debbilynn42's Reviews (654)

Too many character POVs. I could do without all the fat shaming too.

This book was more reflective and sad than I typically read, but I still found it an engaging read. I had not read the book description beforehand to know that there would be

time travel

, so discovering those plot elements during my read was more of a highlight than the book's larger themes. I also wasn't prepared for

pandemic

topics to be discussed as much as they were. 

The book's narrative structure left several plot threads unanswered, and I prefer a book that has more closure and resolution. In reading other reviews, it seems that some characters are echoes to the author's other book The Glass Hotel which I have not read. 

Overall, I feel this book just wasn't for me, and hopefully it does find its audience amongst other readers.

I found the FMC's narration to be quite annoying. I preferred the MMC's narration. Maybe this means I'm more of a grumpy vs. a sunshine? Also, for an 166pg book, a LOT happened. It felt rushed narratively and didn't allow for any character development or for me to root for the relationship. I probably could have DNFed this book already 1/4 of the way in, but it was short enough I pushed through.  

25 Days follows the Gray family one chapter per day leading up to Christmas. I did try to read this book Advent style, but ultimately gave in and read the remaining 50% in one sitting. 

Please look up content warnings from other reviewers before reading this book. It gets very dark and graphic. I was surprised the author did not include his own warnings in the book since he already had a “Dear Reader” section at the start.

The daily chapters follow a rotating narration between Adam, Beth, Abby (15), and Chloe (9). This format fit the story okay in the beginning where I wanted to know how each family member felt, but by the end it felt forced and took away from the story's flow. Sometimes key events happened in first person, other times in third person, and even sometimes off-page entirely. Instead of it feeling intentional, it felt like what the author was forced to use. This also caused the book to have odd pacing where their POV chapters had to both catch up on prior days plus move the story forward which gave an odd pacing to each chapter and the book as a whole.

The ending left me with more questions than answers, but not in a satisfying way.

I was disappointed by the lack of resolution for what happened, especially after I'd developed so many theories while reading the book.

The author's note on his website says this was done intentionally. 

Ultimately I felt the book's imposed structure and the author's narrative decisions led to more annoyance than intrigue upon completion. The characters were underdeveloped and their experiences chaotically written. 

Content Warnings:

Animal Cruelty, Blood, Vomit, Torture, Confinement, Violence against Children, Fire/Fire Injury, Gun Violence, Stalking, Death/Murder

To land the big promotion, Adrian West invented a pregnant fiancée, and now he’s just met someone who can perfectly play the part. Suddenly unemployed and expecting her ex’s baby, Rowena Taylor sees that a fake engagement may enable her to stay in NYC as a single mom. Living two separate lives during their agreement sounded easy on paper, but as the weeks unfold, Adrian and Rowena must face their shifting feelings and changing visions for what their marriage could become.

------------------------

While I typically avoid books that include pregnancy, I decided to give the topic another try and see how it would integrate with a marriage-of-convenience story line. I’m glad that I gave If the Ring Fits a chance, because it’s a lovely RomCom full of heart and laughter.

Adrian’s evolution from a work consumed CIO to an attentive family man was enjoyable to watch. I also appreciated Rowena shedding the echoes of her past relationship and embracing what a supportive partner means for both her family and her career. The narrative structure of a dual POV built delicious emotional and sexual tension leading up to the decision of whether they’re both all in. While it was a closed-door romance, there is an open-door epilogue for the interested reader (like me!).

I did find the ending a bit rushed. The chapters started to jump months at a time versus the earlier daily/weekly chapters. There were a few paragraphs that summarized those timeframes, but we only see them told from Rowena’s POV. Being told what happened instead of being shown made me feel less connected to the characters’ experiences at the end of the book.

Overall, I’m glad that I gave If the Ring Fits a chance. It was a lovely story of how love grows, families are formed, and that having a family and a career are not mutually exclusive.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for my review.

Content Warnings: Vomit, Pregnancy, Postpartum Depression

Meh, just not as good as the first book. I struggled to be engaged by the stories and there's so many other books I'd rather pick up. Ended after The Truth About Charlotte. 

When Greta Plank discovers a personal copy of Pride and Prejudice in the Larkspur Library's return bin, she's confused by the mysterious markings inside but is intent to return the book to its owner. However, before she's able to return the book, the presumed owner is found murdered outside the local Bobber's Bar. Now the book is a clue and she is intent on helping the local police department to understand the book's markings. Where will the mysterious markings lead Greta and her fellow librarians, and what will her boyfriend Detective McHenry say now that she's once again involved in exploring a Larkspur murder?

This is the third book in a series, but my first time visiting the Larkspur Librarians. The beginning of the book appears to catch up on a lot of characters from the other books, so it felt a bit rushed on name introductions, but after a while I settled into the story of this cozy town, their history, and their mystery. I was drawn in by the local restaurants and I could picture Greta walking around town throughout her day to the various lunch and drink locations. The backdrop of the Wisconsin Library Organization Conference keeps them moving between locations frequently which lends the book a steady pace. 

I wasn't a fan of Nathan, Greta's ex, who is another librarian in town for the conference. He’s still set on interacting with Greta despite her constant dismissals. I'm not sure if their relationship history came up already in previous books, but I wished there was a way to give Greta a parallel nosy investigator without it being someone that Greta has already moved on from. I would rather see more development in her relationship with Detective McHenry instead of giving page space for the narcissistic ex. 

Overall I really enjoyed this book and was swept into the mystery along with the characters. I am always pleasantly surprised when a twist outpaces my own theories on the mystery, and this book did not disappoint. 

Thank you to the publisher, Level Best Books, for providing a copy of this book with NetGalley for my review.