a_stylish_bookworm's Reviews (1.53k)

This was a departure from Baldacci's books with the setting of end of WWII and a story about 3 individuals that are brought together because of it. The story is about survival and helping each other. There's a bit of mysteries in the story but most of all this is about being human. All 3 main characters were likable and my heart ached each time they experienced a setback. 

The story was well told but it was just a little long for my liking. There were parts I felt was unnecessary. I did enjoy the full cast of characters (i; Stewart Crank; Alexandra Boulton; John Lee; Nicola F. Delgado; Matthew Lloyd Davies; and Joe Pitts) did a great job bringing the story to life. 


Thank you @grandcentralpub @hachetteaudio for a copy of this.

This story is about Cassie and Zoe who are sisters that became famous for 1 album in the 2000s. The story is about what happened to these sisters and why they never produced another album. Told in present time in Cherry's POV, she is daughter of Zoe and her quest to pursue her dream she learns more about her mom's former life. 

I enjoyed reading the rise for Griffin Sisters and it made it frustrated how selfish Zoe was. I was curious about what happened that caused the riff between the sisters even though you sort of know. 

There were some things that I thought was a bit left unfinished for me. Bix was one item that was talked about but wasn't really addressed - it felt almost unnecessary. I also thought the reconciliation between Zoe and Cassie was just a little too easy after 18 years of not talking to each other. 

Thank you @williammorrowbooks for a copy of this.

There's so much I loved about this story from the uptight Daniela working on the most important assignment of her career to the suave elusive music star, Rene, to the beautiful setting of Puerto Rico. Daniela was a great FMC with the stress of holding her family together to still grieving her father's death. 

I enjoyed seeing her journey to crack the nut of her newest client, to get him to open up and get what she needs for her assignment. Puerto Rico was such an integral part of the story and it was told so beautifully. 

As this is a romance story, I did not buy the romance. Nothing with their interactions hinted at their desire. They had a few moments of hanging out together and the slowest of burn. 

Thank you @readforeverpub for a copy of this book.

Thank you @prhaudio @putnambooks for a copy of the audiobook. 

I highly recommend you read The Light We Lost which is Gabe and Lucy's story from 10 years ago. This story sets place 10 years later when Lucy finds a note from Gabe in a box and she goes to Europe to find traces of Gabe and see what happened there.

We see Lucy still grieving Gabe and her life now. I adore her children and how involved she is with them. She has an amicable relationship with her ex-husband Darren and his wife Courtney. Now with everything from the past back again, their relationship is tested. 

The story is beautiful and I love the introduction of Dax and giving Lucy a chance at love again. 

Jill Santopolo did a great job bringing her story to life.

It was great to be Black Harbor and to see Hazel and Kole reconnect 8 years later from Hello, Transcriber. Black Harbor continues to be a big focal point in the story and it's still dark and gritty. 

Hazel returns when her ex husband is found dead. Kole is investigating the murder and there's lots of mystery with his dead that brings up other deaths. 

I enjoyed the pacing of the story and seeing Hazel and Kole's attraction reignite. 

Though you can read this as a standalone, I do recommend at least reading Hello, Transcriber to give you backstory on both of the characters as well as the town. 

Angela Dawe and Robb Moreira did a great job with the narration and bringing in the darkness of the town. 

Thank you @minotaur_books @macmillan.audio for a copy of this thriller.

Elsie Silver has done it again!! This series is so good and this time we have Tabitha comes to Rose Hill to gain custody of her nephew, Milo when her sister dies. She learns that Milo is being taken care of Rhys, the landlord. 

The marriage of convenience and Tabitha and Rhys is so good. Rhys is very closed off and has a secret job. I love how Tabitha incorporates him into the town and breaks done his walls. 

This can be read as a standalone but highly recommend reading the other books to get the depth of each couple and their story. 

There's no 3rd act break up which just kicks it up a notch.

The narration of Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood brought these two to life.

This was my first book by Pavlov and it certainly won't be the last. This was such a fun small town, fake dating love story. Lulu is staying at Rafe's brother's rental home while he is staying at the main home. Lulu is dating his brother and they are mixing like oil and water. 

She needs help with a fake boyfriend to get her family off her back. Somehow, they both end up helping each other and the fake dating goes on and they start developing feelings. 

They are is fun together and I love both of their growth journey. This was one fun rom com and now I need to go back and read the first book in the series. 

The narration of Sean Masters and Vanessa Edwin brought out the character's to life. 

Thank uou @valentine_pr_ for a copy of the audiobook.

I found my new book boyfriend with Miles!!! This series just keeps getting better. I love the forbidden romance between Miles and Leighton. 

They were so good together and I love how they tried to resist each other but just could not with their attraction. There were so many sexy moments but I think my favorite is when they recreate their boudoir photoshoot. Gasp! That was hot!!

The 4 dogs was a lot of fun and added so much humor to the story. Birdie, Miles' grandmother was a hoot and brought so fun as well. 

I always love a duet narration by Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke knocked it out!

Thank you @hambright_pr @laurenblakelybooks for a copy of the audiobook.

Wow this book truly was something unexpected! I always love a story when a younger person befriends an elderly and the friendship between Eleanor and Grandma is so special. 

The banter between Beck and Eleanor was perfection. I love how strait laced Beck is and how Eleanor got him to unwind a little. Their attraction was off the charts. 

Without giving away any of the story, this story took an unexpected turn and added so much depth and emotions to the story. I cried a few times. 

The narration of Teddy Hamilton and Andi Arndt was so perfect for the story.

I read Kill For Me, Kill For You and knew I had to read more from Cavanagh. I didn't realize this was part of a series but I didn't feel lost at all.

Ruby who was living in wealth and lost it all because of her father is now a maid for the wealthy. She was walking home and witness a murder. Instead of calling the police, she decides she can use this an opportunity. 

The story is told in multiple POV and there's a lot of characters to keep track. I could not put this book down. I enjoyed Ruby's POV and what motivated her and also Eddy's POV and how he was creative with his defense. 

I highly recommend this if you enjoy morally grey characters and legal thrillers.

Thank you @atriabooks for a copy of this book.