Bennett – (☆☆☆☆)
  • A Fall from Grace (Clavering Chronicles #1) by Jennie Goutet – (☆☆☆)
  • Southern Sun, Northern Star (Glass Alliance #3) by Joanna Hathaway – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • The War I Finally Won (The War That Saved My Life #2) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • The Bone Thief (The Bone Charmer #2) by Breeana Shields – (☆☆☆☆)
  • At Love’s Command (Hanger’s Horseman #1) by Karen Witemeyer – (☆☆☆)
  • Pride and Premeditation (Jane Austen Murder Mystery #1) by Tirzah Price – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Eye of the Beholder (Stone Springs #1) by Gracie Ruth Mitchell – (☆☆☆)
  • [Reread] The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) by Danielle L. Jensen – (☆☆☆☆☆)
  • The Roommate Situation (Only in Atlanta #1) by Katie Bailey – (☆☆☆)
  • Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Only When It’s Us (Bergman Brothers #1) by Chloe Liese – (☆☆☆☆)
  • [Graphic] Soppy by Philippa Rice – (☆☆☆)
  • The Trustworthy Groom (Texan Titans Romance) by Cami Checketts – (☆☆)
  • We Free the Stars (Sands of Arawiya #2) by Hafsah Faizal – (☆☆☆☆ 1/2)
  • Knitted Hearts (Poplar Falls #6) by Amber Kelly – (☆☆☆☆)
  • Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #3) by Jessica Townsend – (☆☆☆☆)

How was your reading month? Lets talk in the comments!

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