lit_vibrations's Reviews (365)

Special thanks to the author & @simonandschuster for my gifted copy‼️ 

A murder mystery set against the backdrop of a reality TV show “The Really Dead Wives of New Jersey” was a mix between Real Housewives and Growing Up Gotti. With any reality show you know you’re gonna get some drama. But Garden State Goddesses were filled with wealthy backstabbing wannabes who would stop at nothing to take your spot or take you out whichever comes first. With this one we get a lot of dark humor, shady banter, unexpected twists, and secret relationships. There were quite a few characters to keep up with but one who stood out most was Carmela. That woman was complete hell and she did not let up on Hope. 

Would I recommend yes and no lol the book was okay but could’ve been better. It has a slow build but once bodies start dropping you’re pulled in. If anything this was entertaining but nothing I would want to read again.

Special thanks to the author & @kensingtonbooks #Dafina for my gifted copy and ALC‼️

After book 3 I just knew this series was finished but nope Monroe said let me spin the block two more times we ain’t done yet‼️I can honestly say I’m not one to finish a series but this series is one of a kind and I live for the mess so let’s just say book 5 didn’t completely disappoint me.

Set at the backdrop of the Depression era Mary Monroe takes us back to Lexington, Alabama with new characters and more drama. Book 5 follows Naomi Simmons recently married to smooth talking Jacob Purcell who was also a woman beater, manipulator, and the town’s community D (that man stressed me out for her). Naomi didn’t love Jacob one bit but she took a chance simply to escape the pressure her father and his wife were putting her under.  They had a daughter Ethel Mae who took right after her daddy. Do with that what you will!!!When Naomi meets Homer Clark they become real close and soon fall in love. But when Jacob has a stroke and Naomi decides not to leave him (just stupid) Homer isn’t pleased and his TRUE colors begin to show.

Mary Monroe has a knack for creating the messiest characters, showcasing the good and bad sides of marriage, and revealing just how shady and ungodly some church folks can be. I don’t think I’ve ever read one of her books that didn’t make me laugh. This book was definitely wild I’m not sure what was worse the way Jacob treated Naomi or what Homer did after the fact. 

Overall, the book was okay it was a complete mess from beginning to end just one twist after another. The pacing was very slow in the beginning and throughout the book things get a little repetitive. But Mary knows how to keep you entertained and engaged so it was easy to push through it. Every book in this series will hit different and it’s one that I will always recommend especially if you love historical fiction.

Rating: 3.75/5⭐️

Special thanks to the author & @penguinrandomhouse #LabyrinthRoad for my gifted copy‼️

Centered around Black experiences it feels so good to be back at Caiman University the magical HBCU for young, Black Conjurers. This book was everything and to know we’re getting a book 3 I’m so here for it!!! I love LaDarrion’s writing because it’s so Black and relatable. If we had a magical HBCU in modern times this book is exactly how I would want it to be. Not gonna lie I can’t wait for this to release on audio because I knoooooow it’s gonna be fire. If you listened to book 1 then you know exactly why I can’t wait.

Now what can I say about this book without spoiling it for anyone . . . . It’s still giving Black boy magic, we have a new love interest, some new friends, of course there’s family drama, an ancient magical society, uncovered secrets (ish got real), a little forgiveness, and some legendary family ties. Act 3 did it for me! My only downside was some of the lingo used and a few situations kind of felt random.  But other than that the author delivered in every aspect. The character development was AMAZING you can see the growth in Malik and the depth the author put into the other characters.

The book was simply perfection it’s filled with Black culture, adventure, danger, stronger magic, and poignant themes of friendship and found family. I highly recommend ya’ll pre-order this one ASAP‼️ The book ends on a cliffhanger which has me super excited for the next book. I know for a fact readers are gonna love this even if you’re not into fantasy.

Rating: 4.5/5⭐️

Special thanks to the author, @stmartinpress for my gifted copy, & @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2024 for my gifted ALC‼️

This book had so much potential but fell short for me because I honestly was lost on what was happening. In the beginning everything was clear we had siblings raising siblings after the loss of a parent and the abandonment of another. You could tell it was a lot of pressure on Calla trying to hold things together being Jamie’s guardian and him being so defiant. Then Dre was really nonchalant about things which provided no help.

The night Jamie got into trouble and the cop was murdered that’s when all of the confusion started. The entire book he was acting out and I’m 100% sure his behavior created whatever it was they were experiencing lol. Calla was also withholding so many emotions, seemed to have some relationship issues with her father, on top of dealing with some suppressed trauma maybe it was all a manifestation of what she was going through. Idk it was never really stated in the book so I’m still at a loss behind it all.

Overall, the book was okay. Before all of the chaos begins it does start off well building up the suspense with some eeriness, the character development was good, and the vivid descriptions made it easy for me to envision a lot of it. This was like a mix between a Jordan Peele movie and Nightmare on Elm Street because it makes you question what’s real and what isn’t. Although I didn’t love it doesn’t mean you won’t‼️

Special thanks to the author, @bloomsburybooksus #BloomsburyCreatorCircle for gifted copy & @librofm for my gifted ALC.

I don’t know how many times I have to say it but Renee Watson don’t miss‼️ I don’t care what she writes it always gives 5 stars to me. Sis could make a coloring book and I swear it would still be a 5 star experience. 

This middle grade book was nothing short of amazing. Written with a mix of prose and free verse we journey alongside Sage as she deals with the loss of her bestfriend and learns to heal, grow, and forgive herself. Losing someone close to you is never easy and Sage learns firsthand from a counseling group that not all losses are the same, and healing isn't predictable. It was hard for Sage to cope with her emotions because she blamed herself for what happened to her friend. Keeping everything bottled up eventually she explodes then realizes letting it out was what she needed to do to heal. 

Nobody can prepare you for what happens after you lose someone. I know firsthand how it feels losing my mom at 16. It’s something that breaks inside of you and you don’t know if anything will ever be able to fix it. You tend to question everything like why them? Or why now? I even participated in a counseling group same as Sage and hated every moment of it because I didn’t wanna talk about it but it was what I needed to do. 

I really enjoyed this and felt the author perfectly captured the different stages we go through when dealing with grief. I understood and could relate to Sage’s pain and anger so maybe that’s why I loved it so much. But I think this book is perfect for any young adult dealing with the loss of someone. 

Special thanks to @coloredpagesbt @amistadbooks for my gifted copy‼️

This book was a whirlwind of classic chaos that begins as a slow-burn then wraps you up in a web of lies and secrets by the end. Every summer Angel spends her time on an island being the private chef for Cruella de Vil and her family. Ya’ll I really thought this girl was a slave the way she was being treated. This summer Angel meets wealthy Black billionaire Everette Bruce who was still mourning the death of his first wife Chloe until he laid eyes on her. Now Everette is so smitten with Angel after a few dates he pops the question and to my surprise she says yes. 

In the beginning Everette came off like a cool guy just looking to have a good time. The first red flag was during the art show and the second was him not being open with Angel about his grief. When she moved into the vineyard I thought maybe the house was going to be haunted or Everette and his sister would murder her. Oh how wrong I was lol his sister was definitely giving hateful vibes though. 

The book really took a turn when she moved into the house. I figured Jillian trying to warn her about him was just pure jealousy but maybe she was actually on to something. When the truth slowly trickles out you’re left like what in the Jerry Springer cause Chloe was really out there lol.

Overall, the book was meh I felt it was too short for what the author intended to do with the story. The slow build and the cat and mouse game might lose readers because of the constant back and forth. The ending was actually surprising to say the least but money talks so I get it. I’ve never read  the classic Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier to compare the two but I think I just might after reading this. 

Special thanks to the author & @ballentinebooks for my gifted copy‼️

This is my 2nd book by the author and while I didn’t love this one as much as Black Cake it was still a great book. Wilkerson’s writing is amazing and has a way of pulling readers into the world of the characters she creates. 

Good Dirt follows Ebby years after she witnessed the home invasion and murdering of her 15-year-old brother Baz. This was such a traumatic experience for her that it caused a little bit of PTSD. To make matters worse her soon to be husband ghosted her on their wedding day with no explanation. She actually dodged a bullet because his reasoning was baffling and cowardice. Dealing with years of trauma, heartbreak, and all these suppressed emotions Ebby is in need of a getaway. But her planned trip to France opens the door for unwanted relationship drama and the uncovering of hidden secrets. 

While reading this I kept wondering what this family heirloom “Old Mo” had to do with the story. Even though the author wove all the timelines together perfectly this was the only plot line I could’ve done without. It resulted in multiple timelines and to many extra characters that made the book seem all over the place. I get the purpose behind it but it took away from the story.

The present timeline should’ve been the main focus because it added more depth and made it worth reading. The trip to France was quite awkward considering Ebby ran into her ex and she kinda became buddies with his girlfriend. It was a whole lot of sister wife behavior going on lol. We could’ve done without this part honestly but what’s a book without a little drama. 

Overall, this was okay but was also a lot to unpack and hard to put down because you’re curious to see what happens next. It was giving literary suspense if that’s even a thing. We have the murder, the family heirloom, learning about the Freeman’s legacy and ancestry, on top of Ebby’s personal struggles and her encounters with Henry. There was so much to love about the book but also a lot that ruined its potential to hold readers attention. If you’re thinking about reading it I say go for it because you might really enjoy it. 

Rating: 3.75/5⭐️

Special thanks to the author & @readforeverpub for my gifted copy‼️This was a cute and fluffy read but I could’ve done without the audio lol the narrator for Thad annoyed me so bad. The pacing was fair and we get quite a few subplots with Ashanti being the owner of the doggy daycare, trying to parent her twin sisters, focus on her dreams, and make time for dating. It’s crazy how the dogs became the highlight of the book lol but I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope which is why I wanted to read this one. Did the author deliver? In so many ways yes but I still wanted more or maybe I would’ve enjoyed the book had I not listened to the audio. Overall, it’s a decent story if you like slow-burn romance or the enemies-to-lovers trope you’ll like this book. 

Rating: 3.5/5⭐️

Special thanks to @hearourvoicestours & @tnzfiction for my gifted copy and to @thomasnelson for my gifted ALC‼️

Vanessa Miller has done it again shedding light on such a tragic time in history the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. This is the 2nd book I’ve read about the massacre and no matter how it’s told the situation remains tragically heartbreaking. 

The Filling Station follows two sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice both with future plans in fashion and the other in teaching. When the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre occurs the sisters suffer from a devastating loss as well as the entire Black community of Greenwood. Left with nothing but each other, the sisters flee along what would eventually become iconic Route 66 and stumble upon the Threatt Filling Station, a safe haven and the only place where they can find a shred of hope in oppressive Jim Crow America. At the filling station, they are able to process their pain, fill up their souls, and find strength as they wrestle with a faith in God that has left them feeling abandoned.

The narrative was so captivating yet unsettling the way Miller explored the struggles faced by the community of Greenwood. After destroying everything they worked hard for the community did not let it break them, they didn’t give up, and they refused to leave. Many people would’ve packed up and never looked back but to remain and rebuild was the truest definition of standing on business. 

Miller flawlessly portrayed Margaret and Evelyn’s devastating reality and their commitment to survive. Margaret was a very strong character who often questioned God a lot only to marry a man of faith. I loved Elijah for her and the fact he experienced just as much hardship and still stood strong. What they did to his grandmother was unimaginable. I think Evelyn’s character might’ve made me grow a few grey hairs the way that girl had me stressed. The Threatt family was everything those girls and that community needed. 

Overall, this book was AMAZING Vanessa Miller does not disappoint. There is so much depth and authenticity in the character development and tension within their personal encounters if I didn’t know it was fiction I’d believe every word. The book was a perfect blend of history, drama, and life-altering decisions that make this story both fascinating and emotionally gripping. I know I don’t have to say it but I highly recommend this book‼️