Saturday, February 15, 2025

Attached at the Hip by Christine Riccio
🎧 Narrated by Brittany Pressley

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Survivor meets The Bachelor in Attached at the Hip, an irresistible, romantic adventure by New York Times bestselling author Christine Riccio.

Orie Lennox has spent her entire life prepping for her happily ever after -- and now that she’s graduated, she’s low-key wondering, when the heck is it gonna hit. Her love life, her new job, her relationship with her sister: none of it is quite what she envisioned it to be.

One evening, on a whim, she applies for a reality show where she’ll be stranded on an island, with a bunch of strangers, to play a game of human chess for a shot at a million dollars. What better way to force herself to break up with the things that aren’t bringing her joy, than to abandon them all on short notice to live off the grid on a beach in the South Pacific!

Orie's shocked when she ends up cast in an experimental romantic edition of the show: and even more surprised to find that her old high school crush, Remy, has been cast as well. Orie's one of ten contestants, set to compete in formidable challenges, while speed dating, in the wilderness: without deodorant, toilets, shaving cream, or showers. (How!?)

She finds herself tied up — literally — in a game of risky alliances as she navigates ever-growing feelings for her one that got away, alongside an exciting array of budding new relationships.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

“When you turn something into your job, you have to start looking at it more critically. I want opening a book to always feel like coming home.”
I remember watching Survivor with my family and The Bachelor with my mom (my dad flat out refused to watch The Bachelor with us), so I couldn't resist when this book popped up on my radar. I've become less of a risktaker in my old age, but I thoroughly enjoyed the rollercoaster ride that was Attached at the Hip. The entire premise was so much fun, and I feel like marketing nailed it with those two comparisons. The challenges, being physically attached to another person for days at a time, and the toll it takes on a person mentally and physically - all wonderfully well done. 

The shows premise is that each contestant has several compatible partners on the island and one missed connection from their past. It was interesting seeing how people chose to pair up and how alliances were made. I wish the book had been slightly longer so we could have gotten to know all ten castmates, but we sadly only learn about four. Orie, Remy, Kennedy, and Osprey. I was hesitant about Kennedy at first, but she definitely grew on me by the end. Also, if you're worried about a love triangle, don't be. It's written incredibly well and I enjoyed seeing legitimate friendships develop and people reacting realistically when learning something new about another contestant. 

Orie is embarrassingly awkward. She spirals and panics in a way that was relatable, although her word vomiting is something most of us have mastered by our 20's. We learn when a thought needs to remain private and unspoken, whereas Orie just starts saying anything and everything that pops into her head. It was somewhat endearing, but the secondhand embarrassment was real. I would also say this one is more NA than YA since most of the characters are in their 20's. (Boooo Christine Riccio for saying 24 is old. It's not!)

The ending was unexpected, and I like that we get to see Orie continue to grow in her personal life after the show ends. She can't interact with her castmates until the finale, and she can't talk about what she experienced with anyone, so she's left with her own thoughts and what she wants to do with her life. I liked this version of her way more than the one we started with. I thought the last interaction she had with the other finalist was strange and out of character, and wish their side of the story had been explained. Instead we're left wondering what their motivations and intentions were.

The family dynamics were great. We see that pobody's nerfect and how even relationships we idolize have their hidden flaws. Orie has to deal with something traumatic that I wish the author had spent more time on, but instead it's left being a mistake that everyone forgives pretty easily. I know she had time away from it on the island to sort through her thoughts, but it was a big deal that was left mostly unaddressed. I think it would have been better had the incident been less intense. Maybe just getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar, so to speak, and not the horrific event that it was.

Overall, Attached at the Hip was a fun book that was wonderfully narrated. Brittany Pressley is amazing! Her female and male voices are different and I never confuse the two. Orie was an interesting character that reacted like a normal human being. If I was attached via rope to a cute guy on and island, I definitely would be thinking about how bowel movements would work. Orie just says them out loud — on camera — and in front of said cute guy. (★★★★☆)

PS: There are a lot of book, movie, and people references! A few of them went over my head, but a lot of them were familiar. 

Thursday, February 13, 2025

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Synopsis (via Goodreads):  Shay Goldstein has been a producer at her Seattle public radio station for nearly a decade, and she can't imagine working anywhere else. But lately it's been a constant clash between her and her newest colleague, Dominic Yun, who's fresh off a journalism master's program and convinced he knows everything about public radio.

When the struggling station needs a new concept, Shay proposes a show that her boss green-lights with excitement. On The Ex Talk, two exes will deliver relationship advice live, on air. Their boss decides Shay and Dominic are the perfect co-hosts, given how much they already despise each other. Neither loves the idea of lying to listeners, but it's this or unemployment. Their audience gets invested fast, and it's not long before The Ex Talk becomes a must-listen in Seattle and climbs podcast charts.

As the show gets bigger, so does their deception, especially when Shay and Dominic start to fall for each other. In an industry that values truth, getting caught could mean the end of more than just their careers.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.


"But maybe that's what we all are—halfway-broken people searching for things that will smooth our jagged edges."
This is another book that's been on my "Currently Reading" shelf for far too long. It wasn't that I didn't like or enjoy the book, but I sat it down and just sort of... forgot about it. I picked it up recently and fell back into the story like I'd never left. The public radio aspect of The Ex Talk was the best part of this book. I loved learning more about the innerworkings of public radio and seeing characters that had a passion for journalism and reporting. I enjoy listening to NPR and really liked the references that were peppered in throughout the story.

I've said it once and I'll say it again: the miscommunication trope kills a book for me. When we as readers know the characters like each other, but we see them fight those feelings because of course they don't feel the same way, it's annoying. Shay and Dominic clearly fell hard for each other, and deciding on "something casual" felt like an insult to both of their characters. They repeatedly assumed they knew what the other person wanted from the relationship, or they made it about work, and I found myself rolling my eyes at their excuses.

I also think The Ex Talk would have benefitted from duel POVs. Seeing Dominic's perspective through all of this would have added a much needed layer to the story. We just see Shay making decisions on behalf of them both, and we never really get his input on how situations play out. It would have helped to know what he was feeling and thinking in certain situations and added depth to both of their characters. 

We all know there has to be conflict in order for there to be resolution. Something bad has to happen before the characters inevitably admit their true feelings for each other and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, the villain in this story was someone that should never have had a role in their relationship in the first place. They were slimy from the start, and I hate that it was them that outed Shay and Dominic, seeing as they weren't completely innocent themselves. Their decision impacted the lives of several people yet they were left mostly unscathed. I wanted Shay and Dominic to come clean on their own terms, and not have it decided for them. Now it just feels like they were honest only because they were forced to be, and not because they were good people wanting to do the right thing. 

The intimacy was also super weird. It felt awkward to read about and I almost wish we'd had a closed door romance with this one. I think their lack of experience and shy personalities should have meant their private moments were just for the two of them, and not for us as readers. I don't know if it was how the author described those moments, but I felt like I should have skipped them for the character's benefit. 

The Ex Talk was a super fun concept with awkward and adorable characters that I could totally get behind as a couple. I just wish they'd been more open with each other. I also think Dominic should have been more assertive and supportive of Shay in the workplace. Yes, Shay was absolutely capable of handling herself, except she didn't. I would have preferred if Dominic had stepped in and stopped the mistreatment she received in her work environment, and been more bold with his intentions and how he felt about her. He was too passive for my tastes. 

The antique shopping, Steve (Shay's dog), Ruthie (an awesome friend), and how the story dealt with family loss were amazing. I thought the author addressed a really tough issue with the care and attention it deserved, and her comments about the loss feeling new even after 10 years really hit hard. So definitely give this one a go, if any of these elements appeal to you, and if a lack of communication doesn't make you crazy. (★★★☆☆)

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Top Ten Tuesday [8]

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together!

This week's topic: Love Freebie

I started to look for books with red covers, but then decided to showcase books I've read and enjoyed that had covers with hearts, and titles that had either heart or love in them. I've read ALL of these and selected them from my favorites list on Goodreads. Most of them are older books that I highly recommend and plan on rereading in the future. 

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler 
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
This Heart of Mine by C.C. Hunter *review
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

All Our Broken Pieces by L.D. Crichton *review
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
Love & Luck (Love & Gelato, #2) by Jenna Evans Welch *review
Heartless by Marissa Meyer *review

Bonus Books:
Kissed by an Angel (Kissed by an Angel, #1) by Elizabeth Chandler
The Girl Least Likely by Katy Loutzenhiser *review
The Kiss Quotient (The Kiss Quotient, #1) by Helen Hoang *review

Sunday, February 9, 2025

The Sunday Post [70]

 

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly at the Caffeinated Reviewer! It's an opportunity to share news, post a recap for the previous week, showcase books, and highlight what's planned for the week ahead.

News:

My son has been sick the last few days, so we went to Urgent Care and they gave him antibiotics. I really hope he starts feeling better soon. 🀞🏼 There's definitely something going around. Even my friends back in Virginia are dealing with it with their families. I know a few of you have also mentioned being sick this week, so I hope you feel better soon!

We're supposed to get more snow this week. We had warm weather for a few days (Fake Spring), and now were back in the teens and dealing with slushy ice on the roads. *cries Texas tears* It's really beautiful when it's coming down, and I love the fresh snow, but from the safety of my home. I stop thinking it's pretty when I have to drive in it, or when it melts and turns my backyard into a giant mud pit. The dogs track it in and I have to wipe all their paws down or risk my rugs and furniture. 

On a more positive note, my husband and I joined a volleyball team and we start playing this week! I'm really excited to have an adult activity to do with other adults that isn't work, lol. It will also be good to get out and do something active since this cold weather makes me want to hibernate. I need to find time to practice because it's been a few years. πŸ˜…

A big congratulations to Yvonne over at Socrates' Book Reviews for winning my Boys in the Valley by Philip Francassi ARC Giveaway!

Previous Week on the Blog:

Monday: πŸ’«
Thursday: πŸ’«
Saturday: πŸ’«

What I'm Currently Reading:
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
🎧 Murder at Haven's Rock (Haven's Rock, #1) by Kelley Armstrong

I should finish The Ex Talk soon! I've really enjoyed the back and forth between Shay and Dominic. I'm still waiting on the other shoe to drop, or the conflict to happen, but so far it's been believable and super cute. I need to get through the first two books in the Haven's Rock series by Kelley Armstrong since I have the third one on NetGalley coming up.

What I Plan on Reading Next:
The Boy Who Cried Bear (Haven's Rock, #2) by Kelley Armstrong
Cold as Hell (Haven's Rock, #3) by Kelley Armstrong

What I'm Watching:

Challenge Updates:
I'm setting my Physical TBR and NetGalley goals to 50! I hope I'm able to make a dent in both this year.

Friday, February 7, 2025

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A grim and gothic new tale from author Alix E. Harrow about a small town haunted by secrets that can't stay buried and the sinister house that sits at the crossroads of it all.

Eden, Kentucky, is just another dying, bad-luck town, known only for the legend of E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth-century author and illustrator who wrote The Underland--and disappeared. Before she vanished, Starling House appeared. But everyone agrees that it’s best to let the uncanny house―and its last lonely heir, Arthur Starling―go to rot.

Opal knows better than to mess with haunted houses or brooding men, but an unexpected job offer might be a chance to get her brother out of Eden. Too quickly, though, Starling House starts to feel dangerously like something she’s never had: a home.

As sinister forces converge on Starling House, Opal and Arthur are going to have to make a dire choice to dig up the buried secrets of the past and confront their own fears, or let Eden be taken over by literal nightmares.

If Opal wants a home, she’ll have to fight for it.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.


I started Starling House last January and didn't pick it back up again until a few days ago. I got really annoyed with the main character and how she justified her actions throughout the book. Did she have a rough childhood? Yes. Did she choose to lie and cheat and steal in order to take care of herself and her brother? Yes. I honestly don't even blame her for that. However, I did have a problem with how she treated the people in her life. Her past didn't absolve her from the choices she made in the present, nor did it give her an excuse to be a terrible person.

Opal's personality left a lot to be desired. The book repeatedly talked about her crooked teeth and mean smile, and she was content with lowering herself to other people's expectations. Opal had people in her life that accepted her for who she was, and she chose bitterness over their help and friendship. When she eventually bullies her way into a job at Starling House, she doesn't hesitate to snoop and steal from an employer that's vastly overpaying her for a job he didn't want to give her in the first place. She wasn't a good person but at least she didn't pretend to be one either.

Arthur Starling was only slightly less annoying. He kept his thoughts and feelings locked down and rarely showed any hint of emotion or concern for anything other than the house itself. Even that he neglected - and intentionally damaged - until reluctantly (and seemingly at the house's insistence) accepting Opal's offer to clean and repair it. A house that had done nothing to deserve his anger, he abused because he didn't know how to deal with his feelings like an adult. I also hated how Opal kept referring to him as "ugly." It wasn't a one-time thing I could look past, but something that was repeated over and over again anytime his physical appearance was described by someone in the book.

Starling House was easily the star of the story. It reminded me of the one from Encanto, only darker and with sharp teeth and claws. It and the hellcat were two of the only things I liked about Starling House. Although, I would have loved more interactions with the house itself, since its sentience was a huge draw for me as I was reading this book. I was *this close* to DNFing it but kept going because I was curious about the house's history and what role it played in the story. Sadly, I was left with a lot of unanswered questions and an unsatisfying ending. 

This book had a really interesting concept that I think was poorly executed. It also felt unnecessarily long. The middle of the book dragged on and on without really saying anything important. Most of what we learn about the house and its mysteries we get in the last 50 pages or so. If the story was cleaned up, and the characters were restructured a bit, I think I would like this one a lot more. Unfortunately, I only found it mildly interesting and it was a relief to finally turn the last page. (★★★☆☆)

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes
🎧 Narrated by Zura Johnson

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A crew must try to survive on an ancient, abandoned planet in the latest space horror novel from S.A. Barnes, acclaimed author of Dead Silence.

Space exploration can be lonely and isolating.

Psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray has dedicated her life to the study and prevention of ERS—a space-based condition most famous for a case that resulted in the brutal murders of twenty-nine people. When she's assigned to a small exploration crew, she's eager to make a difference. But as they begin to establish residency on an abandoned planet, it becomes clear that crew is hiding something.

While Ophelia focuses on her new role, her crewmates are far more interested in investigating the eerie, ancient planet and unraveling the mystery behind the previous colonizer's hasty departure than opening up to her.

That is, until their pilot is discovered gruesomely murdered. Is this Ophelia’s worst nightmare starting—a wave of violence and mental deterioration from ERS? Or is it something more sinister?

Terrified that history will repeat itself, Ophelia and the crew must work together to figure out what’s happening. But trust is hard to come by… and the crew isn’t the only one keeping secrets.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.


Ghost Station was wonderfully eerie! I loved the suspense and how slowly things were revealed. The author really took her time setting up the story, and I was pleasantly surprised with how things unfolded. The super creepy alien atmosphere only added to the appeal. If you like audiobooks, I definitely recommend listening to this one. The narrator did a wonderful job and only heightened my feelings of unease.

Ophelia has a dark past she wants to keep locked away, but we see how her circumstances bring long-buried memories to light. Her crewmates already have preconceived notions about her, and when certain truths are revealed, she loses what little trust and comradery she'd managed to build between them. She desperately wants to prove she's more than her name, but the crew she's been assigned to has secrets of their own that impact their decisions and reactions on this mission.

When they arrive on the planet, there are signs that its previous inhabitants left in a hurry. The generator, building, personal items, etc. have all been left in disarray, which isn't what anyone expected. Everyone is quick to shrug it off, but there are lingering feelings of unease amongst the crew. It's also weird that the previous owners of the planet would sell the rights to their competitor, which should have been the first clue that something was amiss. 

They're on the planet to collect samples, but their seemingly simple mission is upended when one of their crewmates starts behaving erratically. Ophelia thinks it's ERS, something she's been working on with her patients for years, and employs methods to try and mitigate the symptoms. Unfortunately, no one could have anticipated what was actually going on, and her efforts fail to help and cause more tension between her and the rest of the crew.

As things escalate, people's secrets are revealed and relationships are tested. I really liked how determined Ophelia was despite the reception she received, and thought her gradual - if somewhat begrudging acceptance - was hard-won and well deserved. She didn't give up when things were difficult, and I honestly think the challenge was good for her. She proved herself to be capable and was able to convince most of them that she had good intentions. 

You have an ancient alien civilization (they've been dead for a while), unpredictable weather and visibility when outside the "ghost station," and some unidentifiable thing to contend with. It would have been stressful and scary without the tension between the characters, but I think the danger and "unknown" elements added to the unpredictability of the story. I definitely recommend this one if you like horror. Ghost Station kept me guessing the entire time, and I'm happy with how things were resolved at the end. (★★★★☆)

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Top Ten Tuesday [7]

 
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together!

This week's topic: 2024 Releases I Was Excited to Read but Still Haven’t Gotten To

There are a lot of 2024 releases that I didn't get to in 2024, but they're definitely a priority for me this year (especially since most of them are ARCs or review copies I have and really need to read). 

Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst
Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao
The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel
What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould

Exes & Foes by Amanda Woody
Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

Have you read any of these? Which one should I read first? I always have a hard time choosing. πŸ˜…

Sunday, February 2, 2025

The Sunday Post [69]

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly at the Caffeinated Reviewer! It's an opportunity to share news, post a recap for the previous week, showcase books, and highlight what's planned for the week ahead.

News:

I spent a ridiculous amount of time the other day making Challenge Progress bars for my blog. I'm out of practice and my html skills are a little rusty, lol. I'm really happy with how they turned out though! Sadly, I didn't do much reading this week due to a weirdly busy schedule that didn't allow for it. Although, I was able to start listening to Attached at the Hip - audiobooks for the win!

We've had warm weather this week! It's been in the high 50's and low 60's. So. Lovely. I know we have more cold weather coming up, so I'm trying to enjoy this while it lasts. I think the chickens are feeling the warm weather also, because they've been laying eggs like crazy. We might have to start giving them away to our neighbors soon. πŸ˜…

My copy of Onyx Storm finally arrived! My plan is to start reading it Monday and hopefully finish it on Tuesday. It all depends on my kids and whether or not they'll leave me alone long enough to get through it, lol.

Previous Week on the Blog:

Monday: πŸ’«
Wednesday: DNF&Y [45]
Friday: πŸ’«

What I'm Currently Reading:
A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson
Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier
🎧 Attached at the Hip by Christine Riccio

I recently started Attached at the Hip and I'm really enjoying the audio so far! The MC is a little over-the-top, but I'm hoping she gets better as the story progresses. I still need to finish the other two. πŸ˜…

What I Plan on Reading Next:
The Encanto's Daughter (The Encanto's Daughter, #1) by Melissa de la Cruz
We Would Never by Tova Mirvis

What I'm Watching:

Absolutely nothing right now, lol. I can't remember the last time I sat down and turned on the TV. 

Challenge Updates:
I'm setting my Physical TBR and NetGalley goals to 50! I hope I'm able to make a dent in both this year.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

State of the ARC [36]

State of the ARC is a monthly meme hosted by Avalinah at Avalinah's Books and Sarah at All the Book Blog Names Are Taken! It's an opportunity for readers to catch up on their long overdue ARCs, but right now I'm using it to keep up with my upcoming ARCs instead. It helps me stay organized!

The Encanto's Daughter (The Encanto's Daughter, #1) by Melissa de la Cruz (2/11)*
*Goodreads says it was originally published on 3/5/24, but I'm using the date listed on NetGalley
We Would Never by Tova Mirvis (2/11)
Cold as Hell (Haven's Rock, #3) by Kelley Armstrong (2/18)
The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor (2/25)

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (3/4)
When the Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain (3/4)
Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven (3/4)*
*Goodreads says it will be published on 2/27/25, but I'm using the date listed on NetGalley
Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen (3/18)
The Prince Without Sorrow (Obsidian Throne, #1) by Maithree Wijesekara (3/18)

The Unlucky Ones (Black Harbor, #4) by Hannah Morrissey (3/25)

The Sirens by Emilia Hart (4/1)*
*Goodreads says it will be published on 2/13/25, but I'm using the date listed on NetGalley
Where Shadows Meet (Where Shadows Meet, #1) by Patrice Caldwell (4/1)
The Notorious Virtues (The Notorious Virtues, #1) by Alwyn Hamilton (4/1)
The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez (4/8)
The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner (4/8)

What Comes After by Katie Bayerl (4/29)
My Best Friend's Honeymoon by Meryl Wilsner (4/29)
Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer (4/29)

The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li (5/6)
All We Lost Was Everything by Sloan Harlow (5/6)
Death at a Highland Wedding (A Tip Through Time, #4) by Kelley Armstrong (5/20)
Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts (5/27)

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark (6/3)

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox (7/1)
In the Veins of Drowning (The Siren Mage, #1) by Kalie Cassidy (7/15)
Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods (7/15)
Salt Bones by Jennifer Givhan (7/22)