Synopsis (via Goodreads): Perfect for readers of The Hazel Wood and The Night Circus, this lush and layered story about magic and the captivating power of dreams is delivered with acclaimed author Rebecca Ross’s signature exquisite style.
A curse plagues the realm of Azenor—during each new moon, magic flows from the nearby mountain and brings nightmares to life. Only magicians, who serve as territory wardens, stand between people and their worst dreams.
Clementine Madigan is ready to take over as the warden of her small town, but when two magicians challenge her, she is unwittingly drawn into a century-old conflict. She seeks revenge, but as she secretly gets closer to Phelan, one of the handsome young magicians, secrets begin to rise. Clementine must unite with her rival to fight the realm’s curse, which seems to be haunting her every turn.
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 Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
Dreams Lie Beneath is one of the best books I've read in ages. The narrator was a synthetic voice for the purpose of listening to and reviewing an early version of the audiobook, so I can only imagine how good the finished and final version will be. It says a lot about story when you can lose yourself completely in what's happening despite a slightly robotic voice doing all of the reading. There's no inflection or change in cadence, yet I still thoroughly enjoyed the story Rebecca Ross created.
Clementine is a wonderful character that is driven (initially) by revenge and anger. She holds on to her wounded pride and uses her feelings to get even with those that have wronged her. She chose to avenge herself - and her father - instead of sulking away and reinventing her life somewhere new. Clem goes to extreme lengths to see her plan fulfilled, and I'm not sure I would have had the same gumption had I been in her shoes.
As the reader, we don't know what's really happening throughout the story until Clem learns or discovers something. We know what she knows, and I thought the pacing was really well done and kept me engaged the entire time. I loved the history of the nightmares and wardens; the eerie card game and secrets kept locked away. The magic, the world-building and the characters made Dreams Lie Beneath a truly evocative experience that I didn't want to end.
I also really enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers romance that changed and evolved over the course of the book. Phelan was giving off major Mr. Darcy vibes, especially when Clem takes down his hair. 😳 A slow-burn romance at its best. Would I have liked a little more romance? Always. However, I did think their relationship was well written and realistic. I really hope there's a second book that features them and what their lives look like a few years later.
My one small complaint would be Clem's family. I wish they had played a more prominent role in the story, but I can also understand why the author kept them at a distance. This was Clementine's book - and she definitely stole the show - but she also needed autonomy and space to see her plan come to fruition. I normally dislike when the bulk of a story is based on secrets and lies, but the deceptions were what made this book so interesting. I didn't always know who to trust, and that made me question and second-guess everyone Clem encountered.
Fighting nightmares on the new moon, enacting revenge for yourself and your family, falling for someone unexpectedly, and all of the magic and history made Dreams Lie Beneath a book you definitely want to look for.
Synopsis (via Goodreads): After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.
Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemí’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.
Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.
And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! Gods of Jade of Shadowwas my first book by Moreno-Garcia, and I absolutely loved the Mayan mythology that was woven in throughout the story. Mexican Gothic was equally enchanting with its ghosts and many mysteries, and I really enjoyed Noemí as a main character. I'm already looking forward to reading my copy of Certain Dark Things and Velvet Was the Night. I'm pretty sure I have The Beautiful Ones on NetGalley, too. (See? Obsessed.) If you haven't read anything by this author yet, you don't know what you're missing!
I ended up listening to an audiobook for Mexican Gothic (despite starting with a physical copy), and I'm really happy I did! Frankie Corzo was an amazing narrator that really brought Moreno-Garcia's story to life. Every character had a unique voice and presence within the book, although I was particularly fond of Noemí and Francis. Noemí was very strong-willed and undaunted by the weirdness of the Doyle family. She endured their silence, their judginess, and their unwillingness to accept her presence within their home. She cracked and wavered, considered giving up once or twice, but stayed committed to helping Catalina (her cousin) and to figuring out the house's secrets.
It's clear from the start that something weird is going on, and that Catalina's sickness isn't normal. Her husband, Virgil Doyle, is as disgusting as his father, Howard Doyle. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and I despised the two of them instantly. They both spoke like they were above everyone else, and they had a superiority complex that was nauseating to read about. The way they spoke to Noemí, how they treated the women in their own family - UGH. I hate that everyone just accepted their behaviors because that's how things were done. The mind games they played were awful, too. They would say one thing when they meant another, and they seemed to enjoy making Noemí feel like she was imagining certain things. Their sick sense of humor made me feel stabby and violent. I wanted something terrible to happen to both of them.
Francis was the only descent member of the Doyle family, although he seemed fine with being a sheep for most of the book. I would have appreciated more of a backbone from him, but I can also understand and appreciate the characteristics he had. He had been raised a certain way and been burdened with knowledge and expectations that no sane person would want. I think he did his best to help Noemí and Catalina, but his family also had a very firm grip on his life and actions. No secrets were safe in High Place, and you could never be sure who was listening, or even if what you were seeing was actually happening.
Moreno-Garcia really messed with my head throughout Mexican Gothic. I never knew what was real and what was imagined, and I struggled along with Noemí to sort dreams from reality. I really loved how this story developed and the way the author chose to reveal certain chunks of information. It gently unfolded in the most unexpected ways, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I also really liked how the book ended, because while this particular story is over, it still felt like there was something unfinished about their individual lives. How will they recover after everything they've been through? What will their lives look like now? While I love a good epilogue, I think not knowing really suited this book. (★★★★★)
Synopsis (via Goodreads): When twin heirs are born in Tourin, their fates are decided at a young age. While Izaveta remained at court to learn the skills she’d need as the future queen, Asya was taken away to train with her aunt, the mysterious Firebird, who ensured magic remained balanced in the realm.
But before Asya’s training is completed, the ancient power blooms inside her, which can mean only one thing: the queen is dead, and a new ruler must be crowned.
As the princesses come to understand everything their roles entail, they’ll discover who they can trust, who they can love—and who killed their mother.
Disclaimer: 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.
I really, really wanted to like These Feathered Flames. There's a lot to love, right? A Slavic-inspired fantasy! Russian folklore and culture! Twin sisters! Unfortunately, the story was slow, somewhat repetitive, and the characters were uninteresting (and also somewhat repetitive). Asya and Izaveta were incredibly frustrating, and I hated how they kept making the same mistakes over and over again. Asya gets attacked in the middle of the night? Okay, so obviously she should take a stroll through the woods where no one will hear her if she screams. Izaveta tries to use her sister as a pawn and it backfires? Yes, she should totally do it again and again hoping for a different outcome. Learn from your mistakes and BE BETTER.
I really wanted them to work together and be smarter than their enemies, but they kept choosing to do things on their own without consulting the other or asking for help. Additionally, Asya's aunt is still around (she's the previous Firebird), so it didn't make sense for Asya to try and do everything solo. She had someone she could ask for help. She could have gone to her aunt and they could have sorted through her newly emerging powers and discussed what certain things meant. However, Asya thinks she can handle it - or she doesn't want to feel like a burden - which is ridiculous. She's supposed to be training and learning how to be the Firebird. It was dumb of her to think she could do it all on her own. Izaveta has a similar story, because she thinks she can't trust anyone - not even her sister - because her mother was a manipulative bitch that didn't deserve either of her children.
Izaveta was so caught up in playing mind games with everyone around her, that she doubted everyone's sincerity. She has MAJOR trust issues, and I wish she'd at least had one friend or confidant that she wasn't constantly analyzing or trying to control. I hated that she didn't even trust her sister (someone who kept reaching out despite receiving no response from Izaveta), and felt like Asya was just another piece in her games. Where's the sisterly love I was hoping for? It wasn't present in the first 60% of this book (which was roughly 8 hours of the audio). That's A LONG TIME for nothing to really happen.
The world-building was interesting, and I liked the history we get to see in glimpses, but it wasn't enough to hold my attention. In addition to feeling like the characters kept making the same choices and mistakes, I was bored. I started dreading pressing the play button on my phone, and that's never a good sign. (★★☆☆☆)
Technically, this book should be included in my next DNF&Y post, but I needed an active link for NetGalley and the publisher.
Synopsis (via Goodreads): From the New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue comes a new romantic comedy that will stop readers in their tracks...
For cynical twenty-three-year-old August, moving to New York City is supposed to prove her right: that things like magic and cinematic love stories don’t exist, and the only smart way to go through life is alone. She can’t imagine how waiting tables at a 24-hour pancake diner and moving in with too many weird roommates could possibly change that. And there’s certainly no chance of her subway commute being anything more than a daily trudge through boredom and electrical failures.
But then, there’s this gorgeous girl on the train.
Jane. Dazzling, charming, mysterious, impossible Jane. Jane with her rough edges and swoopy hair and soft smile, showing up in a leather jacket to save August’s day when she needed it most. August’s subway crush becomes the best part of her day, but pretty soon, she discovers there’s one big problem: Jane doesn’t just look like an old school punk rocker. She’s literally displaced in time from the 1970s, and August is going to have to use everything she tried to leave in her own past to help her. Maybe it’s time to start believing in some things, after all.
Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop is a magical, sexy, big-hearted romance where the impossible becomes possible as August does everything in her power to save the girl lost in time.
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.
I really enjoyed Red, White & Royal Blueso I had high expectations for One Last Stop! It didn't disappoint, and the chemistry between Jane and August was electric (iykyk). Although, I do think it was a little longer than it needed to be (small potatoes). A few times I found myself zoning out while listening to the audiobook, and it was usually when August started going into excessive detail about this or that. It wasn't necessarily bad, but it did make the book drag in some places.
Speaking of drag... I absolutely loved all of the QUEENS that made an appearance in this book. McQuiston made me want to go to a show! I thought the author did a really good job of writing wonderful LGBTQ+ characters and liked all of the representation in One Last Stop. Everyone was unique and amazing, so obviously I wish we could all be best friends forever.
There was Niko and his calm demeanor; how he just knew things and addressed them in very respectful and unobtrusive ways. He let his friends know he was there and put information (or made general statements) out there to be acknowledged or ignored. Myla was incredibly sweet and welcoming. She was also a brilliant badass that you definitely want on your side. I loved her and Niko's relationship and really want them to have their own story eventually! Wes was super awkward and a little weird, but I adored his quirky qualities. He kept getting in his own way, and I was happy to see him finally accept his feelings for someone and verbalize them. I really hope he gets his own story in the future, too!
August was a little annoying at first, but she also needed to get out of her own head. She's lived her whole life afraid to let people in, so it was nice to see her accept love and affection from others. The friendships she developed with her roommates and coworkers, the relationship she had with Jane, and even the unconventional dynamic she had with her mother were all something she had to work at. I liked that she was confronted with hard choices and unbelievable circumstances, because we get to see how those shaped her as the story progressed.
Jane was hot. She made my toes curl and gooseflesh prickle along my arms. If I hadn't already known I was into girls, this book definitely would have made that very clear, haha. She was also a really interesting character that I loved learning about. Her entire existence was a conundrum; a problem I didn't mind solving. Like August, I wanted Jane to remember who she was, but I also didn't want her to disappear. It's a good thing I wholeheartedly believe in HEA's, and that RW&RB had one.
I love books with amazing characters, and One Last Stop had plenty! The secondary characters were fleshed out, and the main characters weren't overly obnoxious. They didn't fight (much) or keep secrets (though August does occasionally withhold information when she thinks people aren't ready for the truth), and their main conflict was believable and easily resolved. I was okay with how it was handled, but wish August had been a little more straightforward and honest with people from the start. I also wanted her to talk to her mother way sooner than she actually did, but I can see how that would have been problematic. Overall, it was a fantastic book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Audiobook review: Natalie Naudus was an amazing narrator and one I will definitely be looking for in the future! Everyone had a very distinct voice, and I was never confused about who was talking (even after zoning out). Her voice flowed and had a very soothing quality to it that I enjoyed. (★★★★☆)
Synopsis (via Goodreads): Kinch Na Shannack owes the Takers Guild a small fortune for his education as a thief, which includes (but is not limited to) lock-picking, knife-fighting, wall-scaling, fall-breaking, lie-weaving, trap-making, plus a few small magics. His debt has driven him to lie in wait by the old forest road, planning to rob the next traveler that crosses his path. But today, Kinch Na Shannack has picked the wrong mark.
Galva is a knight, a survivor of the brutal goblin wars, and handmaiden of the goddess of death. She is searching for her queen, missing since a distant northern city fell to giants.
Unsuccessful in his robbery and lucky to escape with his life, Kinch now finds his fate entangled with Galva's. Common enemies and uncommon dangers force thief and knight on an epic journey where goblins hunger for human flesh, krakens hunt in dark waters, and honor is a luxury few can afford.
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.
The Blacktongue Thief is one of the best fantasy books I've read in ages! It's right up there with Lord of the Rings in terms of world-building and characters you want to root for. Kinch was definitely more developed than the others, but I was satisfied with how fleshed out the secondary characters were (more would have been lovely, because they were all uniquely interesting). I was surprised by how much I started to care for certain people, and heartbroken when something unfortunate happened to someone I'd grown used to. It was hard to like everyone, but I did enjoy their presence on the pages.
Buehlman has masterfully woven a tale of unlikely heroes, since Kinch himself is a certifiable thief trained by the Takers Guild. He's done some questionable things in his life, but his personality and heart more than make up for it. He's not afraid to do what needs to be done, but that doesn't mean he goes out of his way to do it. I wouldn't say he's loyal or trustworthy (he is to an extent), but he does care about Galva and Norrigal in his own way. He's also hilarious and I loved his sense of humor and way of viewing the world. His love of a blind cat is probably what cemented my affection for him.
This book was also a little dirty and a lot dark. The author didn't shy away from the nitty gritty bits of the world he created, and we get to see our fair share of impossible situations and unfortunate circumstances. People that are just trying to scrape by however they can, and the lengths they will go to for a few coins. I was thoroughly entranced by this story, and my heart hurt for these fictional people and their make-believe problems. That's how you know when a book is good - you care for something or someone that isn't real. Also, the language used in this book isn't for the faint of heart or those that would rather avoid obscenities and indelicate situations. I don't mind cursing and vulgarity, and even though Kinch used words and phrases that were unfamiliar, their meaning wasn't hard to figure out. ;)
I started reading a physical ARC of this book, but then I stumbled across the audiobook on NetGalley. Friends, if you have a chance, listen to this one! The author narrates the story and it was a truly amazing experience. Kinch's voice is something I'll be able to recall for days, if not longer. It was so unique and distinctive; I felt as if I were traveling right next to him on their journey. There's also singing! I've never heard a narrator sing before. They usually just read the words - sometimes with a little change in their voice - but this book had singing. I loved it. It made the book even more memorable, in my opinion.
At first I wasn't sure this book was going to be a good fit, but I am so glad I stuck with it. It took me a few chapters to get used to the world and its rules, but now I feel like I've lived there my entire life. Buehlman has created new languages, new peoples, and new monsters. I'm sure I'll have nightmares about goblins in the future, especially after what happened by the fence. I'm not going to lie, there were some BRUTAL aspects of this book that really made my stomach turn. I think it says a lot about the writing that I was able to feel so repulsed by certain actions and still wanted to keep reading.
Weirdly, I enjoyed the book's leisurely pace. It wasn't slow by any means, since the characters were constantly facing this or that challenge, but Kinch does love to tell a story. He used stories and anecdotes to educate readers on different aspects of the world we're reading about, and I thought it was crafty of the author to build the world through the eyes of one of its inhabitants (based on that person's experiences). Old tales, stories about gods and goddesses, a tale sung in a tavern - all added additional layers to the world. There's plenty of fighting, and the author does skip through some of the traveling, but it was nonetheless an enjoyable experience.
I honestly cannot praise this book enough. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but it did feel like the author pressed pause on the story. There's definitely more in store for Kinch and the others, but I have no idea what their future will look like. We're left feeling hopeful, and also a little sad. There's a lot to love about this book, but it will definitely play your emotions like a fiddle (iykyk). It's one I always looked forward to picking up again, and one I know I'm going to be thinking about for days. A few times now I've caught myself reaching for something that isn't there, so I'm already eagerly awaiting the next one. If you enjoy fantasy books, make sure you add this one to your TBR! (★★★★★)
Synopsis (via Goodreads): After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Dames Blanches, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide.
To elude the scores of witches and throngs of chasseurs at their heels, Lou and Reid need allies. Strong ones. But protection comes at a price, and the group is forced to embark on separate quests to build their forces. As Lou and Reid try to close the widening rift between them, the dastardly Morgane baits them in a lethal game of cat and mouse that threatens to destroy something worth more than any coven.
The hotly anticipated sequel to the New York Times and IndieBound bestseller Serpent & Dove—packed with even steamier romance and darker magic—is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas.
If Serpent & Dove was an ocean – full of life and possibility – then Blood & Honey was a stagnant puddle of water – muddied and unremarkable.
I just finished Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin and I am so disappointed. I'm definitely not okay with how it ended, and I felt like the entire book was pointless in regard to the progression of the story. Everything happened over a span of what? A week? It felt like the characters were rushing from one thing to the next, but without any of the character development and plot devices from the first book. In Serpent & Dove I fell in love with Lou and Reid, Ansel and Coco. They grew individually and developed as a group, but both aspects were absent from Blood & Honey. Everyone basically stayed the same, and their repeated arguments were exhausting to read about.
What happened to all of the characters I fell in love with? Lou and Reid kept fighting over the SAME things, and most of the time their arguments were superficial and lacked any real substance. Reid still struggles with magic and Lou by association. He hates himself for various reasons, yet is unwilling to look at anything differently (despite everything he’s been through and everything that’s happened). His mother, his wife, one of his companions - they all use magic, but he's too stubborn to set aside his beliefs and antiquated notions. All of the characters were unbearably obnoxious and whiny, and the story dragged despite everything happening in a very short timeline. Lou took things too far, Reid avoided everything he needed to face, and the others simply watched events unfold like little kids watching their parents fight.
I also hated how Ansel was treated the entire book. He more than earned their respect after everything he did in Serpent & Dove, yet they still saw him as a child that needed to be protected. They laughed at him when he tried to learn how to defend himself, and always viewed him as a liability. Over and over again he gets looked over and pushed aside, and I will never forgive Lou for the things she said to him towards the end. I don't care what her reasons were, she was needlessly cruel and should have kept her damn mouth shut. What Coco did to him wasn't any better, and her justifications only made me roll my eyes and sigh with disappointment. She shouldn't have toyed with him, and now the damage is done. Beau was always obnoxious when it came to Ansel. Reid didn't outright make fun of him or belittle his efforts, but he wasn't a staunch supporter either.
BEAU! I really thought we'd learn more about him during this book, but he's still a sadly underdeveloped secondary character. I thought his position and attitude would make him a more interesting character, but he rarely interjected with anything interesting to say. His childish behaviors and commentary got old really fast.
A lot of what happened felt like it was done for shock value, and not necessarily because it needed to happen. I really wanted to love Blood & Honey as much as I loved Serpent & Dove, but the second book lacked everything I enjoyed about the first. Yes, there were several awesome fight scenes, and the conflict between Lou and her mother was still there, but other than the addition of a few interesting new characters, this book didn't really add anything to the overall story. It was definitely a filler book, and I wish this series had remained the duology it was originally meant to be.
Pro: Listening to the audiobook was so much better than reading it on my own! I really struggled with the French words and pronunciations in Serpent & Dove, and having a narrator meant I didn't have to worry about butchering anything in Blood & Honey. Holter Graham and Saskia Maarleveld were amazing, despite Graham not really have the voice I imagined for Reid. Oh, and this one ends with a really annoying cliffhanger. You've been warned. (★★⋆☆☆)
DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I disliked about a book might be something you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative! If you would like additional information, please click on the DNF&Y tab at the top. If you want to join, you can link up at the bottom!
The Light at the Bottom of the World (Light the Abyss, #1) by London Shah
Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio
Synopsis (via Goodreads): Hope had abandoned them to the wrath of all the waters.
At the end of the twenty-first century, the world has changed dramatically, but life continues one thousand feet below the ocean's surface. In Great Britain, sea creatures swim among the ruins of Big Ben and the Tower of London, and citizens waver between fear and hope; fear of what lurks in the abyss, and hope that humanity will soon discover a way to reclaim the Earth.
Meanwhile, sixteen-year-old Leyla McQueen has her own problems to deal with. Her father's been arrested, accused of taking advantage of victims of the Seasickness—a debilitating malaise that consumes people, often claiming their lives. But Leyla knows he's innocent, and all she's interested in is getting him back so that their lives can return to normal.
When she's picked to race in the action-packed London Submersible Marathon, Leyla gets the chance to secure his freedom; the Prime Minister promises the champion whatever their heart desires. The race takes an unexpected turn, though, and presents her with an opportunity she never wanted: Leyla must venture outside of London for the first time in her life, to find and rescue her father herself.
Now, she'll have to brave the unfathomable waters and defy a corrupt government determined to keep its secrets, all the while dealing with a secretive, hotheaded companion she never asked for in the first place. If she fails, or falls prey to her own fears, she risks capture—and her father might be lost forever.
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.
I really wanted to like The Light at the Bottom of the World, but ughhh. I thought it had an interesting premise and the cover was intriguing (plus I love books that take place underwater), but the main character was impossible to like. Additionally, the pacing was slow and the secondary characters were dull. I DNFd the audiobook after two(ish) hours, because I felt like the story hadn't really gone anywhere (although the author did go into GREAT detail about Leyla's daily life). I wanted to know more about what happened before, and how the world started living in the ocean's depths. It seems like that would be something that's really hard to pull off, so I would have appreciated more information regarding their living conditions, but the setting was skimmed over and only briefly explained.
We quickly learn that Leyla's father has been arrested and she doesn't know why. She's been making inquiries and keeps getting ignored, and I hated how little we actually knew about her and her family. I thought her grandfather sounded interesting, but his interactions were brief and not at all enlightening. However, I do feel like she should have moved in with him when her father was taken away, since she's still a child and shouldn't be trying to "make it" on her own.
Basically, Leyla was a terrible protagonist. She wasn't likable, her actions rarely made sense, and my breakfast had more personality than she did. She's 16 and thinks she can take care of herself, which is ridiculous. People are dying from some sort of sickness (something that has to do with a lack of sunlight, or was related to them no longer being aboveground), yet this girl thinks she has everything under control. There are literal robot terrorists hunting humans, buildings collapsing from the pressure they're constantly under (how they were still standing and functioning is a mystery to me), but she thinks she can do everything alone (or at least with her rich friends just giving her everything she needs). The book and the main character were both constantly stating how dangerous the world was, which made her carefree attitude all the more exasperating. She also contradicted herself all the time, and everything seemed to happen exactly how she wanted it to.
I think the pacing suffered from too many unnecessary details, and the story suffered from ridiculous characters who behaved unrealistically. I wanted to like this book - truly - but too much eye-rolling is bad for your health. (★★☆☆☆)
Two books I wish I had DNFd: The Toot Fairy & Cheesemaker Durdsden by Mark Huffman, Dawn Davidson (Illustrator)
To trade quarters for teeth for her fairy carreer!
But when plans for the future go horribly wrong
Here comes Poobums the Pungent to help her along!
Synopsis for Cheesemaker Durdsden (via Goodreads):
Cheesemaker Durdsden was bad at his tradeSo he packed up his bag and went searching for aid His new cheese was proved a delicious success But when asked how he made it, he had to confess...
I was asked to review these books for a blog tour and declined, yet they somehow ended up in my mailbox anyways. I knew they wouldn't be books that I would enjoy, but I also feel like I need to tell you how terrible they were so you don't unknowingly buy them for your children.
Cheesemaker Durdsden was just gross. Clearly this author likes to write about topics most people would avoid, and for good reason. This book actually made me sick to my stomach. The main character makes bad cheese, leaves to learn how to make better cheese, comes back and somehow makes cheese that everyone loves. We have no idea where he went or what he did, only that he ran into something that's the secret ingredient for his new recipe. IT'S SO DISGUSTING. I think it was supposed to be funny, but I honestly expected the townspeople to spear him with a pitchfork for pulling that nonsense (Durdsden, not the something). I was actually really disappointed by their lack of a reaction.
Surprisingly, they were weirdly okay with how Durdsden made his cheese. I know it's a children's book, but it still has to make sense. The author also went into great detail about how his new cheese was made - excuse me while I vomit - and it was just too much. The illustrations just added another layer of repulsiveness to the book. (★★☆☆☆)
The Toot Fairy was VERY INAPPROPRIATE. A skeevy old fairy opens children's pants and puts money inside. That is not okay. It's not funny, and it's definitely not something that should be done or joked about in a children's book. Kids should not expect a creepy man to come by and give them money for farting (ugh, I hate that word), especially since someone REACHES INTO THEIR PANTS TO DO IT. Even the illustration shows the child with a VERY weird look on their face (see below).
The story itself was also uninteresting. A lot of the rhymes felt forced which affected the story's flow. I honestly hate that I read this one with my kids, but they thought the title was hilarious (kids, right?) I'm just relieved that they were disinterested and didn't notice when I skipped several pages of the book (read them to myself, just not aloud). (★☆☆☆☆)
*this post has been backdated
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Synopsis (via Goodreads): A showrunner and her assistant give the world something to talk about when they accidentally fuel a ridiculous rumor in this debut romance.
Hollywood powerhouse Jo is photographed making her assistant Emma laugh on the red carpet, and just like that, the tabloids declare them a couple. The so-called scandal couldn't come at a worse time--threatening Emma's promotion and Jo's new movie.
As the gossip spreads, it starts to affect all areas of their lives. Paparazzi are following them outside the office, coworkers are treating them differently, and a "source" is feeding information to the media. But their only comment is "no comment".
With the launch of Jo's film project fast approaching, the two women begin to spend even more time together, getting along famously. Emma seems to have a sixth sense for knowing what Jo needs. And Jo, known for being aloof and outwardly cold, opens up to Emma in a way neither of them expects. They begin to realize the rumor might not be so off base after all...but is acting on the spark between them worth fanning the gossip flames?
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.
Something to Talk About was a S L O W B U R N romance that I mostly enjoyed. I thought their conflicts (they never really argued with each other) were petty and didn't warrant the level of avoidance and annoying childlike behavior that occurred, so that alone was super frustrating. One of my biggest bookish pet peeves is when something can be resolved with a simple conversation, so I hated that these two managed to make a misunderstanding - or maybe just a lack of shared information - last for weeks. It felt unnecessary and didn't really add anything to the overall story.
Emma gets her feelings hurt and doesn't tell Jo why she's upset. I'm still not convinced what she was upset about was really that big of a deal. It's not Jo's fault Emma never went to a baseball game, and her relationships outside of work really weren't any of Emma's business. Emma feeling slighted by not being told Jo was sitting at games with her sister... ugh, it was obnoxious. She ignored Jo and acted like a recalcitrant child. If the author didn't want us to think the age difference between the two was a big deal, Emma shouldn't have had the maturity of a teenager going through puberty. Jo eventually apologizes for not telling Emma, but it's still not something I think she should have had to do to appease her assistant. Additionally, Emma kept mentioning that she "deserved better," which is why she waited for Jo to apologize a second time (apparently the first time wasn't good enough), and it made Emma seem pretentious.
I also didn't like how long it took for the two of them to acknowledge their feelings for each other and actually act on them. Everyone can see that they're attracted to each other. We know what they're both thinking and feeling because of the dual POVs, but they don't discuss those feelings with each other because of their work relationship and power dynamic. Jo doesn't want to seem like she's taking advantage of her employee, and Emma doesn't know what her feelings really are until the very end. Despite her making awkward comments and being clumsy around her boss, she remained oblivious until the last few chapters. The thoughts were there, but it took her sooo long to admit anything to herself.
This book would have ended much sooner if Jo and Emma had been able to have honest conversations with one another. I really liked their relationship and the setting for the story (though I wish we'd seen more from the secondary characters), and thought their romance was sweet and subtle. However, I wanted more romance between the two of them, not restraint and unvoiced thoughts and feelings.
I really liked the concept Jo had for helping women who have been sexually harassed in the workplace (Hollywood specifically), and wish that had also been expanded on. I wanted to really dive into how that would work, and what it would take for women to feel safe coming forward with their experiences. I felt like it was mentioned for a few pages, but then never really addressed again.
Also, other than Evelyn and Avery, the secondary characters were flat and mostly off-the-page. Emma and Jo mention people occasionally, but it's mostly about Emma and Jo. If we were going to be stuck in their awkward, not-going-to-address-the-elephant-in-the-room brains, it would have been nice to see things outside of their immediate circle. A few times it felt like the author was going to branch out in a different direction, but then we'd come right back to all of the things Emma and Jo weren't saying to each other.
I thought the narrators (Jorjeana Marie and Xe Sands) were amazing! They really brought Jo am Emma to life and made me want to keep listening despite being annoyed with what was happening in the story. It's a short audiobook (a little over nine hours), which is probably why I listened to the whole thing. Wilsner created wonderful characters, but Emma's childlike behavior, their reluctance to talk about their feelings, and how long it took for the two of them to get together really diminished my overall enjoyment. (★★★☆☆)
Synopsis (via Goodreads): To All the Boys meets The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (with a dash of Dumplin’) in this funny, romantic, and heartfelt coming of age story about a teen stand-up comic learning how to be her truest self, from the author of If You’re Out There.
Gretchen has always been more of a “least likely” than a “most likely” kind of girl. So how does she somehow find herself living out every trope from her favorite rom-coms…?
The Best Friend Crush: Why is it suddenly so hard to act normal around her childhood BFF, Samuel? Must be time for a—
Makeover(!): Black leather pants and some red lipstick are apparently enough to lend Gretchen the bravado to do an impromptu set at a comedy club, and catch the eye of—
The Roguish Bad Boy: Jeremy, the alluring young comic who thinks her name is Sabrina. It might just be—
The Perfect Cover: A funny-girl alter-ego that frees Gretchen to explore who she really is—and what she really wants. But as rom-coms have taught her, leading a double life can only last so long.
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.
I absolutely loved The Girl Least Likely! I devoured the audiobook despite the synthetic voice (which weirdly worked for me this time), and cannot wait to purchase a physical copy for my shelves. Also, if I enjoyed a computer-generated narrator, then I can only image how good the actual audiobook is going to be (which says a lot about the story itself)! Loutzenhiser has created a remarkable story with relatable characters that I would love to be friends with. Gretchen and Sam, Jeremy and the rest of the comedians, Ethan and Natalie - all of them were wonderfully well-written and left lasting impressions.
Gretchen had a seemingly predictable teenage experience... pretended to be someone else while waiting for the other shoe to drop. However, Loutzenhiser adds a few unexpected twists to the story that I did not see coming, and those small additions completely changed the story for me. Gretchen knew her secret identity couldn't last forever, but she enjoyed the anonymity while doing stand-up comedy. She could be anyone - say anything - and it wouldn't directly affect Gretchen. She was wrong of course, because pretending to be someone else was bound to backfire eventually, but she also learned a lot about herself along the way. I really enjoyed following Gretchen's journey and felt like I was a part of her story. I also liked seeing how her character evolved over the course of the book - everything felt authentic and sincere.
While there are multiple love interests in The Girl Least Likely, it never felt like a love triangle. One is an unrequited love, while the other is new and unpredictable. Gretchen uses comedy to sort through her thoughts and feelings - making jokes about her life and those involved - and learns a lot about her family, friendships, and her own pessimistic perspective. Stand-up gave her an opportunity to say her thoughts out loud and express emotions she would normally bury. She didn't feel the need to hide when she was behind a microphone or in front of strangers in an audience, and I thought it was a clever outlet for her fears and insecurities. It was wonderfully unique and so interesting to read about. I love comedy and stand-up specifically, so it was fun to see a character explore those in a YA book.
I'm 85% sure all of the comedians mentioned in this book (the ones that were characters themselves and not just references) were fictional, but I really wish they weren't. Loutzenhiser manages to be funny and write jokes for multiple people. We don't just see Gretchen being funny on and off the stage, but the other comedians participating in the competition, as well as a famous comedian that Gretchen loves. The author manages to write unique stories for each secondary character, while also making them funny in their own way. I loved how diverse their material was, and that each person had a different way of doing comedy. Really, really well done.
I thought I knew how this story was going to play out, but I was happy to be wrong! The conflict was wholly believable and not at all cringey (no annoying tropes here). I hate when a story unfolds in a cookie cutter way, so I was pleasantly surprised when Loutzenhiser veered off course and made Gretchen's experience something totally new and completely unforgettable. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, keep a perpetual smile on your face, and has characters you'll love to root for - definitely add The Girl Least Likely to your TBR!
Side note: I loved the references to Samantha Bee (Full Frontal) and Parks & Rec.
Synopsis (via Goodreads): Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper, the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series is a clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice that reimagines the iconic settings, characters, and romances in a thrilling and high-stakes whodunit.
When a scandalous murder shocks London high society, seventeen-year-old aspiring lawyer Lizzie Bennet seizes the opportunity to prove herself, despite the interference of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious firm Pemberley Associates.
Convinced the authorities have imprisoned the wrong person, Lizzie vows to solve the murder on her own. But as the case—and her feelings for Darcy—become more complicated, Lizzie discovers that her dream job could make her happy, but it might also get her killed.
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.
I'm not a huge fan of the classics, but I'm pretty sure I read Pride and Prejudice in high school. I at least know the general storyline and have seen pieces of the movie (the one with Keira Knightley) that I also likely watched in school. (I was big on Spark Notes back then, and during the movie I was probably writing notes to a boyfriend or something equally ridiculous.) Why am I rambling about this? Because I have absolutely no idea why I requested this audiobook, but I am so very happy that I did! I really enjoyed Price's retelling of Lizzie and Darcy, and I even Googled comparisons throughout the book. She made me want to read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which is really saying something. The murder mystery was a wonderful addition to the story, and I really liked seeing Lizzie fight for herself and her future.
My one small complaint would be the lack of romance between Lizzie and Darcy, despite knowing it was accurate for the time period depicted within the book. I wanted heated looks and stolen moments, more bickering and hate-to-love vibes, even though it was obvious neither character would be so bold or forward with the other. Lizzie wants to one day be a respected barrister or solicitor, so she's willing to push past conventional norms to achieve those goals, but she still tries to adhere to society's rules and expectations regarding ladies and what's appropriate for them when men are involved (walking the streets unchaperoned, being alone in room with them, etc.) It doesn't always work out that way, but she is conscious of her actions and how they may appear to others. I just really wanted Lizzie and Darcy to have more passion and romance between them, but it was a small thing. I liked what was there, I just wanted more.
I really enjoyed seeing how certain events unfolded, and was very surprised by specific revelations (which probably had a lot to do with my vague recollections of the original story). However, I'm sure even the most avid Austen fan will like Price's spin on a beloved classic and the addition of a murder mystery. I thought Lizzie's relationship with her parents was relatable and authentic, despite wanting to shake her mother on more than one occasion. Her daughter's value shouldn't rely on what kind of marriage she can secure, and Lizzie's wishes should have been respected. I know it was common during the time period, but it was still frustrating to see her being ignored and pushed towards a life she clearly didn't want for herself. I also thought her relationship with her sisters was humorous and wish there'd been more interactions between them.
I don't want to say too much about the murder mystery itself, because I don't want to spoil anything on accident. Every clue and revelation meant something, so talking about any of the other secondary characters could potentially give something away. You should definitely go into this book with as little knowledge as possible! Already knowing and being familiar with Pride and Prejudice will give you some insight, but not enough to spoil the story. Definitely keep this book on your radar if you enjoy Austen, historical fiction, or murder mysteries. (★★★★☆)
Side note: Synthetic voices are weird. It sounded like a normal narrator, but it lacked variation. Every character sounded the same, there were no long pauses or heavy sighs, and you have to really pay attention to the details so you don't miss anything important. It's not horrible to listen to, but I would like to listen to this one again when it's properly narrated.
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