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bandherbooks's Reviews (3.65k)
Consensus of the book club was that while we all finished reading the story, we weren't captivated by this character study of a British family who end up quarantined together during Christmas. I personally thought too hard about medical details, including WHY someone would ever be allowed to quarantine at home with family members. I don't care if it is Christmas, no way!
We did have fun making water-less snow globes though!
I'd suggest reading Maggie Shipstead's Seating Arrangements for a book that tackles a multi-POV family dramedy story with far more elan.
We did have fun making water-less snow globes though!
I'd suggest reading Maggie Shipstead's Seating Arrangements for a book that tackles a multi-POV family dramedy story with far more elan.
Magnolia has been through hell and back with relationships. She's misread signs, kissing her colleague and almost ruining her career, she's been with jerks, one who even kidnapped her do, and she's done.
Magnolia is finally feeling secure in her self, her booming gardening business, her friends. She is enough.
So when her mother challenges her to wade back into the 21st century dating scene, Magnolia only agrees because she knows she is finally ready and able to try and to not compromise. She's also not optimistic but it is easier to agree to her mother's wishes.
What Magnolia, the woman who is the friend, the woman who's never chosen first, isn't expecting is to find not one, but two men who start making her believe that maybe fate does indeed have a happily ever after in store for her, but now she can't decide which future she wants.
That's all I'm going to say about the plot, because you can meet Magnolia's suitors as I did, in the story! There is a happily ever after, but Magnolia does indeed have two men vying for her so if that is not to your taste, try one of the Walsh books.
I started reading Kate Canterbary's Walsh series late last year and have devoured every single book featuring one of my favorite contemporary romance families. I met Magnolia in the Walsh series and for a character who an author could have turned into a one-note villain, Magnolia is so much more.
Wild applause to Canterbary's craft at taking a secondary character woven throughout a beloved series and giving that secondary character the chance to take flight. You can certainly read Magnolia without first having read the Walsh series, but please do read those after you are done!
I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review! Thank you Kate Canterbary!
Magnolia is finally feeling secure in her self, her booming gardening business, her friends. She is enough.
So when her mother challenges her to wade back into the 21st century dating scene, Magnolia only agrees because she knows she is finally ready and able to try and to not compromise. She's also not optimistic but it is easier to agree to her mother's wishes.
What Magnolia, the woman who is the friend, the woman who's never chosen first, isn't expecting is to find not one, but two men who start making her believe that maybe fate does indeed have a happily ever after in store for her, but now she can't decide which future she wants.
That's all I'm going to say about the plot, because you can meet Magnolia's suitors as I did, in the story! There is a happily ever after, but Magnolia does indeed have two men vying for her so if that is not to your taste, try one of the Walsh books.
I started reading Kate Canterbary's Walsh series late last year and have devoured every single book featuring one of my favorite contemporary romance families. I met Magnolia in the Walsh series and for a character who an author could have turned into a one-note villain, Magnolia is so much more.
Wild applause to Canterbary's craft at taking a secondary character woven throughout a beloved series and giving that secondary character the chance to take flight. You can certainly read Magnolia without first having read the Walsh series, but please do read those after you are done!
I received a free copy in exchange for a fair review! Thank you Kate Canterbary!
Content warning: miscarriage
I adore Lucy Knisley's work, and this book is no exception. I truly appreciated Knisley's open willingness to discuss her struggles with pregnancy. The way she can depict her emotions through her art is just masterful. I also love how she explores history through her own story, and I even learned some new facts about my body that I should have probably known.
That said, if you want to get pregnant, are trying to get pregnant, or are currently pregnant, be sure you want to read and visualize some pretty horrific stuff. Lucy doesn't have an easy pregnancy or labor, so I'm just telling you that in advance. Otherwise, highly recommend!
I adore Lucy Knisley's work, and this book is no exception. I truly appreciated Knisley's open willingness to discuss her struggles with pregnancy. The way she can depict her emotions through her art is just masterful. I also love how she explores history through her own story, and I even learned some new facts about my body that I should have probably known.
That said, if you want to get pregnant, are trying to get pregnant, or are currently pregnant, be sure you want to read and visualize some pretty horrific stuff. Lucy doesn't have an easy pregnancy or labor, so I'm just telling you that in advance. Otherwise, highly recommend!
Imagine Carrie by Stephen King, but if Carrie got out and didn't mass murder everyone. And if Carrie was aided and abetted by a hot sexy almost Catholic Priest.
Dot escapes her horrid mother, who believes she is possessed by the devil, when the priest her mother asked for turns out to be an actually good person. Killian is taking his vows in a few weeks and cannot believe the conditions Dot has lived in, her abuse, her terrible life, and promises her he can get her to better things.
The trouble is Dot and Killian grow close during their road trip back to Killian's parish. So close that Dot falls in love with Killian, the man who shows her love, religion, and sin aren't what her terrible mother taught her they were. That the feelings she feels aren't sinful, aren't ugly, and are beautiful, just not for an almost priest to take advantage of.
This wasn't my favorite story, as it is 1st person POV from Dot's perspective and I just wanted more talking between Dot and Killian. Everything is very internal and while I believed Killian was good and true, I'd have liked his side of the story too. This is really short, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how these two could actually get an HEA.
Dot escapes her horrid mother, who believes she is possessed by the devil, when the priest her mother asked for turns out to be an actually good person. Killian is taking his vows in a few weeks and cannot believe the conditions Dot has lived in, her abuse, her terrible life, and promises her he can get her to better things.
The trouble is Dot and Killian grow close during their road trip back to Killian's parish. So close that Dot falls in love with Killian, the man who shows her love, religion, and sin aren't what her terrible mother taught her they were. That the feelings she feels aren't sinful, aren't ugly, and are beautiful, just not for an almost priest to take advantage of.
This wasn't my favorite story, as it is 1st person POV from Dot's perspective and I just wanted more talking between Dot and Killian. Everything is very internal and while I believed Killian was good and true, I'd have liked his side of the story too. This is really short, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how these two could actually get an HEA.
Bad Blood is a 2019 RITA Award nominee, one of the only nominees written by an author of color.
I may be wrong in my thought process, but wonder if this story would have received a nomination if the cover didn't have a White guy on it and if the main couple weren't also White. I'm pretty sure they were both White...
Any way, the story was fine, if bland. Lots of talk about an off the page encounter of the two main characters at a sex club that never panned out in the story. There was a lot of talk about wild sex and the female lead wanting to experiment but not as much on page action as I'd hoped based on the conversations between the leads. Georgie's older brother King obviously had his own story in this series, which I didn't read, but he was such a stereotypical older-brother interfering character.
That said, for a novella the world felt completely built and I was able to sink into the emotions. I enjoyed it and would certainly read more of the author's work!
I may be wrong in my thought process, but wonder if this story would have received a nomination if the cover didn't have a White guy on it and if the main couple weren't also White. I'm pretty sure they were both White...
Any way, the story was fine, if bland. Lots of talk about an off the page encounter of the two main characters at a sex club that never panned out in the story. There was a lot of talk about wild sex and the female lead wanting to experiment but not as much on page action as I'd hoped based on the conversations between the leads. Georgie's older brother King obviously had his own story in this series, which I didn't read, but he was such a stereotypical older-brother interfering character.
That said, for a novella the world felt completely built and I was able to sink into the emotions. I enjoyed it and would certainly read more of the author's work!
So many content warnings for this book (and I wouldn't recommend reading unless you've read the others in this series). Also this review is entirely spoiler-y so stop here if you don't want to know.
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Still with me? Okay! Oh, my poor Uilleam MacRieve. "Will" is a Lykae who was repeatedly raped and sexually abused by a Succubus starting before he was 1o years old. When his parents and brother found out, about five years later, both of his parents are killed by another enthralled lover of the Succubus when they go to end her life.
900 or so years later, Will and his brother Munro are living in Novia Scotia, helping to raise orphaned Lykae. They've fought bravely in the wars between the varying factions of the lore and Will may just finally be coming to terms with his past. Just. And then he's kidnapped by The Order and tortured, vivisected, and when he finally escapes he's hunted by a pack of Succubi.
So when word gets out that the daughter of the man resonsible for his capture and torture, and the torture of so many others, is up for auction, Will believes he can finally get revenge and find Webb. But Chloe is actually his fated mate. Oh boy.
Chloe has been afraid she's been changing, and now her father is missing. And oh, it seems her father is leading an entire other life, a life that has now caused her to become bait in the Lore's revenge schemes.
Thankfully a wickedly beautiful and haunted man, a Lykae, has taken her away. He claims she's his, and Chloe is starting to get into it, when she turns. Into a Succubus. During sex with Macrieve.
What follows is a battle for Macrieve's instinct and soul to come to terms with the fact his mate may be the same type of immortal as the woman he harmed him, but that doesn't make her the same person at all.
I really liked this story, but felt so terrible for Chloe. She's into Macrieve and her hurts her very badly. But I cannot be angry at Macrieve, because he is also so hurt. I think that is what kept me from adoring it as I didn't know who needed to grovel more, if anyone really should be groveling?
ALSO that ending!!! Macrieve and Chloe get their HEA, but Munro finally finds his fated mate after they are both captured by the Order, a mate who he has desperately wanted for ages. And she's human. Well, until he's forced to turn her for The Order. Against her wishes. She tells him she hates him and will for eternity. And that's the end. AHHHHH. I can't imagine how I'd feel if I didn't know Munro's book is coming this year.
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Still with me? Okay! Oh, my poor Uilleam MacRieve. "Will" is a Lykae who was repeatedly raped and sexually abused by a Succubus starting before he was 1o years old. When his parents and brother found out, about five years later, both of his parents are killed by another enthralled lover of the Succubus when they go to end her life.
900 or so years later, Will and his brother Munro are living in Novia Scotia, helping to raise orphaned Lykae. They've fought bravely in the wars between the varying factions of the lore and Will may just finally be coming to terms with his past. Just. And then he's kidnapped by The Order and tortured, vivisected, and when he finally escapes he's hunted by a pack of Succubi.
So when word gets out that the daughter of the man resonsible for his capture and torture, and the torture of so many others, is up for auction, Will believes he can finally get revenge and find Webb. But Chloe is actually his fated mate. Oh boy.
Chloe has been afraid she's been changing, and now her father is missing. And oh, it seems her father is leading an entire other life, a life that has now caused her to become bait in the Lore's revenge schemes.
Thankfully a wickedly beautiful and haunted man, a Lykae, has taken her away. He claims she's his, and Chloe is starting to get into it, when she turns. Into a Succubus. During sex with Macrieve.
What follows is a battle for Macrieve's instinct and soul to come to terms with the fact his mate may be the same type of immortal as the woman he harmed him, but that doesn't make her the same person at all.
I really liked this story, but felt so terrible for Chloe. She's into Macrieve and her hurts her very badly. But I cannot be angry at Macrieve, because he is also so hurt. I think that is what kept me from adoring it as I didn't know who needed to grovel more, if anyone really should be groveling?
ALSO that ending!!! Macrieve and Chloe get their HEA, but Munro finally finds his fated mate after they are both captured by the Order, a mate who he has desperately wanted for ages. And she's human. Well, until he's forced to turn her for The Order. Against her wishes. She tells him she hates him and will for eternity. And that's the end. AHHHHH. I can't imagine how I'd feel if I didn't know Munro's book is coming this year.
Two single parents had a hot one time only hookup in an alley behind a bar, both going their separate ways. Or so they thought until Sawyer discovers he and his son have just moved in next door to Elle. Ooops.
I've had Serena Bell's Sleepover on my Kindle for a long time and am finally reading it. I should have eons ago because it is sexy and delightful!
Sawyer is a widower, his wife died two years ago. He's had lots of sex, just never more than once with any person besides his wife. He doesn't like people and doesn't think he'll ever fall in love again.
Elle is recently divorced from her husband of many years, after discovering she was right for fearing he was cheating on her. He was, emotionally and "just that one time" with his high school girlfriend, the girlfriend Elle was the rebound for. He and Elle got married when she became pregnant and she always wondered if he still had a flame for his ex.
Now these two jaded hearts have to decide if they are willing to risk their sons' burgeoning relationship and their own hearts to act on the very real spark they feel.
I loved how this novel explored grief, love, and trust. It is nice to see a romance where the characters have had other loves and have to balance their previous relationships (good and bad) with their hope for a new future.
I also am a sucker for a "we banged before this book even started and ope, now we are totally going to bang again" stories so this one totally fulfilled that for me. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed, especially after the big break moment and the "we are going to take our time getting married" moment.
That said, I definitely want to read more of Serena Bell's work!
I've had Serena Bell's Sleepover on my Kindle for a long time and am finally reading it. I should have eons ago because it is sexy and delightful!
Sawyer is a widower, his wife died two years ago. He's had lots of sex, just never more than once with any person besides his wife. He doesn't like people and doesn't think he'll ever fall in love again.
Elle is recently divorced from her husband of many years, after discovering she was right for fearing he was cheating on her. He was, emotionally and "just that one time" with his high school girlfriend, the girlfriend Elle was the rebound for. He and Elle got married when she became pregnant and she always wondered if he still had a flame for his ex.
Now these two jaded hearts have to decide if they are willing to risk their sons' burgeoning relationship and their own hearts to act on the very real spark they feel.
I loved how this novel explored grief, love, and trust. It is nice to see a romance where the characters have had other loves and have to balance their previous relationships (good and bad) with their hope for a new future.
I also am a sucker for a "we banged before this book even started and ope, now we are totally going to bang again" stories so this one totally fulfilled that for me. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed, especially after the big break moment and the "we are going to take our time getting married" moment.
That said, I definitely want to read more of Serena Bell's work!
Well this was just absolutely delightful, from the narration, to the romance, to the lush descriptions of food, clothing, and architecture. Also, the sexy-times were A+ hot. I absolutely adored watching cranky reformed rake West Ravenel fall head over heels for Phoebe, Lady Clare.
I especially enjoyed that Phoebe, as a widow, desperately loved her husband, misses him, and did not have to spend anytime worrying about West being jealous of her late husband. Also, I was glad that the "villain" in this story wasn't just a gross caricature. He very well could have been Phoebe's next husband, and he wasn't a terrible person, just not a great person. Or right for her. I loved too that Phoebe was allowed to revel in her choices. She could be fancy, she could be a bit uptight, she could mother. She could also want to take the reins of her son's estate and make the man she wants her husband. Go girl.
And oh West, you are a sexy beast and I love you the more for it. You are dumb for not marrying Phoebe forthwith, but whatever. You figured it out.
Bonus points for sexy shaving times, early morning rendezvous, mid-morning rendezvous in glass-houses, up against the wall rendezvous. Did I mention the sexy-times were A+?
I have not even come close to having read most of Kleypas's work, and for a while I was bit overwhelmed with characters from other stories, but it all worked out in the end. So, if read Sebastian's story at the minimum, and Pandora's if you can, but other than that I was fine.
I must also say the narrator for this story is superb. Will definitely seek out more of her work.
I especially enjoyed that Phoebe, as a widow, desperately loved her husband, misses him, and did not have to spend anytime worrying about West being jealous of her late husband. Also, I was glad that the "villain" in this story wasn't just a gross caricature. He very well could have been Phoebe's next husband, and he wasn't a terrible person, just not a great person. Or right for her. I loved too that Phoebe was allowed to revel in her choices. She could be fancy, she could be a bit uptight, she could mother. She could also want to take the reins of her son's estate and make the man she wants her husband. Go girl.
And oh West, you are a sexy beast and I love you the more for it. You are dumb for not marrying Phoebe forthwith, but whatever. You figured it out.
Bonus points for sexy shaving times, early morning rendezvous, mid-morning rendezvous in glass-houses, up against the wall rendezvous. Did I mention the sexy-times were A+?
I have not even come close to having read most of Kleypas's work, and for a while I was bit overwhelmed with characters from other stories, but it all worked out in the end. So, if read Sebastian's story at the minimum, and Pandora's if you can, but other than that I was fine.
I must also say the narrator for this story is superb. Will definitely seek out more of her work.
Homicide detective Troy Bennett, newly transferred to the NYPD after the death of his daredevil partner, finds himself illogically falling for a sexy pool hustler named Ruby. Ruby can't believe she's so attracted to a cop, but Troy's dirty talk and deliciously infuriating dominance makes her glad she's no longer involved with the criminals from her past. But, her past comes back to threaten their tenuous trust and both of their lives.
A novella length audio book that despite it's shorter length, has no problem establishing Troy and Ruby's lives and completing a super hot story arc. Man, these Tessa Bailey audio books are the best. Also, I'll never look at a pool cue the same way again! o.O
A novella length audio book that despite it's shorter length, has no problem establishing Troy and Ruby's lives and completing a super hot story arc. Man, these Tessa Bailey audio books are the best. Also, I'll never look at a pool cue the same way again! o.O
A PR pro is brought in to fix the image of a former boy-band star so a reunion tour can be launched. The gruff, grumpy, and bearded superstar Mark Webster will be quite the challenge, but not one Haven Hoyt won't be able to conquer. But turns out she finds out he's so much more than the cranky ex-star she thought she was getting.
Mark is such a soft "rock star" and I really loved it. He's super hurt and he finds Haven isn't just there to polish his outside, she truly cares about helping him connect with what he loved about music, about his career.
Super hot too, so yay!
Mark is such a soft "rock star" and I really loved it. He's super hurt and he finds Haven isn't just there to polish his outside, she truly cares about helping him connect with what he loved about music, about his career.
Super hot too, so yay!