emmreadsbooks's Reviews (1.28k)

Hi, yes, give me men with floral tattoos please. I have a bucket ready for my drool.

This book is your typical good girl/bad boy fare in a small town, but mixed with fake dating to make it an extra fun time. I'd say this one is a little steamier than When in Rome, but still mostly closed door. Even with that though, there were enough sexy hijinks and cute Kentucky moments to keep me captivated. I'm not sure if all of the books in this series are going to be Audrey Hepburn movie reimaginings, but it would be SO cool if so! My money is on Madison getting the next book and I honestly can't wait.

*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*

I was doubtful when people told me I needed to read this one before Practice Makes Perfect, but now I'm so glad I gave into their demands. Because this is THE sweet romance I needed. Between Noah's grumpiness and Amelia's stardom drama, there was always plenty to keep me interested. I could've done with more pie content, mostly because I love a good pie, but was satisfied overall. Lots of almost kissing, small town vibes, and a set up for a family-focused romcom series. Big fan.

*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review* 

Oh she a trilogy? Me likey.

Margaret Owen delivers yet again with an epic YA fantasy that will confound and astonish. I had previously thought that these were standalone novels, just with the same characters and universe, but I was happily mistaken. Between Vanja accidentally creating a cult and being thrust on a quest for a 7 part macguffin, there's no shortage of action and adventure. I enjoyed the dialog on cycles of abuse, sacrifice, and family. At the beginning I was a bit confused, as things seemed to lose continuity from the first book, but it all made sense in the end. Ultimately a lovely chonk of a book that I'll be recommending for ages.

*Thank you to Henry Holt & Co Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Some days you need a fast-paced thriller that reminds you that at least you aren't on a crashed airplane sinking in the Pacific. It's the little things, right?

From the get go, everything goes wrong for Flight 1421. We get alternate PoVs from inside the plane and the rescue effort, as well as a few flashbacks to Will's life before. This book gave me LOST vibes mixed with The Martian, but somehow more suspenseful. Clocking in at 288 pages, it goes by so quickly. The narration is tense and snappy, but perfectly engaging at the same time.

*Thank you to Simon Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*

Get your tissues ready and prepare your feels, because you're going to be all up in them. Told in alternating timelines, we watch a friend group come together again and again to host living funerals for each other. If that premise alone doesn't catch your attention, I don't know what to tell you.

This is as much a book about life as it is about death. Rooted in showing your loved ones what they truly mean to you before they're gone, this is a poignant novel that will leave you changed. I found myself highlighting quotes left and right and bracing myself for the end. While you know how the book will end, it's the journey to that ending that makes it all meaningful. And Steven Rowley makes it really damn meaningful.

*Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Sometimes you just need an easy breezy romcom to get you through a day of chores, and this was it for me. While definitely light on the rom and heavy on the com, I seriously enjoyed the book. Temper your expectations though - it should absolutely be marketed as a contemporary or women's fiction.

I listened to this on audio and it just FLEW by. The narration was stellar, with subtle changes in her voice for different characters. Watching Cat's fall from fame was fascinating, especially as she learns to change her spoiled ways. Having all of this set against the lush backdrop of Montana was delightful, especially considering the focus on national parks. As a content creator myself, the dialogue about putting your phone down and just enjoying your life as it is.... It hit me right in the feels. Some areas could've been fleshed out more - like seeing how Cat's antics were helping the park or her relationship with Zaiah - but it's overall just a super cute book.

*Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and to Uplit Reads for a gifted copy*

Am I finally too old for YA mysteries? Because I predicted damn near everything about this book from the beginning. That being said, it was still an EXCELLENT plot and a very fun take on old Hollywood mysteries. A family full of enemies, a traumatic assault, and a timeline that just doesn't add up? I love to see it. We also get to see more of the AV club in this book and my favorites Raf and Spike. I was hoping to see a bit more character development with Alice in this book, but I think we finally got some by the end. If there isn't a third book in the pipeline, I'll be so sad because it was set up perfectly with the ending.

*Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I love me some Lily Chu, I really do. This one just didn't hit the mark though. It was so hard to empathize with Ari as she pushes everyone away and refuses to live her life. Jihoon was pretty hot though.

Overall the plot was pretty standard for a celebrity romance, just with a nice kpop spin. As proud ARMY, it was consistent with my expectations for rabid kpop fans. I just wish we'd gotten to focus more on her travel planning than all of the family and law firm drama.

*Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

A hot firefighter, a mayoral candidate, and an audiobook narrator walk into a bar and sit on a stool. One stool, because they're all the same person!! It's a brother's best friend second chance romance for the ages, especially when you mix in their unique family dynamic. They intrinsically need each other to make ends meet - Piper needs a male lead for an audition and Sam needs Piper's mom to endorse his campaign. Add in the chaos of viral videos reemerging and recording steamy scenes with your ex, and it's a recipe for disaster of the best kind. The dual narration on the audiobook is fabulous as well! I'd recommend this to fans of Thank You for Listening and Cheaper by the Dozen.

There are just no words, this book is perfection.