I rarely DNF books, especially when I'm close to the end.  But I can't handle family gaslighting.  And when it become apparent there wa no overcoming...when the harmful family dynamics were just accepted... I couldn't keep reading. 

Many thanks to @flatiron and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies

 

“Sometimes we need help to not drown in a glass of water.”

 

Write this down… Cara Romero will stay with you long after you finish this book.  

 

Deeply heartfelt yet brimming with humor.  This is THE audiobook experience of the year.  

 

Cara Romero, a 56 year old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, is looking for work after the 2008 recession closed the factory in which she was previously employed.  As Cara navigates the unemployment program and its 12 interview sessions, the program questions turn into a monologue of her life story from successes to failures, from joys to sorrows.

 

Desahogar: to un-drown, to pour one’s heart out

 

As Cara poured her heart out, I listened, fully enrapt.  Her need for connection was equally met by my need to hear more of her story.  Her voice is frank, distinct, and eccentric.  Cara’s wit allowed her (sometimes melancholic) reflection to feel light, even laugh out loud funny at times.  

 

“It will not be easy to say I am American, because when someone says American, they don’t imagine me.”

 

Deeply impactful and full of honest contemplation, Cara’s ruminations give a voice to some of the most pertinent struggles of our time: immigration, gentrification, unemployment, caring for elderly, poverty.  

 

This was not my normal audiobook experience.  This was a production, as though I was a fly on the wall, hearing each and every noise during the sessions…water being gulped, chairs moving, pencil scratches, typing, and so much more.  The narration by Rossmery Alamonte and Kimberly Wetherell was truly exceptional.  Alamonte brought Cara to life in a bold and vivid manner.  

 

If you enjoy audiobooks, this one is not to be missed.  

 

 

Many thanks to my partner @prhaudio for this gifted copy.  

 

Tender and totally seductive with a side of holiday cheer.  I am still <swooning> over this book (and Colton Wheeler 🔥).

 

This romance was chock-full of things I love:  

🎄Found family

🎄Christmas magic

🎄Charming cast of supporting characters

🎄Grumpy/sunshine (but reverse!)

 

Add to that

🎄Second chance romance

🎄A likeable celebrity

🎄Open door spice

🎄An actual PERFECT ending

 

Do you see why I am still swooning???

 

Grumpy Gretchen is an immigration lawyer that is disgusted by greed and power.  Her goal is to work hard and make a difference in society… but at the expense of her own personal life.  Sunshiny Colton is a country star stuck in a music rut and hankering for love.  Together, they are fireworks.  But he has to convince her that their spark is creating a lasting fire.  

 

I’m really not sure I could’ve loved this story more.  It perfectly balanced the gentle love with the fiery chemistry.  The characters felt authentic with multi-faceted lives, and the relationship between them just made sense.  Two pieces of a puzzle.  This could easily have been an any-time-of-year romance.  But that scene where they decorate the Christmas tree was the extra holly jolly I needed!  

 

This is my first read in the Bromance Book Club series, and I have no idea why I waited so long.  I’ll be rectifying that asap!

 
I was putty in Andrew Eiden’s hands as he narrated Colton’s story. I think this book is a winner either way, but the audiobook was *chef’s kiss.*

 

 

Thank you to @smp @minotaur and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies of this book. 

 

Gritty and dark.  This is one disturbing read.

 

Clive Reynolds and his 1978 Porsche Widowmaker went missing nearly 20 years ago.   

 

Morgan Mori swore she’d never again set foot in Black Harbor, the setting of her traumatic childhood.  But a cryptic note and a skeleton key unexpectedly pull her home. 

 

When the detective on the Clive’s cold case is murdered in front of Morgan, a disturbing web of connections and lies begin to unravel.  And it just might lead to… a total ruin. 

 

Morrisey creates an atmosphere for Black Harbor that is palpable.  Bleak and dreary.  Between its seedy criminal underbelly and the oppressive snow and bitter cold, I felt weighed down and utterly chilled.  

 

But it was the lies and deceit that led to the intensity within this book.  Deception that led to disturbing scenes of abuse and murder.  This might not be a Stephen King horror story, but when a red balloon showed up, it was equally menacing.

 

Heed the content warnings.  This one is graphic and involves child abuse.  

 

While I appreciated the dual narrative storytelling, it didn’t translate as well in the audiobook.  Separately, both narrators, Xe Sands and Adam Verner, well portrayed their characters.  Cumulatively, the narration didn’t match.  The speed with which the two narrated varied greatly, and I found myself constantly speeding up or slowing down the audio.   This small frustration built as the story progressed, and for that reason, I’d recommend the print version.  

 

Thank you to @prhaudio for this #gifted copy.  

 

A quick, entertaining yet ominous novella.  No one creates atmosphere like St. James, and given the length of this story, it’s obvious she doesn’t need a lot of words to accomplish it!

 

Broadway actress, Ginette, leaves NYC for the suburbs in hopes of finding peace and quiet.  Instead she finds herself trapped in a rental, and it’s not quite clear whether it’s due to her own hysteria or some kind of haunting.  

 

While Ginette is the main character, it is really the house that stands out, becoming its own character.  Ominous.  Eerie.  Alive.  I appreciated how it was much more than a mere backdrop.  

 

At only 2 hours 50 minutes, this audiobook is a super quick listen.  But it’s Brittany Pressley’s narration that keeps you hanging on.  Her nuanced depiction created the perfect ambiance… both creepy and nostalgic of the 50’s.  This is definitely the way to go for this story.   

 

Of note: I’m not generally a fan of the “crazy woman” trope.  But the way it’s handled by St. James, it was apparent early on that there was much more to Ginette, and the idea of her craziness took a backseat to all of the other aspects that were much more interesting.   

 

 

Many thanks to my partners @flatironbooks and macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies. 

When a fraternity member is murdered on the UGA campus, long held secrets and deep seated corruption will be challenged.

What’s the difference between strong, pertinent messaging and messaging that gets muddled because of the author’s immense emotion over the topic? 

I’ve thought about that a lot after finishing The Resemblance. 

It’s important to note that I, too, have a personal connection to this book:
🐾 I am a lifelong Georgia Bulldog. My grandfather nurtured this love from a very early age. And I’ve walked thousands of steps on that campus.
🐾Fraternity life enhanced my college experience and continues to enrich my life years later. 

So when Nossett took direct aim at both Greek life and university politics, my senses were piqued. 

Important for me to clearly note: As a Greek, I fully support a spotlight on the potential for power to be misused within fraternities or universities. Deadly hazing is *never* acceptable. And any effort to bring awareness, fictional or factual, on corruption within the Greek or university systems is always warranted. 

So why then did the messaging go askew in this book? It was (overtly) apparent that Nossett wasn’t looking to create awareness. Rather, she had an ax to grind. 

Instead of allowing the storyline to explore the complexities and atrocities, the approach was bombastic, turning into something harsh and cynical. And because of that, the storyline took a backseat to her personal vendetta and didn’t work. 

On the positive, the eerie atmosphere of the book was established early on. It was what drew me into the book from the beginning. Ominous and dark, this college campus backdrop for murder was well done. 

Unfortunately, even the best atmosphere cannot overcome inexcusably poor messaging, glaring plot inconsistencies, and disjointed writing. 

As I often do, I partnered the physical and audio copies of this book. Saskia Maarleveld has become a favorite narrator, and her gritty portrayal in the book really worked. 

Many thanks to @prhaudio for the #gifted audiobook!

 

“Grief was the exact opposite. It was full and heavy and drowning because it wasn't the absence of everything you lost - it was the combination of it all, your love, your happiness, your bittersweets, wound tight like a knotted ball of yarn.”

 

Quick, quirky read with great banter and surprising depth.  

 

Florence Day is a ghost writer for an iconic romance novelist (no, it’s not CLo, even though her dad thought it might be) with a looming deadline that her (oh-so-hot) new editor won’t extend.  On top of that, she no longer believes in love (thanks Mr. NOT Right), and her dad has just died, forcing her to return home to face the ghosts of her past.  It would seem her editor’s death would lessen the worry over the manuscript, but then he turns up on her family’s doorstep.  

 

A ghost writer who sees ghost?  Completely ridiculous.  Yet it created the ideal juxtaposition between the peculiar and the relatable.  

 

I grabbed this book for the romance and humor.  I had no idea how a paranormal romance would even work, but work, it did.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected to swoon over a ghost.  But let me tell you… I did.  I totally did.  

 

While the slow burn romance is what pulled me in and kept me engaged, the look at finding happiness, returning home, and grappling with forgiveness provided a depth that resonated, making this much more than just a typical rom-com.  

 

Between the pitch perfect banter, the poignant look at grief, and a swoon-worthy ghost, it’s no wonder this book has received so much hype.  

 

I partnered the audiobook with a physical copy, and it’s hard to decide which I preferred.  Eileen Stevens narration was exactly what I wanted it to be, perfectly balanced and nuanced.  But I also wanted to read this book much more quickly than my audiobook would allow…minor inconvenience for sure.  Bottom line, I’d recommend both!  You really can’t go wrong with either version.    

 

Of note, Dead Romantics was a @gmabookclub pick earlier in the year. 

Many thanks to my partners @ecco @harperaudio and @libro for the #gifted copies

 

“The edge is a shantytown filled with gold seekers. We are fugitives, and the law is skinny with hunger for us.”

 

Eccentric and rebellious.  What a wild ride.    

 

Wilson’s novels brazenly break free of any molds.  His stories are bizarre and original and untethered.  So much so, that they are best experienced rather than analyzed.  

 

Frankie and Zeke.  One summer.  One copy machine.  Out of a need to be seen and to feel connected, they created iconic art.  It could be argued that it was the most profound art Coalfield had ever seen.  But that small town wasn’t ready for the profound.  And full blown panic ensued creating The Coalfield Panic of 1996.  

 

This coming of age story perfectly depicts that awkward stage of puberty. Surviving in the fray.  Full of longing and deeply lonely.  Wanting to be seen yet not wanting the spotlight.  Frankie and Zeke exuded the confusion and complexities of teen years.   

 

While predominantly a story about human evolution, I found the town’s evolution to be an interesting mirror and warning.   Mired in emotion, a mere poster, artistic and banal in nature, becomes a catalyst for a quick and bold undoing.  A small town, peacefully functioning until hysteria and fear created a full blown frenzy.  

 

And, unfortunately, the messaging is valid given the state emotion based frenzy we see all throughout society.   

 

The one miss… and it did feel like a big miss to me… the book just ended.  Open endings can work well.  But this didn’t just feel open.  It felt stunted.   

 

By it’s bizarre nature, this book won’t be for everyone.  And it’s important to note that where I found his last book bizarre yet fun, this one landed in the bizarre yet evocative.  

 

I partnered my physical and audiobook versions, and both worked equally well.  It’s worth noting that Ginnifer Goodwin is the narrator or this book.  Just as she commands a stage, she also commanded this performance.  And it was a delight to listen to her.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It’s a leap of faith to love people and let yourself be loved. It’s closing your eyes, stepping off a ledge into nothing, and trusting that you’ll fly rather than fall.”

Fresh, cozy, and adorably witchy!  

Apparently the combination of a surly librarian, meddling housemates, multicultural witches, and enchanted tea is the exact right mix to fully enchant me! 

To be honest, I went into this book looking for a palette cleanser.  (The nightmares from my horror reads were getting to me!)  But what I got was so much more, and to call this book a palette cleanser doesn’t do it justice.  

Ironically, not only did this book exceed my expectations, it also landed at the top spot out of all my October spooky reads.  

Mika Moon lived a solitary life, partly because she was an orphan and partly because she was a witch.  But what was life without connection?  One day, she received an unexpected offer to tutor 3 orphaned witches.  And while Mika knew it wasn’t a good idea for multiple witches to live together, she couldn’t resist.  
 
The magic within this book:

-The found family trope is my absolute favorite, and the way Mandanna approaches it in this storyline felt authentic and sincere.  
-That brooding Irishman… my oh my…he made this background, slow burn romance worth the wait!
-The side characters, from precocious young witches to prying gay uncles, provided the ideal backdrop (with heart and humor) that allowed Mika Moon to reflect on her past and embrace a new path for her future.  
-All around great representation in the main characters and throughout the storyline.  
-Often books like this tend to be high in “cheese” factor.  But Mandanna has the proportions right in this one, allowing this story to exude just the right amount of delight without the corniness.  

If you’re looking for a book that wraps you in a warm hug, don’t pass this one up.  This witchy read will fill your heart no matter the season.  

Thank you @prhaudio for the complimentary audiobook! 

Many thanks to @foreverreads and @hachetteaudio for the #gifted copies. 

 

Forewarning:  it’s not Paris’ baking that is crumbling.  It’s him.  

 

Set amongst the backdrop of a cooking competition, Hall’s newest book is an intense portrayal of clinical anxiety and the toll it takes on living life to its fullest.  You’ll find no rom-com here.  Only a struggling, messy protagonist.

 

I ask a lot of questions.  It helps me to feel prepared. I have a strong need for consistency.  At any given time, my mind can create the most outrageous scenario(s) to current life situations.  This is how anxiety can impact my life when left unchecked.  

 

Reading a book where a character represents something of yourself can feel so freeing.  And there were parts of Paris’ journey that resonated.  

 

Yet, Paris’ experience was almost unbearable.  Was it because his every thought was so excruciatingly detailed? Was it because he didn’t receive treatment until the end?  Was it because, while not my experience, it is a very valid and hard truth?  I’m not sure. 

 

Though I had reservations about the anxiety portrayal, I was fully engaged in the self-realization that happened once Paris sought help.  Seeing a character willingly change, putting effort into growth… now that, I am here for!  Anxiety is manageable.  That is the most important takeaway from this book.  

 

Parts of the story that held up:

-Great British Bake Off vibes… We return to the same show, Bake Expectations, which is brilliantly executed with the same quirky atmosphere

-Jennifer the producer, my favorite from the first book, is back with more great lines!   

-Eclectic mix of supporting characters to include four Daves and a fat Glaswegian sex goddess

-A cat named Neferneferuaten 

-Recipes at the end of the book!  I love those extra details!

 

Paris Daillencourt is About to Crumble is the second installment in the Winner Bakes All series.  Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake is my favorite thus far, but I’ll definitely be looking out for book #3.   

 

This is a book you want to listen to.  Ewan Goddard’s depiction of Paris in the audiobook was nuanced and gave an authenticity to Paris’ gamut of emotion.  I’m also a sucker for a good accent, and Goddard’s was lovely.