a_stylish_bookworm's Reviews (1.53k)

This was an entertaining expose memoir of the author's time working for American Apparel at its peak of popularity in early 2000. 

I remember how the ads were a bit sex and nostalgic nod to the 70s and didn't really know about how models were basically store employees. We really get a sense of how crazy it was for the company that seems so forward yet it was not. 

I was aware of Dov Charney and his sexual scandals that were exposed and this author's tale really affirms his behavior.

I was eagerly waiting for the final book to Cecilia and Gabe's story with so much happening in book 2. 

I wanted to see growth in both of these characters but unfortunately did not see that in book 3. I felt there was a lot of the same behaviors from both of them..should they stay together or not. Of course, they are horny college students and can't keep them apart. 

I was not really satisfied with how Cecilia's attackers situation concluded and wanted more justice for her. 

I did enjoy the strong bond between the soccer players and Gabe learning to build relationships with his step siblings.

Thank you @hambright_pr for a copy of this book.

Catherine Cowles does such a fantastic job with romantic suspense. I love both Rhodes and Anson so much. Rhodes is in the process of a big renovation project and her foster brother's best friend, Anson, is helping with it. He is grumpy but so attentive to her needs.

Both of them had such a great growth journey. I really enjoyed the suspense of this story and how that was revealed who the villan was.

I love the small town vibes and the found family theme. Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber did a fantastic job with the narration.

I was so excited to read this because of "The Holiday" movie vibe and it's set during week of Christmas. We have Chelsea and Ramona exchanging homes for their personal reasons to get away. 

We get to see both of the weeks in their new environment and growth journey for both. They both meet someone and it was just a bit too insta love for me.

I appreciate that the author brought up some heavier topics like racism in the story and woven it into the story well. 

Thank you @bibliolifestyle and publisher for a copy of the book.

This was an interesting story of 3 women in different timeline and shares a common thread. I enjoyed all 3 of their stories and felt for them and their struggles.

I enjoyed the sprinkle of magical realism. The 3 voices of the narrators did a great job. 

Romance fans...add this to your TBR!! I loved this debut rom com. It's such a fun tribute to 90s rom com movies and all the tropes. We have Sawyer, a romance writer with writers block and doesn't believe inn romance and Mason, a true romantic. They start off with a great meet cute and decide to help each other out. 

There is just so many great moments and all the supporting characters added so much to the story. I could not put this down and devoured it.

Thank you @readforeverpub for a copy of this.

I really enjoyed the first book so I was excited to read Sloan and August's story. August is one of the owners of the cupcake store who is also a famous athlete and is BFF with Sloan's brother. 

A situation goes viral and Sloan ends up being the social media content manager for the store and takes advantage of August's viral moment for the new location. 

There's history between the two and we get to see what happened 12 years ago. 

I enjoyed their interaction but didn't really love how other treated August. Like total strangers grabbing him just felt so odd. There was a lot of subplots which I also enjoyed. 

I enjoyed the narration by Jaime Lincoln Smith, Nia Serge.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the audiobook.

This was such a dark read that I wasn't prepared for it. It's about the underbelly of San Francisco set in Tenderloin district with murders of drug users and prostitutes. 

We have Lennon who is partnered an FBI, Ambrose to investigate these murders. They have an attraction to each other and there's some romance between them. I felt the romance needed more development and it felt more like they were using each other for company. 

The murder mystery was interesting and I enjoyed the POV of Jett. Though it was pretty obvious who Jett was, I didn't not see how he became who he was. 

I think the story has some interesting ideas of how to rehabilitate trauma and to come out of it. 

Thank you to the publisher @netgalley for a copy of the book.

At the heart of this is a love story between Sam and Xavier who meets and ends up figuring out a long distance relationship. Can I say that Xavier is now my favorite book boyfriend - he was attentive and caring. 

The family dynamics for Sam hit me hard. I am going through a similar situation and it was hard to see how it impacted all the family members. I loved how supportive they were and seeing their ups and downs. 

Abby is the queen of making you laugh one moment and then cry the next. There are so much humor even with the heavy topics. 

Thank you @readforeverpub for a copy of this book.

I felt like I was watching an episode of Hawaii 5-0 while reading this debut author. 

We have Maya, an ex-reporter going back to Hawaii to be a ghost writer for a land developer. Once she is back in Hawaii, she ends up in the middle of a murder investigation and reconnects with her high school sweetheart who is a detective. 

What I loved about the story is I felt like I was right back home with mentioning local restaurants and traditions. I enjoyed the characters and really loved how the story portrayed how everyone knows everyone in the island. 

I didn't guess the killer and enjoyed how it all tied up. 

I appreciate that that author actually wrote conversations with pidgin since that is 💯 accurate. 

Jennifer Robideau did a great job with the narration with the pronunciation of Hawaiian words as well using pidgin. 

Thank you @crookedlanebooks @netgalley for a copy of the audiobook.