Category Archives: Book Review

Book Review: Christmas off Script by Evie Alexander

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Christmas off Script by Evie Alexander

A Romance Novel published by Emlin Press (11/04/24)

Summary:

Ella and Leo have always been best friends. They’ve known each other for so long and so well that they can easily finish each other’s…. Sandwiches. Ella has a lot going on. She’s been dumped by her long-term boyfriend. Her best friend, Leo, is only interested in her as friends but she’s always had feelings for him. Add to the mix her ex Zach coming back on the scene and her dad about to be released from prison. Leo is the perfect best friend but he’s always secretly had a crush on Ella. What will it take for them to overcome their fear of affecting their friendship and just admit their feelings and attraction for each other?

Keywords:

Friends to lovers, Christmas, Holidays, Foxbrooke, Christmas Panto, Cinderella, Steamy, Forced Proximity

My Review:

Friends to lovers is one of the best romantic tropes and this book delivers the bestest of best friends to fexiest of fexy lovers.

I love a good fairy tale retelling and this is a classic Cinderella retelling that features a story within a story – the pantomime mirroring real life throughout the novel.

Ella is funny, kind, smart, gifted, caring, thoughtful and stunningly beautiful – at least according to Leo. She fully embodies some of Cinderella’s qualities – kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and patience. Almost to a fault! I’m glad Leo was there to get mad on her behalf because Ella is the most understanding and forgiving person, and she doesn’t hold onto anger like so many of us. Leo is the friend who always loved her and will do anything for her, even just as a friend. He is obsessed with Ella in the best way, in the most unrealistic way, in the most fantastical swoon-worthy I-wish-Leo-was-my-best-friend-turned-lover way.

As soon as the heat picks up, there are quite a few sex scenes. The intimacy was also full of romantic sex tropes.

I absolutely love a good Holiday read; this one is full of the Holiday spirit. There are so many Christmas and British Holiday traditions, along with Ella and Leo traditions. I’d never heard of a Christmas Quiz before this book.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

This novel was published by Emlin Press on 11/04/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information

Goodreads

Book Review: Tell Me It’s Right by Katie Wismer

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Tell Me It’s Right by Katie Wismer

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Ahimsa Press (09/25/24)

Summary:

Gracie has spent months trying to get a job, even though she now has a college degree. Bills are due and she makes the tough decision to move back home. At least she’s not living with her parents, but her brother’s basement isn’t that much better. She gets pity hired by the local tattoo studio owner who also happens to be her brother’s best friend and her childhood crush. What could go wrong? Liam’s tattoo shop has never been profitable and he’s slowly running out of money. He needs to make the shop profitable and Gracie might be perfect for the job.

Keywords:

Romance, Tattoo, Baggage, New Adult, Recent Grad, Job Search, Small Town, Sibling, Best Friends

My Review:

I relate to Gracie so much. I also struggled to find any job, let alone a job that made use of my college degree, after graduation. It absolutely sucks to spend thousands of dollars on a required education and then not land a job. It sucks mentally. It sucks financially. I also spent time living at home post-graduation. Gracie is plagued by anxiety and spiraling thoughts. I also experience anxiety and felt an even closer kinship to Gracie through our anxieties. That’s where the similarities between us end as Gracie gets her romantic happily ever after with Liam and I get to live through her story.

 

Gracie and Liam’s story is very much alive through the plot and the writing. I’m not sure if Sweetspire is a real place but it was brought to life in this book. I imagined this book as an Amazon Studios romcom with all the right plot points and pacing. I can see a known B-list actor playing one of the lead roles.  I see it as a recommendation in the romance category. It’s a solid read as a book and would be a solid watch as a movie.

 

Contemporary romances are my favorite books to read and I’m thrilled that Katie Wismer continues to write in this genre as she is a wonderful writer. I love her writing style. She brings the setting and the characters to life and makes me want to live in her stories.

 

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

 

This novel was published by Ahimsa Press 09/25/24 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Katie Wismer’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Louie the Lynx and Ryan the Lion by Sarah Lahey

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Louie the Lynx and Ryan the Lion by Sarah Lahey

A Contemporary Romance Novel published by Cross Over Press (09/30/23)

Summary:

“Relationships didn’t just devour time – they ate entire days.” (Page 97).

Louie thinks romance is nonsense. But when Ryan McDermott, he of the throw down factor of nine and a half, excellent drawing skills, and very good apologies enters her life, she’s thrown for a loop. She doesn’t have time for love or romance, but Ryan is determined to win her over.

Keywords:

Opposites Attract, Romance, Contemporary, PHD, Teacher, Art, Communication, Dog, Attraction, Dreamer

My Review:

“Difficult things build resilience.” (Page 113).

Louie does not have her stuff together. She has so many issues – anxiety, time management, sometimes her self-esteem is so low – it’s a lot for anybody to take on. She doesn’t think she and Ryan can work out because of where she is in life. Ryan is an architect, champion of low-income housing, lover of kelpies, painter of orchids, owner of a rope chair, lover of light. Yet he also needs to be in control and won’t take no for an answer when it comes to certain things.

“She wouldn’t have called any of her past boyfriends men. But Ryan was a man. He had a profession and knew what he was doing with his life. He fitted comfortably into the world. A world that she often found complex and confusing.” (Page 190). Louie is describing Ryan as a man, but she really means that Ryan is adulting and has his stuff together. Louie thinks, in this way, that they’re opposites and how could they work out? She feels like she has nothing to offer.

Both Louie and Ryan are impossible and fascinating. “When it came to parking fines, Louie was risk averse. She would happily walk for twenty minutes.” (page 25). Yet her phone passcode is 0000. Sometimes she spends hours in a brain fog, unable to move, captured by her own fear. She is the exaggeration of all my own anxieties and depression. I really, really wanted to see her triumph over herself because it’s like she is my champion. If she can pull herself out of a slump, then so can I. I also related to Ryan and his need for unrelenting control. Without compromise and compassion for each other, a relationship would never work!

I love the writing style in this novel. It is clear, succinct, and straight to the point. Yet sometimes the description of light, paintings, and landscapes go on so long that I feel like I’m there. I can feel my own response to the gray day with unending rain giving me Seasonal Affective Disorder (even though it’s summer and not a cloud in the sky where I live right now).

If you liked the show Lessons in Chemistry and you like to read contemporary and/or romance novels then you would enjoy this book.

This novel was published by Cross Over Press 09/30/23 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

Sarah Lahey’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: To Catch a Monkey by Richard Read

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To Catch a Monkey by Richard Read

A Middle-Grade Novel Independently published (01/28/2024)

Summary:

It’s not Calista Snipe’s job to support her family. Money is tight and when she is presented with an opportunity to help she’ll jump at the chance. The local zoo has lost their precious monkey and they’re offering a good reward for information leading to his capture. Calista, along with her friends, will learn about this special monkey but they’re not the only ones looking to snag the reward money. She’ll have to outsmart older kids, desperate criminals, and maybe even a monkey!

Keywords:

Puberty, bullying, friendship, problem-solving, sleuthing, teamwork, bravery, monkey

My Review:

First Reviewed through Reedsy Discovery.

Small problems seem like big problems for the young protagonist. Any time one problem is solved or suddenly less of a big problem, a new problem pops up for her. Not all issues are equal; some require help, critical thinking, or creative problem-solving. Some are even more moral dilemmas than physical problems. The first problem to solve is about the bully from the bus. Then it’s her family’s financial stability. Then it’s the missing monkey. Then it’s what to do with the monkey after they find it. And so on. There are teachable moments throughout the story that ground it in the middle-grade category.

The plot is quite simple but touches on some more advanced topics. I was a little surprised that the story included drugs, kidnapping, and drinking. The bad guys are seen in their daily lives, which is not always the case with stereotypical bad guys!

At times I could tell that this was not the first book in the series, but it does stand on its own. If you want to get to know the characters more then you should probably start at the beginning of the series, but it was fine to start with this book as the author does a good job building the backstory, setting, characters, and story.

The pacing was good and the story kept me entertained, especially as it was a third-person narrative that kept switching perspectives. I really liked Otis’ brief yet distinct character arc. It was nice to see Calista’s friendship with Skyler (especially as they are different genders and that can sometimes be a point of tension).

This is a solid middle-grade book with easy-to-read writing. Sometimes there are word definitions to help out younger readers. Sometimes some pictures add to the descriptions and are fun to look at while reading.

This novel was Independently published on 01/28/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 3.50

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Book Review: The Throwaway Queen (Ushallav’s Queen series) by Whitney McGruder

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The Throwaway Queen (Ushallav’s Queen series) by Whitney McGruder

A Fantasy Novel published by Bowker (08/01/22)

Summary:

“There is always a happy ending beyond the horizon. We must only search for it.” (Kindle Page 138).

After her caravan was attacked, Queen Anjali barely escaped with her life and that of her unborn child. She was cautioned to stay away until the identity of the attacker was discovered but it has been over two years since Anajali has seen her firstborn son, husband, and kingdom. On her way back to her rightful place, she is determined to figure out what happened and reunite with her family but in her absence, many things have changed.

Keywords:

Fantasy, Action, Adventure, New Adult, Warrior Women, Unlikely Allies, Blended Family, Royalty, Mystery, Murder

My Review:

I enjoyed reading about a strong female heroine who is also a mother. Anjali has to protect both her family and her position. How do mature people navigate something like this? I greedily read every scene, thought, and piece of dialogue related to this conflict.

The aspect of blended families was also interesting to me. I liked how Anjali wasn’t just one characteristic, she was appropriately complex and had a rich and intriguing backstory. She isn’t just a mother. She isn’t just a warrior. Anjali was the best character. She was so balanced as a person and she is presented with such impossible situations! But the times she became frustrated she did have a reaction (which I appreciated).

I liked the mixing of sub-genres. This book had fantasy, action, romance, and mystery. There were layers to the book to unpack. I was curious about the world-building environment and the unfurling mystery as well as seeing how the relationships were going to break or strengthen.

I enjoyed reading about Anajali’s culture and traditions and wanted more of them and more descriptions. They weren’t always alive and tangible to me as an outsider. I didn’t fully feel the discrimination Anjali faced but I did feel her frustrations. I felt more sympathy for her regarding the gendered discrimination than the racial discrimination.

I loved the eventual reveal of the villain! It was a bit of a twist and I didn’t see it coming. It felt both satisfying and conclusive

This novel was published by Bowker on 08/1/2022 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Whitney McGruder’s Website

Book Review: Ugliest by Kelly Vincent

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Ugliest by Kelly Vincent

A YA Novel published by KV BOOKS LLC  (08/13/24)

Summary:

Nic is back in Oklahoma City’s boarding school. This school is so much better than the small-town high school they had been going to but Oklahoma is still a very conservative landscape. It isn’t just Nic experiencing discrimination but also their gender non-conforming friends. It’s a battle that’s becoming bigger than them but this time there might be even uglier consequences to speaking up.

Keywords:

YA, Contemporary, Bullying, Gender Nonconforming, Identity, Art, Introvert, Questioning, Labels, LGBTQ+ themes

My Review:

“Things were looking up, but looks could be deceiving.” (Page 17).

Nic is back, anxiety and all! The quote above encapsulates how Nic goes through the world. Even when things are going well, there’s always an edge of possible negativity and a sliver of anxiety. Nic’s anxiety is obvious, loud, and all over their life. And that is sometimes how anxiety is. For those without anxiety, maybe seeing it portrayed continuously in Nic’s inner voice will help them understand what living with anxiety is like and how that manifests in everyday interactions, actions, and thoughts.

Nic is more than just their anxiety. Nic is blossoming into a complex and very interesting person with their own personality, desires, and needs. Gender nonconforming and non-binary are two terms that are so general that it can be difficult to understand what they mean. As a reader, I get to live the everyday reality of what it means to be non-binary with Nic and their friends. I think all of Nic’s friends are gender nonconforming but they embody their own gender (or non-gendered) identities in unique and very personal ways. I appreciated getting multiple aspects and perspectives on gender and non-binary in this novel.

This novel takes Nic and their identity from discovery to action. Trans rights are human rights. LGBTQ rights are human rights. If they start taking away human rights for a group that identifies in one way, what’s to say they won’t come for others? It is up to Nic and their friends to stand up for their rights as individuals, as humans, and as people representing a vulnerable population. But with that action comes consequences and it’s so powerful to see such active characters. It was very rewarding to read this book and to see Nic and their friends stand up for themselves. The ending was also very rewarding, especially through all the aggressions Nic faces during this series.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.

This novel was published by KV BOOKS LLC  on 08/13/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.00

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Kelly Vincent’s Website

Book Review: Atomica: Between Sea and Sky by Heather McKenzie

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Atomica: Between Sea and Sky by Heather McKenzie

A Fantasy/Sci-Fi Novel published by House of Hebyzie (08/27/24)

Summary:

“If you’re not doing things the hard way, then you’re not living…” (Page 40, ebook).
“Never judge based on appearances. Sometimes the most unassuming can be the deadliest.” (Page 114, ebook).

Eva is a protector. Even when she fails in her duty and is captured, her loyalty and determination do not falter. Kade is a hunter on a mission. When Eva and Kade are shipwrecked together, they will be forced to rely on each other to survive. But it’s not just the two of them on the island. Mysterious forces, harsh weather, deadly animals, and the villainous Raiders stand between them and their survival.

Keywords:

Capture, Escape, Hiding, Secrets, Mission, Mind, Protection, Shelter, Island, Power, Fight

My Review:

In a perfect mashup between fantasy and science fiction, I’m compelled by both main characters Eva and Kade. They both have a strong, compelling, nearly single-minded purpose. In the beginning, we learn that Kade’s and Eva’s missions are at odds with the other’s. And then they meet. When will they discover what the other is hiding and how will that turn out when they are slowly becoming more and more reliant and trusting of each other? I couldn’t put the book down until the inevitable happened. The build-up to the end was a slow burn of constant tension that kept me at the edge of my seat frantically turning pages.

It annoyed me that Kade could quiet down the force that propelled him to his mission at all costs when he didn’t believe he was laser-focused on the end goal. He knew he was getting sidetracked by Eva. I didn’t believe him when he tried to persuade the force that what he was doing would ultimately serve the end goal. I’m waiting to see how this force and Kade’s free will ultimately clash.

My favorite character, though, was the conflicted Rowan of the Raiders. We see him through Eva’s story as he doesn’t have his own narrative. One of Eva’s first encounters with him shows that he is not who he appears to be. This mystery pulled me to the end almost as much as the tension between Eva and Kade and the survival story that ties the characters together.

I’m excited to see where this story goes next and what is going to happen to Rowan, Eva, Kade, and Zolaya.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.

This novel will be published by House of Hebyzie on 08/27/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50

Links for more information:

Heather McKenzie’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: The Love Position by Evie Alexander

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The Love Position by Evie Alexander

A Romance Novel published by Emlin Press (07/23/24)

Summary:

“People who do bad things are very good at hiding what they do, and we’re so trusting because it would never occur for us to beave the same way.” (Page 352, Kindle Edition).

Sophia Hunter-Savage has been through a lot lately!  After discovering yoga with the local hot yet unavailable Isaac, she decides to spend her summer on a remote island for an intense yoga instructor training course. Isaac doesn’t want to break his vow and his new student Sophia has awakened in him something he hasn’t felt in years. He runs away to his ashram to get away from temptation and back on the path of inner peace. But Sophia’s new yoga course and Isaac’s ashram are one and the same and neither can deny the forbidden attraction. 

Keywords:

Romance, Contemporary, Standalone, HEA, Forced Proximity, Steamy, Yoga, Retreat

My Review:

Talk about toxic environments! This yoga intensive seems so far from what I think of as the practice of yoga. How ironic for Sophia that she just wanted something relaxing to focus on for the summer and this ‘retreat’ is anything but. I remember the shy and keeping-to-herself Sophia as a brief character in other Foxbrook novels. What I recall of her is that she wouldn’t stand up for herself and she’s been thrust into an environment so difficult to get through. The rules of the yoga retreat are terrible and seem so counter to health and happiness. Sophia will have to go through so much to discover what she’s made of and how much she’ll take before speaking up and out. Is there a fine line between discipline, rigorous practice, and being at peace and one with others? It is places like this Ashram and the leader who give yoga communities a bad name. This place is more like a cult than a community. Even the less timid best friend Sophia makes at the retreat, Jessica, doesn’t fight back against some of the rules. They did pay a lot of money to be there, so it must be worth it? When the abusive relationship between this Ashram and its students is finally broken, it was so satisfying! 

I liked how this Caribbean setting really gives Sophia the chance to have her story. Her family and the Foxbrook crew are so lively and larger-than-life that Sophia would fade into side character territory in their midst. Sophia shows real grit and perseverance at this yoga retreat, to the detriment of her health and happiness. In the end, everything turns out alright. 

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

This novel was published by Emlin Press on 07/23/2024 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information

Goodreads

Book Review: Bitterroot: A Novel by Suzy Vitello

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Bitterroot: A Novel by Suzy Vitello

A Socio-Political Fiction Novel published 5/21/2024 by Sibylline Press

 

Summary:

In a small town in the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho, Hazel works as a forensic artist. She mostly keeps to herself but is suddenly thrust into the midst of her brother’s chaotic struggle. Kento and his partner are using a surrogate to have a baby. In Idaho. With an ex-girlfriend who is married. What could go wrong in a conservative town full of anti-LGBTQIA sentiment and guns?

Keywords:

Crimes, abortion laws, LGBTQIA rights, prejudice, suspense, racism, same-sex marriage, rights, romance, second chances, grief, familial drama

My Review:

The main character Hazel can diffuse so many potentially violent situations but the chaos just keeps coming into her life. She is still processing her childhood trauma when her husband suddenly and abruptly dies. Thrust into this new grief, it’s fascinating to watch Hazel navigate her new life. And then again her life is thrust into chaos when Kento, her brother, decides to get involved with an ex-girlfriend who is still married. Why would he choose someone like her to be a surrogate? Corinda, the ex, seems highly unstable and unpredictable and yet the author humanizes her through Hazel. I feel exasperated by the situation. It becomes harder and harder to blame Corinda though, as more and more of the story and past unfolds. Each character is complex, layered, and both a product of the environment and their conservative upbringing. In this way, the characters come to life as real people with real lives and real motivations.

The story, more than the characters, is larger than life as the chaos unfolds. I was riveted by the story. What could possibly happen next? It all seems unreal but makes sense in the context of the setting and the community the author crafts in this fictional small town. Step across the border from Washington into Idaho and you step into a different world. A world with fewer rights for LGBTQIA folks. A world with a different political and social atmosphere. A world with different laws and legislation.

There are so many themes/sub-plots intertwined that I had so much to think about as I was reading and getting sidetracked by the main story. I could probably have an hours-long discussion of all the myriad issues brought up in this book, including same-sex marriage and rights, grief and death, family drama, small-town struggles, and LGBTQIA rights and struggles.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced novel with multi-faceted characters and striking setting.

This novel was published by Sibylline Press on 5/21/24 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 5.00

 

Links for more information:

Suzy Vitello’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Uglier by Kelly Vincent

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Uglier by Kelly Vincent

A YA Novel published by KV BOOKS LLC  (08/01/23)

Summary:

Nic is back – this time at a boarding school in Oklahoma City. Still mistaken for a boy, even in the bigger city, Nic is still discovering her own identity and who she wants to be. This is the fresh start she’s been wanting, but there are new growing pains in this new environment.

Keywords:

YA, Contemporary, Bullying, Gender Nonconforming, Identity, Art, Introvert, Questioning, Labels, LGBTQ+ themes

My Review:

“My mere existence seemed to be a problem for some people.” (Kindle Edition).

Nic’s perspective continues to be true, full of anxiety, and full of heartbreak. Her thoughts still skew negative and anxious but with tones of hope and self-bolstering. Within the new school, she knows that she has the opportunity to rewrite her story a bit, to be more confident, to be perceived differently even if people try to push her into a box. Continuously, Nic is mistaken for a boy (especially given her height), multiple times in the very first chapter and throughout the novel as well as in different places and contexts. It’s sad to think that there are places where people are still shocked at those who dress more androgenously or don’t conform to societal ‘norms’ for female or male presenting selves. I do disagree with Nic that ‘normal’ girls always wear makeup but perhaps that was my upbringing.

There were multiple aspects of gender and identity presented in this book and all of Nic’s new friends were part of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. I liked how this book dived deeper into different experiences and how the characters’ lives were affected by their gender identities. “This was the whole problem with the binary, and the way other people felt like they had the right to determine your gender.” (Kindle Edition). I loved that there are multiple fiction books mentioned that also touch on themes of identity.

It was neat to see Nic grow in this second novel and I can’t wait to read more of their journey in book three of the series.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.

This novel was published by KV BOOKS LLC  on 08/01/2023 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.00

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Kelly Vincent’s Website