A lyrically written and nostalgic historical fiction novel, focusing on the four Mirabal sisters who were part of the resistance against the dictator Trujillo. Switching back and forth between the POVs of the fours sisters, I did not really enjoy the style as I found it hard to remember which sister's chapter I was in and the gentle writing really made you feel removed from the drama and action of the events. Everything just felt very nostalgic and more like reading about a memory as opposed to being right there in the moment.

The author also assumes a lot of knowledge on the reader and I felt it was quite necessary to look up and read about Trujillo's regime. If you didn't have a working knowledge of events you could quickly become lost.

This novel was chosen as Milwaukee Public Library's Big Read book, and I'm glad I read it. It also feels quite timely, almost scarily so, as the descriptions of Trujillo are eerily similar to a certain current president.

My favorite part of the whole book was actually the afterword by the author. I wish this was instead placed at the beginning of the novel as it would have given better clarity to WHY she was writing about these sisters, and why she chose to show how one can slowly and quietly be a force of change and resistance.

Izzy unexpectedly inherits a potentially haunted, definitely falling apart castle, complete with a blind, scarred duke who is also kind of a beast. The inheritance couldn't have come at a better time, as Izzy's neglectful father left her with nothing, despite the huge popularity of his children's fairy tales written "for her." 26, plain, and never been kissed, Izzy is the eternal optimist but can't wait to get her hands on the castle and maybe even the duke...

Super sweet, with a nice, not quite unexpected twist, with lots of steam. I love Tessa Dare's heroines and heroes!

Sydney has loved cold Tristan Pierce her whole life, pining after him as a young girl and secretly dating him after he finally realized she was no longer a child. After Tristan's mother died in a horrific car accident, Tristan made the decision to leave their small California town and head to NYC. He asked Sydney to go with him, but without love on the table and a secret baby in her belly, Sydney refused.
Now Tristan is back working alongside Sydney at Pierce Brothers and their past attraction is as hot as ever. He's met Sydney's daughter but has no idea he is the father. Will the secret ruin everything or create the family Syndey always wanted?

I had issues with the latter half of this story, all of which are very spoiler. Not my favorite in the series, mostly because of the actions of Tristan.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

She thought the loud hotel sex neighbors were simply annoying, but Assistant US Attorney General Cameron Lynde finds out one of her hotel neighbors was murdered AND she's the only one who saw the suspect leave the scene. Now she's under FBI protection, throwing her back into contact with Agent Pallas, an agent who publicly embarrassed her on the news and has recently been brought back to Chicago after the end of his punishment assignment in Nebraska.
Before THE INCIDENT leading to Jack's transfer, both shared a mutual interest which to both of their chagrin, seems to burn just as hot as before. Can they get past their misgivings and focus on the case?

I love James' characters and especially her strong leading ladies.

A dysfunctional family of adult siblings learns their oldest brother's shenanigans has lost them the "nest" inheritance they were banking on for various reasons, some noble, others less so. With a rotating cast of characters, a funny story that ended up being a bit too twee and likable for me.

The audiobook narrator was excellent, and I'll be featuring this title as my library's next Book to Art Club pick. Not sure yet what craft we'll do!

Well, that was depressing as hell. Beautiful story and art, can't get enough.

If you haven't read the other two books in this series, please avoid this review. Spoilers, ho!




Feyre has implanted herself as a spy in Tamlin's Spring Court, spinning lies about her time with Rhys in the Night Court while secretly gathering all the information she can to help fight against the Cauldron and the evil King of Hybern. She keeps Tamlin at arm's length and is desperate to return to Rhys and her sisters, recently changed into High Fae by the Cauldron.

I thought Maas would spend more time in the Spring Court, but Feyre soon leaves, with Lucien in tow, and we meet up gain with our great cast of characters as they plan for the upcoming war. The ending is satisfactory, and I'm not sure what additional books in the series will cover, but hope

Spoiler

Feyre and Rhys get to continue enjoying their HEA and we can focus on the other relationships explored in this novel
More spoilers / my thoughts:

Spoiler

Feyre and Rhys 4-eva. Yes, the sexy times scenes may have been gratuitous and of course the "will they are won't they" tension is no longer there, but I loved all of it. More please! Also, Rhy's library built for women, *sploosh.* I was a bit shocked by Rhy's offer of a threeway, but hey, go girl. I am still surprised at how short of a time was spent with Feyre having to play Tamlin in the Spring Court, and I was a little annoyed with how he quickly went from enemy, to maybe not enemy, to enemy again, to helping heal and bring Rhys back from the dead, and then just kind of disappearing. I wish a little less time was spent on other thigns and more time on his character because he was so pivotal in the first book. I also did not like the whole brining Rhys back from the dead as it seemed to be a replay of what happened with Feyre and sort of convenient. Just keep him alive already, and do something else for tension. I also enjoyed the interplay of Feyre and her sisters, and how they took on a more commanding role and weren't just secondary nuisances.

After being held hostage at gunpoint during a convenience store robbery that ends with two deaths and her very identity shaken to the core. Edie tries to start over at a new school, but it turns out to be the same school as the boy who basically saved her life. Drawn together by their shared trauma, they form a friendship which not everyone thinks is the best for Evie. John had a bad reputation and is now looking to reform, turning away from his brother who led him into dealing drugs. Despite Edie's self-doubts and body image issues she and John begin to fall for each other, but his past may not be so far behind him...

A very steamy read and it was nice to see a normal sized girl coming into her own. I do get annoyed with reading about the perfectly cut bodies of teen boys, because hey, not all teen boys are also super fit with "perfect abs" but hey, go girl. I wish this book had a dual POV to get the reader inside John's head, as I felt like he went from "friends to lover" very suddenly and as a reader, I didn't always buy his intentions or actions. The ending also felt a bit rushed, but overall I enjoyed the title.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.