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amy_alwaysreading
This hallmark-esque Christmas romance hits all the Cs— cozy, cute, and charming!
Years ago as a child, Charlotte starred in one of buzziest holiday movies. Now the movie team is considering a reboot, and she wants nothing to do with reprising her role. With fans fuming, she escapes to London to ride out the drama. Only somehow, she finds herself falling for a man that has ties to the movie.
London is one of my favorite cities any time of year. But when it’s all dressed up for Christmas, that’s when it really shines. So even with our FMC, Charlotte, hating Christmas, the London backdrop didn’t allow her grumpiness to diminish the festivity in this holiday romance.
I appreciated watching Charlotte’s perspective change as the MMC, Graham, introduced her to various estates around London— each decked out in their holiday finery, of course.
Between the carolers, the sheep, and the one bed, this turned out to be a light and easy read with just enough laughs and a proper amount of spice.
🎧 Read by award winning narrator, Nikki Massoud. Her performance abilities really shone as she believably switched between an American and British accent for our main characters. And her depiction of Charlotte’s change in demeanor endeared me to the character by the end of the read.
Many thanks to my friends at @atriabooks and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copy of this book.
Years ago as a child, Charlotte starred in one of buzziest holiday movies. Now the movie team is considering a reboot, and she wants nothing to do with reprising her role. With fans fuming, she escapes to London to ride out the drama. Only somehow, she finds herself falling for a man that has ties to the movie.
London is one of my favorite cities any time of year. But when it’s all dressed up for Christmas, that’s when it really shines. So even with our FMC, Charlotte, hating Christmas, the London backdrop didn’t allow her grumpiness to diminish the festivity in this holiday romance.
I appreciated watching Charlotte’s perspective change as the MMC, Graham, introduced her to various estates around London— each decked out in their holiday finery, of course.
Between the carolers, the sheep, and the one bed, this turned out to be a light and easy read with just enough laughs and a proper amount of spice.
🎧 Read by award winning narrator, Nikki Massoud. Her performance abilities really shone as she believably switched between an American and British accent for our main characters. And her depiction of Charlotte’s change in demeanor endeared me to the character by the end of the read.
Many thanks to my friends at @atriabooks and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copy of this book.
The gowns. The makeup. The drama! There’s no cozy in this mystery, hunny. It’s all campy fun!
It was like any other night in the dressing room as everyone glammed up for their turn on stage. Drinks. Gossip. Chocolate. But when Misty Divine found her mentor unalived while wearing a dress that was once owned by Judy Garland, drama ensues, and the show quickly came to an end.
If you’ve ever seen details of an actual police investigation and thought, “That’s not how they do it on Criminal Minds,” then Misty Devine is just the investigator you’ve been waiting for!
With a vibrant cast of drag queens and kings, this mystery oozed joy and charisma. The storyline was zany and oh-so-entertaining, and the representation was well done.
Getting to know the complexities of our MC, Joe/Misty, was an impactful part of the story. By day, Joe was quiet and shy. But Misty Divine, their drag counterpart, was confident and bold. This dichotomy added a depth to the storyline, and I think it will feel very relatable to many.
This book is the first in a series, and Murd3r in the Dressing Room ends with another mystery already brewing. I’ll be eager to see how Misty unravels the next one!
🎧 If you’re looking for the full drag queen experience with this read, grab the audiobook. It’s narrated by none other than drag sensation Holly Stars herself, and her performance oozes personality and vibrance.
Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book. #berkleypartner #berkleybookstagram
It was like any other night in the dressing room as everyone glammed up for their turn on stage. Drinks. Gossip. Chocolate. But when Misty Divine found her mentor unalived while wearing a dress that was once owned by Judy Garland, drama ensues, and the show quickly came to an end.
If you’ve ever seen details of an actual police investigation and thought, “That’s not how they do it on Criminal Minds,” then Misty Devine is just the investigator you’ve been waiting for!
With a vibrant cast of drag queens and kings, this mystery oozed joy and charisma. The storyline was zany and oh-so-entertaining, and the representation was well done.
Getting to know the complexities of our MC, Joe/Misty, was an impactful part of the story. By day, Joe was quiet and shy. But Misty Divine, their drag counterpart, was confident and bold. This dichotomy added a depth to the storyline, and I think it will feel very relatable to many.
This book is the first in a series, and Murd3r in the Dressing Room ends with another mystery already brewing. I’ll be eager to see how Misty unravels the next one!
🎧 If you’re looking for the full drag queen experience with this read, grab the audiobook. It’s narrated by none other than drag sensation Holly Stars herself, and her performance oozes personality and vibrance.
Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book. #berkleypartner #berkleybookstagram
Engrossing. Layered. Jaw dropping!
I’m always up for a scandalous, drama filled binge read. But this read went beyond just dishy fun. It became a need—no—an OBSESSION for me to devour every delicious detail as fast as I could. And when I wasn’t actively reading, I was thinking about when I could read next!
Every aspect of this book kept me hooked. The window into the world of competitive figure skating. The portrait of orphans determined to overcome odds and win a gold medal. The white-hot passion of all consuming love. The rivalries. The jealousy. The ruthless ambition. Each facet of this fast-paced storyline was intensely engaging.
I often find dramatic storylines to be drenched in emotion. But here, not only did the emotion feel complex and dynamic, but it also never felt overwrought. Rather, it highlighted the pressure filled environment and accentuated the blurred lines and gray areas in a way that amplified the arc of the story.
The depth to the characterization and storyline often had me reaching for my phone as though these were real people in real competition. I wanted to Google them. I wanted to watch their performances and read the tabloid articles.
As fast as I flew through this nearly 500 page read, I found myself distraught when it was over. This masterfully woven tale of ambition and passion held me tight in its grip, and it’s not one I’ll soon forget. An easy 5⭐️ favorite.
🎧 This audiobook takes the GOLD MEDAL! No doubt, this will be one of my favorite audiobooks of the year. Christine Lakin perfectly embodies the broad range of Kat Shaw’s complex nature—from talent and determination to raw ambition. A full cast brilliantly executes the documentary sections, but it’s ice-skating legend, JOHNNY WEIR, that stands out from the rest, stealing the show.
Many thanks to my friends at @prhaudio and @librofm for the free #gifted copies of this book.
I’m always up for a scandalous, drama filled binge read. But this read went beyond just dishy fun. It became a need—no—an OBSESSION for me to devour every delicious detail as fast as I could. And when I wasn’t actively reading, I was thinking about when I could read next!
Every aspect of this book kept me hooked. The window into the world of competitive figure skating. The portrait of orphans determined to overcome odds and win a gold medal. The white-hot passion of all consuming love. The rivalries. The jealousy. The ruthless ambition. Each facet of this fast-paced storyline was intensely engaging.
I often find dramatic storylines to be drenched in emotion. But here, not only did the emotion feel complex and dynamic, but it also never felt overwrought. Rather, it highlighted the pressure filled environment and accentuated the blurred lines and gray areas in a way that amplified the arc of the story.
The depth to the characterization and storyline often had me reaching for my phone as though these were real people in real competition. I wanted to Google them. I wanted to watch their performances and read the tabloid articles.
As fast as I flew through this nearly 500 page read, I found myself distraught when it was over. This masterfully woven tale of ambition and passion held me tight in its grip, and it’s not one I’ll soon forget. An easy 5⭐️ favorite.
🎧 This audiobook takes the GOLD MEDAL! No doubt, this will be one of my favorite audiobooks of the year. Christine Lakin perfectly embodies the broad range of Kat Shaw’s complex nature—from talent and determination to raw ambition. A full cast brilliantly executes the documentary sections, but it’s ice-skating legend, JOHNNY WEIR, that stands out from the rest, stealing the show.
Many thanks to my friends at @prhaudio and @librofm for the free #gifted copies of this book.
Gay Uncle Patrick AND a trip through Europe? What could be better? (Spoiler: nothing.) Full review to come.
There's just something in the way Ann writes. Full review to come.
Oh, my heart!
From the very beginning I was fully absorbed. The small town. The hockey team and school. These broken people that became my family.
This was a deeply impactful journey that felt so raw and so real.
Kyle and Casey had the perfect love story. Until they didn’t. Told in dual timelines, the relationship is vividly portrayed. All the complexities. All those nitty gritty details, good and bad. So much love. So much pain. And that title question, “What happened to the McCrays?, ruminated throughout the plotline. How could this happily ever after become so mired in pain?
There’s an emotional gravity to the unpacking of Kyle and Casey’s story as it moved from tragedy to healing, and that amplified the beauty found in their love. I rooted for them. I longed for them to find their way through the grief.
But it’s not all about Kyle and Casey. There is an extraordinary cast of supporting characters. (I adored Wyatt and wanted much more of his story!). Truly, Lange has a knack for creating a community that feels like home.
She also has a knack for writing complex storylines that resonate. Her books make me think and feel. They are packed with humanity, never shying away from the hard parts but also leaving me uplifted and hopeful in the end.
This book is a little different from her other two. There’s no Irish heritage intertwined, which I did miss. And instead of siblings, it’s focused on a marriage. But, make no mistake, Lange continues to be at the top of her game even as she ventures into new territory.
Another 5⭐️ winner. Maybe, dare I say, her best yet?!
🎧 Narrators William DeMerritt and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker breathed life into Kyle and Casey. Their performances well embodied the range of nuanced emotions, from fear to vulnerability to warmth and to tenderness.
Thank you @celadonbooks and @macmillan.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.
From the very beginning I was fully absorbed. The small town. The hockey team and school. These broken people that became my family.
This was a deeply impactful journey that felt so raw and so real.
Kyle and Casey had the perfect love story. Until they didn’t. Told in dual timelines, the relationship is vividly portrayed. All the complexities. All those nitty gritty details, good and bad. So much love. So much pain. And that title question, “What happened to the McCrays?, ruminated throughout the plotline. How could this happily ever after become so mired in pain?
There’s an emotional gravity to the unpacking of Kyle and Casey’s story as it moved from tragedy to healing, and that amplified the beauty found in their love. I rooted for them. I longed for them to find their way through the grief.
But it’s not all about Kyle and Casey. There is an extraordinary cast of supporting characters. (I adored Wyatt and wanted much more of his story!). Truly, Lange has a knack for creating a community that feels like home.
She also has a knack for writing complex storylines that resonate. Her books make me think and feel. They are packed with humanity, never shying away from the hard parts but also leaving me uplifted and hopeful in the end.
This book is a little different from her other two. There’s no Irish heritage intertwined, which I did miss. And instead of siblings, it’s focused on a marriage. But, make no mistake, Lange continues to be at the top of her game even as she ventures into new territory.
Another 5⭐️ winner. Maybe, dare I say, her best yet?!
🎧 Narrators William DeMerritt and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker breathed life into Kyle and Casey. Their performances well embodied the range of nuanced emotions, from fear to vulnerability to warmth and to tenderness.
Thank you @celadonbooks and @macmillan.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.
“Before I look down, I know it’s there. The crow’s head I was clutching in my dream is now in bed with me.”
Haunting and eerie. Johns’ debut adds a fresh voice to the Indigenous horror genre.
I’m not one to scare easily, but when Kenzie awoke to find the dead crow from her dream in her actual hand, I was shaken. Violent and disturbing, Kenzie’s ongoing dream sequences are written with such vivid imagery that they became a visceral experience.
This unique premise and chilling narrative created a looming sense of unease that terrified and engaged in equal portion. Johns masterfully infused Cree traditions, folklore, and history within the plot giving powerful insight and amplifying Indigenous issues.
And while much of the story centered around Kenzie’s exploration of self, the overarching theme examined grief’s presence, from both personal experience and generational trauma. It’s an affecting journey that magnified the bonds of community, family, and friendship allowing a beautiful blending of horror and heart.
🎧 The audiobook is expertly narrated by award winning artist, Tanis Parenteau, a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta (Cree). Not only did she bring an authenticity to the Cree characters, she also well depicted the horrifying tone of the text. Her performance also amplified the raw emotion experienced by our FMC, Kenzie.
Many thanks to @prhaudio for the free #gifted copy of this book.
Haunting and eerie. Johns’ debut adds a fresh voice to the Indigenous horror genre.
I’m not one to scare easily, but when Kenzie awoke to find the dead crow from her dream in her actual hand, I was shaken. Violent and disturbing, Kenzie’s ongoing dream sequences are written with such vivid imagery that they became a visceral experience.
This unique premise and chilling narrative created a looming sense of unease that terrified and engaged in equal portion. Johns masterfully infused Cree traditions, folklore, and history within the plot giving powerful insight and amplifying Indigenous issues.
And while much of the story centered around Kenzie’s exploration of self, the overarching theme examined grief’s presence, from both personal experience and generational trauma. It’s an affecting journey that magnified the bonds of community, family, and friendship allowing a beautiful blending of horror and heart.
🎧 The audiobook is expertly narrated by award winning artist, Tanis Parenteau, a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta (Cree). Not only did she bring an authenticity to the Cree characters, she also well depicted the horrifying tone of the text. Her performance also amplified the raw emotion experienced by our FMC, Kenzie.
Many thanks to @prhaudio for the free #gifted copy of this book.