elle_laine's Reviews (126)

Gail's only daughter is getting married. The day before the wedding is not a good one for Gail. First she loses/quits her job, then some drama makes her concerned about her daughter's big day, and finally, her ex-husband shows up at her house because he cannot stay with anyone else due to the cat he has in tow. 

Thank you Anne Tyler and Knopf for this eARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.

This was a delightful novella following only three days of Gail's life. It was well-executed and had a strong storyline even if it left the reader wanting more at the end. It felt very realistic and relatable in its dry humor and mishaps. The only thing I can critique it on is that I wanted more of the characters. More backstory, more thoughts, etc.

I definitely recommend this one as it is quick and enjoyable. It is a good story to curl up in a chair with and read in one sitting.

Lacee bumps into a very handsome man while shopping and somehow they keep running into each other leading to some very interesting conversations and situations. She plans to fly home for the holidays, and who should she run into at the airport? The handsome stranger, of course.

Thank you Kortney Keisel and Dreamscape Select for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.

This book was definitely a stretch. It was also predictable, which is fine, but there was supposed to be an element of surprise for the reader. I never found myself getting very attached to the characters and there was no slow burn which I enjoy in a book. 

I liked the narrators except when they voiced a different character and there was little to no differences in the voice fluctuations. They voiced Park and Lacee well, but not any of the side characters. This story just didn't speak to me or kept me engaged as the reader.

This is a fun holiday mystery/romance for people who are fans of Hallmark movies and spy missions. It is light and easy, just not my cup of tea. 

After a whirlwind romance, Theo and Connor are newly engaged and Connor is ready to take the relationship to a new level. He and Theo embark on a winter trip to meet his family up at their exclusive and remote cabin retreat. But Connor’s family is no ordinary family. They are wealthy and really good at keeping their secrets at all costs. 

Thank you Kate Alice Marshall and Flatiron Books for the eARC copy in exchange for my honest review. This is a review that reflects my thoughts and opinions alone.

This was a very engaging thriller even though I wouldn’t count it as a favorite of mine. I flew through it and was never bored. I liked how it was difficult to trust anyone and the remote cabin vibes were very creepy and satisfying. I also liked how the ending was satisfying and not soul-crushing like some thrillers. My only major criticism is that it didn’t feel very original, which is okay for a thriller because we as readers are all expecting the same formula in a thriller, but I would have liked more unexpected twists.

This is a great cold weather thriller to read curled up in a cozy chair at home. I recommend this as a quick, engaging read that can help get you out of a reading slump.

Libby Weeks hides under the pen name "F. T. Goldhero" and releases the most beloved children's book series in the world called The Falling Children. The time has come to write the final book in the series, but Libby receives a diagnosis that changes her life forever. Panicking, Libby searches online for book ideas to save the falling children from peril and bring them into their happy ending. It is there that she encounters Peanut, a child with a wild imagination and a love for the falling children that might surpass Libby's own love for them.

Thank you Stephanie Booth and RBmedia for the audio version of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed here are mine and mine alone.

This was such an unusual and deeply moving book. I adored the characters, even the ones with deep issues. They all had a redeeming quality that is endearing and makes you as the reader want more of their story. Although the plot of the book is unlikely and a bit far-fetched, the way the author writes her characters makes the story feel real and relatable. The characters aren't perfect. But they are doing what they believe is best, and that I can appreciate.

I liked the audio version and the narrator was wonderful at voicing each character. If you are looking for a quirky and unusual book that also brings in the reality of life, this book is the one for you. I recommend the audiobook, but I also know that reading a physical copy of the book would help the reader notice more of the details as some got lost in the reading (probably because of my mediocre listening skills). 

Augusta Stern is forced to retire from her job. Her eightieth birthday is quickly approaching, but her (now former) employer thought that she was nearing seventy because Augusta needed to give herself more time with her job. Work is life for Augusta, and she doesn't know what she will do without it, until her niece picks out a retirement community for her in Florida. Rallentando Springs turns out to be quite the surprise, as Augusta comes face-to-face with people of her past, including the man who broke her heart decades ago.

Thank you Lynda Cohen Loigman and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC of this heartfelt story in exchange for an honest review. Every thought depicted here is mine and mine alone.

This book had every element included in it that I love: mystery, love, and a touch of magic. I absolutely loved learning about pharmaceuticals in the early 1900s. The dual timeline gave such a rich perspective into both Augusta's early life and her late life, making the story complete and full. Love was depicted in such a rich way, especially with Augusta's relationships with her great aunt Esther, her father, her sister, her niece, and, of course, Irving Rivkin. 

Although I liked the audio version of this book and I liked the narrator, I definitely will want to go back and purchase and read the physical copy. It is too intricate and cozy to not read twice. I absolutely recommend the audio version, but also think about purchasing a hard copy to read too. I know that I missed parts of the story listening to the audiobook.

Tilda Finch looks in the mirror one day and realizes that she is slowly disappearing. She receives a diagnosis of invisibility, and hers is progressing quickly. The doctor tells her that there is no cure for invisibility, but after meeting with an alternative methods researcher and psychologist, Tilda feels hope rise in her chest. Armed with uncertainty, hope, and willpower, will Tilda be able to help herself overcome her disease and help other women also diagnosed with invisibility?

Thank you Jane Tara and Crown Publishing for the ARC of this delightful novel. All opinions written here about this book are mine and mine alone.

This was a fascinating book. I liked how realistic it was with the addition of invisibility. It really spoke to women's issues in today's society. The addition of some romance was delightful and helped the story progress in a way that draws the reader in and gives it a completeness. I also liked how it ended. It just felt right but was also unexpected.

I definitely recommend this thought-provoking book. It is different from any other book I've read and I really enjoyed how the author brought together the story.

A reconnection with a high school flame. Too many mishaps with mistletoe kisses. And an embarrassing encounter with a prince. Three different girls in three different stories all find love during the Christmas season.

Thank you Sheila Roberts, Kathleen Fuller, Pepper Basham, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audio version of this collection of short stories. All thoughts and opinions here are mine and mine alone.

I greatly enjoyed each of these delightful short stories. They brought out the joy of the holiday season and gave such cozy vibes. The characters were lovable and easy to get attached to and cheer for as the stories progressed. I think each story was the perfect length for a short story. Each story was like an episode-length Hallmark movie, light-hearted, not very deep, and perfect for chilly weather!

I absolutely loved the audiobook version of these short stories. The narrator was excellent with giving life to each of the characters. I definitely recommend the audio version for the upcoming colder weather and holiday season!

Frank receives a call that he has been waiting for for a very long time. He has not seen his only daughter since their fall out years ago, but all of that is about to change as she tells her father of some very big news: she is getting married. But she isn’t marrying just anyone. She is marrying the son of one of the richest men in the country. The wedding festivities take place at a sprawling camp owned by the wealthy family that has been turned into a wonderful getaway. Frank, along with his sister and her foster child, move into the camp for the week, and it soon becomes apparent that things are not what they should be.

Thank you Jason Rekulak and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. All thoughts expressed here are mine and mine alone.

I greatly enjoyed this book. It is twisted and slightly disturbing, but in a very realistic way. There were never any freaky occurrences or jump scares (except for the daddy long legs - eek!) and I really liked that about this book. I was 100% engaged for the entirety of the book. Some people may criticize this book’s lack of creepiness, but I liked that I could root for certain characters and root for the downfall of other characters. Some books gain popularity in all of the characters being disturbed and unlikeable, but this one actually has quality characters. Don’t get me wrong though; this book had its fair share of twists and turns that will leave you shocked.

Another element of this reading experience that made it more enjoyable was that I got to enjoy the audiobook version of the book. I really liked the narrator and his use of vocal differences for the different characters. I could always follow who was speaking even though there was only one narrator.

I highly recommend you add this audiobook to your fall TBR. It is an engaging story and gives the perfect slightly creepy fall vibes!

In the midst of the holiday season, at a true crime conference, an unsavory character makes everyone's lives miserable. And then he turns up dead. This leaves the investigators with a long list of people who might have a motive to kill him. Meg Langslow is there to help, as usual, but this time, her job includes keeping her pregnant sister-in-law cool and calm. Can she juggle keeping everything in line and helping to unearth the killer?

Thank you Donna Andrews and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook copy of this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone.

I absolutely love a good cozy holiday mystery. This one was definitely a fun one! The only thing I could have wished for more of is a stronger holiday vibe. Other than that, I greatly enjoyed following along with Meg in the investigation. This is the first Meg Langslow book by Donna Andrews that I have experienced, and it left me with wanting to go back and learn more about Meg's family and friends in the previous books.

I am really glad that I got to experience this book in the audio format. It is the perfect book to listen to as it is easy to follow while also being entertaining and mysterious. My recommendation is to definitely pick up this holiday mystery as the holiday season begins and colder weather rolls in!

Calla Tuoleimi is no longer just a subject under the rule of Talin’s king. She is now one of the elite and she will do everything to make changes in the kingdom. Anton Makusa, still smarting after Calla’s betrayal, is no longer just a figure from the past. He is the present. He takes over August’s body, making him the next king after Kasa’s death. But he doesn’t fool Calla. And then strange and deadly things start happening in the kingdom and it is up to Calla and Anton to determine the shape the kingdom will take in the future.

Thank you Chloe Gong and Saga Press for the eARC of the second book in the Flesh and False Gods series. All opinions expressed here are mine.

My first thought of this book is that I did not expect it to be so political. The whole book until the very end was about the different groups in the kingdom that wanted their views to be the most important. It was difficult to keep up with who everyone was and what exactly the characters wanted. From reading the first book in the series and then reading this one months later, I definitely forgot some of the politics of the world. Sometimes a repetition of world building and occurrences are necessary in the second book of the series even if it might seem repetitive. I definitely needed it and I spent the whole book trying to play catch-up.

If you really loved the first book, then I definitely recommend you read the second even though the premise of it is very different than the first. I just did not care very much for this book even though I liked the first book. I found it difficult to pick the book up and continue reading.