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anabel_unker
*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*
Steamy right of the bat (or hockey stick), THE AU PAIR AFFAIR is for lovers of he-falls-first, age differences, opposites attract, employee/boss, and single father romances.
Tallulah can’t believe her luck when she lands the prime job as hockey star Sir Burgess’ nanny. The single dad is definitely out of his depth with his rapidly maturing twelve-year old daughter, and Tallulah not only loves the girl but also the luxurious accommodations while she finishes grad school. However, neither adult can deny the immediate magnetic attraction between them, and it won’t be long before sparks fly.
As far as the romance goes, let’s just say the tension is off the charts with no break. While there is a third act break up, these two characters are so in love (and lust) with each other it’s hardly believable they won’t end up together. Tessa Bailey has once again created a romance I enjoyed from cliches I typically avoid– and to that I have to tip my proverbial hat.
While it did feel like she created these characters from a generator (a Turkish marine biologist ends up with a divorced pro hockey player– that’s quite the combo), the story was still fun and spicy.
Steamy right of the bat (or hockey stick), THE AU PAIR AFFAIR is for lovers of he-falls-first, age differences, opposites attract, employee/boss, and single father romances.
Tallulah can’t believe her luck when she lands the prime job as hockey star Sir Burgess’ nanny. The single dad is definitely out of his depth with his rapidly maturing twelve-year old daughter, and Tallulah not only loves the girl but also the luxurious accommodations while she finishes grad school. However, neither adult can deny the immediate magnetic attraction between them, and it won’t be long before sparks fly.
As far as the romance goes, let’s just say the tension is off the charts with no break. While there is a third act break up, these two characters are so in love (and lust) with each other it’s hardly believable they won’t end up together. Tessa Bailey has once again created a romance I enjoyed from cliches I typically avoid– and to that I have to tip my proverbial hat.
While it did feel like she created these characters from a generator (a Turkish marine biologist ends up with a divorced pro hockey player– that’s quite the combo), the story was still fun and spicy.
*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*
Savannah Moore (or, "Moore the Bore" as her classmates deemed her after being broken up with by her boyfriend, Caleb) is on a mission in life. And like all good missions, she has every step planned out carefully and probably in a color-coded organizational system. The only thorn in her side is her family-frenemy Tanner Woods. Breezy, funny, and extremely popular, Tanner is everything Savannah can't stand. So, when their families are stuck together on an Alaskan cruise for their parents' work, Savannah's plan is to just get through the vacation as quickly as possible. However, as they spend more time together, Savannah begins to reveal Tanner's hidden depths and when the two concoct a plan to help Savannah win back her ex, Savannah may realize there's more to life than staying within your comfort zone.
I am a simple person-- given me a grumpyxshunshine, frenemies-to-lovers, girl-power YA romance set on an Alaskan cruise and I'll typically be a happy reader. However, HEARTS OVERBOARD absolutely blew me out of the water. The character development, the plot line, and even the romance was so thoughtfully done and fun to read. This is my first Becky Dean book, but it definitely won't be my last!
Savannah Moore (or, "Moore the Bore" as her classmates deemed her after being broken up with by her boyfriend, Caleb) is on a mission in life. And like all good missions, she has every step planned out carefully and probably in a color-coded organizational system. The only thorn in her side is her family-frenemy Tanner Woods. Breezy, funny, and extremely popular, Tanner is everything Savannah can't stand. So, when their families are stuck together on an Alaskan cruise for their parents' work, Savannah's plan is to just get through the vacation as quickly as possible. However, as they spend more time together, Savannah begins to reveal Tanner's hidden depths and when the two concoct a plan to help Savannah win back her ex, Savannah may realize there's more to life than staying within your comfort zone.
I am a simple person-- given me a grumpyxshunshine, frenemies-to-lovers, girl-power YA romance set on an Alaskan cruise and I'll typically be a happy reader. However, HEARTS OVERBOARD absolutely blew me out of the water. The character development, the plot line, and even the romance was so thoughtfully done and fun to read. This is my first Becky Dean book, but it definitely won't be my last!
*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*
During the horror of World War One, soldier Nick Burns is faced with a decision that haunts him for the rest of his life. Jenny is a waitress at IHOP, her own life mistakes making her desperate to escape her circumstances. A lonely presepio artist creates the Museum of Tears, preserving the emotions of his fellow Neapolitans for decades.
Gorgeously written and emotionally moving, THE STOLEN CHILD intricately weaves the lives of these three people in a heartbreaking and poignant story about humanity, loss, forgiveness, and what it means to find your life purpose.
This story was beautiful. It's melancholy, but has subdued depths and incredible character development. While it's not difficult to figure out the broad strokes of the mystery, there was still a twist I didn't see coming (or maybe I didn't want to see it coming) and a reminder that sometimes it's better to know the full story even if it hurts.
During the horror of World War One, soldier Nick Burns is faced with a decision that haunts him for the rest of his life. Jenny is a waitress at IHOP, her own life mistakes making her desperate to escape her circumstances. A lonely presepio artist creates the Museum of Tears, preserving the emotions of his fellow Neapolitans for decades.
Gorgeously written and emotionally moving, THE STOLEN CHILD intricately weaves the lives of these three people in a heartbreaking and poignant story about humanity, loss, forgiveness, and what it means to find your life purpose.
This story was beautiful. It's melancholy, but has subdued depths and incredible character development. While it's not difficult to figure out the broad strokes of the mystery, there was still a twist I didn't see coming (or maybe I didn't want to see it coming) and a reminder that sometimes it's better to know the full story even if it hurts.
*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*
Both Erin Connolly and James Parr are at a crossroad in their lives. Erin, still grappling with the devastating loss of her childhood best friend to cancer, is struggling with her mental health and a toxic work environment-- as well as the realization she had no idea how to be happy in her current life. James travels back and forth between his London home, where he works as a very successful business man despite his dream of becoming a writer, and his hometown of Frome where he helps his mother during the violent bouts of her uncontrolled bipolar disorder. Both are desperate for a change, for some way to move forward in their lives, but lack the impetus to make it happen.
In a fit of Marie Kondo inspiration, Erin accidentally donates a deeply beloved and incredibly annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, and, when she realizes her accident it's too late. However, a few days later, the book reappears with additional annotations. What follows is an exchange of classic literature and a connection between two lost souls that may help them both into the next chapter of their lives.
As many other reviewers have noted-- THE BOOK SWAP is not a romance. Is there romance? Yes. However, it's a slow burn that The primary focus of this books is the character's grappling with grief and loss, mental illness (specifically depression and bipolar disorder), forgiveness, bullying, cheating, an unexpected pregnancy, and quarter-life crisis'. There's a lot packed into the book folks. And a lot of it is handled thoughtfully and realistically, however, I struggled to connect with the FMC, Erin.
Erin is an inherently selfish and obtuse. She refuses therapy and help from her sister (who happens to BE a therapist) despite struggling with occasionally debilitating depression and hallucinating her dead best friend. Erin also refuses to listen to other people's points of view, and while this is addressed during the course of the story, it's hard to sympathize with someone who has ruined several relationships because she lacks basic empathy and the ability to listen while she's hurting (and she hurts for YEARS).
Overall, this book was SO CLOSE to being on the same par as Elenor Oliphant Is Completely Fine or Meredith, Alone-- but it just missed the mark for me.
Both Erin Connolly and James Parr are at a crossroad in their lives. Erin, still grappling with the devastating loss of her childhood best friend to cancer, is struggling with her mental health and a toxic work environment-- as well as the realization she had no idea how to be happy in her current life. James travels back and forth between his London home, where he works as a very successful business man despite his dream of becoming a writer, and his hometown of Frome where he helps his mother during the violent bouts of her uncontrolled bipolar disorder. Both are desperate for a change, for some way to move forward in their lives, but lack the impetus to make it happen.
In a fit of Marie Kondo inspiration, Erin accidentally donates a deeply beloved and incredibly annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, and, when she realizes her accident it's too late. However, a few days later, the book reappears with additional annotations. What follows is an exchange of classic literature and a connection between two lost souls that may help them both into the next chapter of their lives.
As many other reviewers have noted-- THE BOOK SWAP is not a romance. Is there romance? Yes. However, it's a slow burn that
Spoiler
doesn't come together until the literal last pages of the book.Erin is an inherently selfish and obtuse. She refuses therapy and help from her sister (who happens to BE a therapist) despite struggling with occasionally debilitating depression and hallucinating her dead best friend. Erin also refuses to listen to other people's points of view, and while this is addressed during the course of the story, it's hard to sympathize with someone who has ruined several relationships because she lacks basic empathy and the ability to listen while she's hurting (and she hurts for YEARS).
Overall, this book was SO CLOSE to being on the same par as Elenor Oliphant Is Completely Fine or Meredith, Alone-- but it just missed the mark for me.
*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*
Told from the perspective of Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger, the person behind Vincent Van Gogh's success and Theo Van Gogh's beloved wife, VINCENT: A GRAPHIC BIOGRAPHY tells the life story of the world famous artist, Vincent Van Gogh. Starting from his beginnings, the author does not shy away from Van Gogh's life-long struggle with mental illness and the his journey to creating artwork. It also beautifully depicts the devotion of Theo to his older brother, and the vision he had for his brother's artwork-- which would eventually be carried out by his wife and son.
The story, while historically accurate, is bare bones-- meaning it can reach a wide audience for those looking to learn a little bit more about Van Gogh, without the intimidation of a full biography. The artwork, similarly, does the job effectively and thoughtfully, but leaves some to be desired.
Told from the perspective of Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger, the person behind Vincent Van Gogh's success and Theo Van Gogh's beloved wife, VINCENT: A GRAPHIC BIOGRAPHY tells the life story of the world famous artist, Vincent Van Gogh. Starting from his beginnings, the author does not shy away from Van Gogh's life-long struggle with mental illness and the his journey to creating artwork. It also beautifully depicts the devotion of Theo to his older brother, and the vision he had for his brother's artwork-- which would eventually be carried out by his wife and son.
The story, while historically accurate, is bare bones-- meaning it can reach a wide audience for those looking to learn a little bit more about Van Gogh, without the intimidation of a full biography. The artwork, similarly, does the job effectively and thoughtfully, but leaves some to be desired.