Take a photo of a barcode or cover
anabel_unker's Reviews (1.16k)
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
In MARLOWE BANKS, REDESIGNED, aspiring costume designer Marlowe Banks is stuck in a dead-end assistant job on the set of popular (if drawn-out) tv series. Haunted by her previous failures, Marlowe has convinced herself this is the best she can do. After a cliche'd "Oops I spilled hot coffee on you!' and impromptu casting as a background character, Marlowe finds herself sharing a smoldering (and viral) stare down with the tv series lead, Angus.
Soon, Marlowe finds herself becoming friends with the man she initially cast as shallow and mean-- and as she discovers the good and bad side of living your life in public, she manages to do a few of things: find confidence in herself and her designer abilities, become a better friend to her amazing coworker Cherry, and fall in love with someone who can't guarantee privacy.
The frenemies to lovers trope was thoughtfully and skillfully written, and I loved how the relationship between Marlowe and Angus felt like it developed naturally. The characters were real and flawed, and even when they weren't likable they were relatable. This book is charming and was such a joy to read!
In MARLOWE BANKS, REDESIGNED, aspiring costume designer Marlowe Banks is stuck in a dead-end assistant job on the set of popular (if drawn-out) tv series. Haunted by her previous failures, Marlowe has convinced herself this is the best she can do. After a cliche'd "Oops I spilled hot coffee on you!' and impromptu casting as a background character, Marlowe finds herself sharing a smoldering (and viral) stare down with the tv series lead, Angus.
Soon, Marlowe finds herself becoming friends with the man she initially cast as shallow and mean-- and as she discovers the good and bad side of living your life in public, she manages to do a few of things: find confidence in herself and her designer abilities, become a better friend to her amazing coworker Cherry, and fall in love with someone who can't guarantee privacy.
The frenemies to lovers trope was thoughtfully and skillfully written, and I loved how the relationship between Marlowe and Angus felt like it developed naturally. The characters were real and flawed, and even when they weren't likable they were relatable. This book is charming and was such a joy to read!
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Disgraced, embarrassed, and more than a little disheartened, Lucy Giannetti takes a major chance and moves to France from the United States to help run a provincial hotel. The only problem? Lucy didn't exactly read the fine print of her contract and finds a bit more of a job waiting for her than she expected.
LUCY CHECKS IN is a charming, slow-paced book perfect for someone wanting a heart warming story about found family's. The main character, Lucy, is a woman nearing her fifties with little to show for her illustrious life as a premier hotel manager. She flees from her reputation to another continent, where she finds a new home among a rather rag-tag group of people and a historic home needing a little love.
Her relationship with Bing, a fellow inhabitant, felt more like a side note-- so I don't agree with classifying this novel as a romance. The ending was rushed, especially after such a leisurely pace until the last few chapters, but overall this book was enjoyable. I loved that Lucy was an older protagonist than commonly seen in women's fiction, and I believe that (new and old) fans of Dee Ernst will be delighted with this new book!
Disgraced, embarrassed, and more than a little disheartened, Lucy Giannetti takes a major chance and moves to France from the United States to help run a provincial hotel. The only problem? Lucy didn't exactly read the fine print of her contract and finds a bit more of a job waiting for her than she expected.
LUCY CHECKS IN is a charming, slow-paced book perfect for someone wanting a heart warming story about found family's. The main character, Lucy, is a woman nearing her fifties with little to show for her illustrious life as a premier hotel manager. She flees from her reputation to another continent, where she finds a new home among a rather rag-tag group of people and a historic home needing a little love.
Her relationship with Bing, a fellow inhabitant, felt more like a side note-- so I don't agree with classifying this novel as a romance. The ending was rushed, especially after such a leisurely pace until the last few chapters, but overall this book was enjoyable. I loved that Lucy was an older protagonist than commonly seen in women's fiction, and I believe that (new and old) fans of Dee Ernst will be delighted with this new book!
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
The third book in the Shetland series by Erin Green, SUNNY STAYS AT THE SHETLAND HOTEL follows three characters as they settle into a season of growth at the Shetland Hotel. While not necessary, I would recommend reading the first two books in this series to fully appreciate this latest installment-- as a new reader, it was obvious I was missing some of the references to past plots, but it wasn't necessary for understanding the novel as a whole.
The three women, Pippa, Natalia, and Autumn, do mix and mingle-- but most of their stories take place separately. Pippa, used to being painted as a quitter and the youngest in her family, struggles to prove herself competent and kind to her community while finding love along the way. Natalia is a hand/makeup model returning to try and revive an old flame, but after a medical emergency she has to reflect on what she truly wants out of life and who she can rely on for support. And Autumn, the new hotel manager with OCD tendencies, strives to find a more sustainable work/life balance in her new surroundings.
This book would be a great choice for someone looking for a sweet, simple read or past fans of Green's work.
The third book in the Shetland series by Erin Green, SUNNY STAYS AT THE SHETLAND HOTEL follows three characters as they settle into a season of growth at the Shetland Hotel. While not necessary, I would recommend reading the first two books in this series to fully appreciate this latest installment-- as a new reader, it was obvious I was missing some of the references to past plots, but it wasn't necessary for understanding the novel as a whole.
The three women, Pippa, Natalia, and Autumn, do mix and mingle-- but most of their stories take place separately. Pippa, used to being painted as a quitter and the youngest in her family, struggles to prove herself competent and kind to her community while finding love along the way. Natalia is a hand/makeup model returning to try and revive an old flame, but after a medical emergency she has to reflect on what she truly wants out of life and who she can rely on for support. And Autumn, the new hotel manager with OCD tendencies, strives to find a more sustainable work/life balance in her new surroundings.
This book would be a great choice for someone looking for a sweet, simple read or past fans of Green's work.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
In the newest installation of Nancy Barone's Cornish series, Faith is an interior designer in a tumultuous relationship with her chart-topping rockstar boyfriend. After being unceremoniously dumped, she finds herself suddenly tasked with bringing their shared beach home back into it's former glory with the help of a local joiner and her employees.
STARTING OVER AT THE LITTLE CORNISH BEACH HOUSE wasn't my favorite. The overall plot was lacking, the main driver a disastrous miscommunication trope that was pretty much brushed over at the end. I also felt like the characters were all flat-- none of them had more than one or two notes, which made the book difficult to enjoy for me.
SOATLCBH is a rom-com beach read. It will be a great pick for someone looking for a predictable, unrealistic romance that can be read quickly.
In the newest installation of Nancy Barone's Cornish series, Faith is an interior designer in a tumultuous relationship with her chart-topping rockstar boyfriend. After being unceremoniously dumped, she finds herself suddenly tasked with bringing their shared beach home back into it's former glory with the help of a local joiner and her employees.
STARTING OVER AT THE LITTLE CORNISH BEACH HOUSE wasn't my favorite. The overall plot was lacking, the main driver a disastrous miscommunication trope that was pretty much brushed over at the end. I also felt like the characters were all flat-- none of them had more than one or two notes, which made the book difficult to enjoy for me.
SOATLCBH is a rom-com beach read. It will be a great pick for someone looking for a predictable, unrealistic romance that can be read quickly.
*I received a copy of this audiobook on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
In THE WEDDING SEASON, Freya finds herself in a broom cupboard, the day before her wedding, dumped by her partner of twelve years. Arguably a horrid situation for anyone to find themselves in, but the situation is compacted by the fact she has an additional seven weddings to attend during that summer season.
This book was everything I wanted and more. Not a traditional rom-com book (i.e. no heavy handed romance or spicy passages), TWS is an utterly charming book about how a woman rebuilds her life with the help of her friends and family. There is a love interest, but he doesn't appear until well into the book, and their relationship is not something the story centers on. The book primarily focuses on the emotional journey Freya undertakes as she adjusts to being single for the first time in over a decade; aided by her fantastic best friends and their well-intended, if not bizarre, task list to get her through each wedding.
The narrator, Daphne Kouma, did a phenomenal job. She breathed life into the characters and story, and did a wonderful job of adding her own hilarious flair to Freya's (many) mental cartwheels and side tangents. Part of the reason I adored this book so much was because of how real Freya felt-- her development felt natural and well earned, and Kouma's performance made her feel even more like a friend rather than a character.
THE WEDDING SEASON is perfect for fans of realistic chick lit, for people who love to laugh at silly antics, and for those who enjoy people finding love in its many forms.
In THE WEDDING SEASON, Freya finds herself in a broom cupboard, the day before her wedding, dumped by her partner of twelve years. Arguably a horrid situation for anyone to find themselves in, but the situation is compacted by the fact she has an additional seven weddings to attend during that summer season.
This book was everything I wanted and more. Not a traditional rom-com book (i.e. no heavy handed romance or spicy passages), TWS is an utterly charming book about how a woman rebuilds her life with the help of her friends and family. There is a love interest, but he doesn't appear until well into the book, and their relationship is not something the story centers on. The book primarily focuses on the emotional journey Freya undertakes as she adjusts to being single for the first time in over a decade; aided by her fantastic best friends and their well-intended, if not bizarre, task list to get her through each wedding.
The narrator, Daphne Kouma, did a phenomenal job. She breathed life into the characters and story, and did a wonderful job of adding her own hilarious flair to Freya's (many) mental cartwheels and side tangents. Part of the reason I adored this book so much was because of how real Freya felt-- her development felt natural and well earned, and Kouma's performance made her feel even more like a friend rather than a character.
THE WEDDING SEASON is perfect for fans of realistic chick lit, for people who love to laugh at silly antics, and for those who enjoy people finding love in its many forms.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.*
FAT GIRLS HIKING is an anthology of hiking tips, personal essays, and ADA trail reviews. A companion to Fat Girls Hiking (FGH) on instagram (@fatgirlshiking), this book has the feel of more of a collaborative effort between the author and founder, Summer Michaud-Skog, and her community. Michaud-Skog and her publishing team has done an amazing job of making a truly beautiful book-- the graphics and photographs highlight the powerful anecdotes and Michaud-Skog's writing.
This book is not so much a detailed guide as a piece of inspirational literature. It covers so many topics of outdoor enjoyment-- hiking, biking, rock climbing, and van life-- and the way people in the FGH community have carved a place for themselves and their fellow fat and disabled ladies. The book also addresses many of the issues deeply ingrained in outdoor communities-- racism, fatphobia, and ableism-- in sensitive and meaningful ways. Several of the anecdotes discuss the difficulties of not only being fat and in the outdoors, but also the additional complexities of being a person of color in the outdoors and/or being disabled.
If you're looking for more in depth information on the technicalities of finding a properly fitting backpack or sleeping bag, this is not the book for you. However, if you're looking for inspiration on enjoying the outdoors and a community of supportive women, then search no more!
FAT GIRLS HIKING is an anthology of hiking tips, personal essays, and ADA trail reviews. A companion to Fat Girls Hiking (FGH) on instagram (@fatgirlshiking), this book has the feel of more of a collaborative effort between the author and founder, Summer Michaud-Skog, and her community. Michaud-Skog and her publishing team has done an amazing job of making a truly beautiful book-- the graphics and photographs highlight the powerful anecdotes and Michaud-Skog's writing.
This book is not so much a detailed guide as a piece of inspirational literature. It covers so many topics of outdoor enjoyment-- hiking, biking, rock climbing, and van life-- and the way people in the FGH community have carved a place for themselves and their fellow fat and disabled ladies. The book also addresses many of the issues deeply ingrained in outdoor communities-- racism, fatphobia, and ableism-- in sensitive and meaningful ways. Several of the anecdotes discuss the difficulties of not only being fat and in the outdoors, but also the additional complexities of being a person of color in the outdoors and/or being disabled.
If you're looking for more in depth information on the technicalities of finding a properly fitting backpack or sleeping bag, this is not the book for you. However, if you're looking for inspiration on enjoying the outdoors and a community of supportive women, then search no more!