rebeccasreadingrambles's Reviews (3.06k)

This was a fun and adorable romance. I loved both Grace and Ava and was glad that this turned out to be more of a second chance, reconnection romance than real enemies to lovers (as in, they communicated their hurt / frustrations quickly without dragging it out). I loved their chemistry and their shared love of bowling; which is such a FUN set up - bowling coaches turned lovers?! YES please. I loved all the friends that heckled and encouraged them in equal measure, as close family and friends tend to do. I also love that they fought for what they wanted without letting outside pressure bring them down. This was a short and sweet romance and I can't wait to continue the series with more of these characters!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it for both the banter and the fire in both MCs!

Another delightful book in this cozy series. There is quite as bit of drama, but I love it was handled. I loved seeing Grace taking charge while Precious was recuperating and how she piecing things together.

I loooove these audiobooks!

I loved this SO much! So gay, so much joy, so many laughs. The BEST characters. The found family vibes and how these characters all find each other, in every alternate universe, made me tear up. I actually cried a lot because the writing is beautiful, it tackles the feeling of never being enough, and just creates these amazing relationships. I loved the main couple so much, but I equally loved all the other couples just about equally because they brought so much joy and trust. I adored how the characters trusted this crazy thing that seemed to be happening because they trusted each other. Even when they had to experiment and push the boundaries. The spice levels were perfection because this couple was fully vulnerable with each other. Sassy, smart, I just had SO MUCH FUN reading this!

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

A detective + a famous musician is not a combo I knew I needed until this book. Holy smokes they are so good together, I love how caring they are of each other even from the start. They share their pasts and their secrets parts of themselves and I love how they connect and understand each other. This was a light and fun book that kept you on your toes with the mystery and kept you swooning over the romance. I am really loving the romance + mystery subgenre and I finished this in one day!  It had all my favorite aspects of both genres. I was shocked by the ending and loved the heart pounding race to the end (and the sweet sweet moments).

Note: I listened to the audiobook and it perfectly brought to life the complexity of the plot while keeping the tone overall pretty light and cheerful (except the ending wow!)

Thanks to the publishers for the free ARC and ALC; my thoughts and review are my own.

 Woah this book was an adventure! It starts out with a bang and does not let up, and I finished it within 24 hours. I am INVESTED. I am obsessed with the different storylines and figuring out how the past meets up with the present. The whole Checquy set up and hierarchy; from how they are recruited (ahem forced) to join, to how they rise in the ranks to how they operate in the field. Genius. Fascinating. Ooh I don't want to spoil anything, but there are some serious twists and shocking moments. There are also some points where you find yourself nodding on to some things that would sound absolutely crazy if you tried to explain them to someone, but just work perfectly in this book. It's amazing how fast the author gets your acclimated to this alternate version of the world and all the secrets so that little phases you by the end.

The PERFECT mix of Sci-Fi and crime fiction!

I need to read the next one immediately.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and it was for sure the way to go. At first it seemed like it might be confusing with the different POVs/timelines, but it was easy to determine based on the general cadence and attitude of each POV. I loved it.

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy; my thoughts and review are my own. 

I adored this book.  The author's writing is like a big hug, even when it's breaking your heart. There is just something so cozy and welcoming about the way she tells stories, so that even when the worst is happening or you are feeling such big emotions for the characters, you still feel safe and cared for. It's such a talent for the author to have. This book had so many fascinating aspects, but my favorite is the under-explored time after the war when the women were being removed from the jobs that they stepped up to do during wartime. Laws were actually passed saying that only men could be hired?! I get that men returning from war who have given so much, should be given the chance to support themselves and their families. But it's amazing how throughout history the women are so easily forgotten. Their sacrifices, their loss, their strength to jump into unfamiliar and many times dangerous situations is simply brushed aside so easily for the men. It infuriated me so much and the fact that the problem was left mostly unsolved (with a few exceptions) or only helped by strategic marriages on the part of women, was hard but also showed the reality of what happened in history.  There were so many great aspects (and terribly unlikable characters) in this book that I didn't want to stop reading. The way that Klaus was treated (a German sent to a camp, nothing to do with the war and then treated so horribly by everyone after the war) was devastating. The way non-white characters were treated so disgustingly. So many important themes and reminders in this book. The ending had me in tears. This book will stick with me for a while.

Note: I listened to the audiobook with one of my favorite narrators and she knocked it out of the park as usual; showing the perfect emotional ranges of the many very different characters.

I LOVE THIS SERIES. I seriously cannot get enough of this series and Sadie and this book was even better than book 1 (which I adored).

I would go on a cycling tour with her in a instant (regardless of the constant crimes) because she is so much fun. I love her attitude, her fun facts, her passion for both cycling and the beauty of France (and all the croissants of course). I love how she balances being a tour guide and letting her guests get their way, with keeping them on track AND investigating crimes. I love her relationship with Laurent and how they trust each other and treat each other kindly; I cannot wait for more of them!

I adore small villages and this one sounds like the ideal visit. This book had my mouth watering from the food (wine and cheese and cabbage!) and I wish I could stroll the streets browsing.  The mystery was heartbreaking, but I love how this group of sassy and strong headed seniors kept the humor HIGH and made this book so delightfully cozy.  The ending was drama and I could not turn the pages fast enough.

I hope we get more of this series, I already miss it!!

Thanks to the publisher for a free ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.

What a wild ride! This book started off dramatically and did not let up;  it as so fun and hard to put down. I love both POVs equally and it was interesting how the story kind of came together from two ends that met in the middle with the most shocking reveals.  The writing was so good, I felt emotional for Willow as a mom who would do anything for her son, and my heart pounded for Rayna thrown into danger. I love how I was semi-confused the entire time, but so fascinated with the diamond business (especially the lab grown space).  The ending was so well executed for shock and awe and a bit of cheering down to the very last page.

Note: The audiobook narration was perfect. The way it elevated my heartrate and I felt like I had to pace and look over my shoulder while reading was so well done!

Thanks to the publisher for a netgalley ARC and ALC; my thoughts and review are my own.

Oh this book had such beautiful writing. I love how it was written in more of a storytelling style, without a lot of dialogue, because for some reason it really made this feel more like memories into the past. I could imagine Pauline watching The Mapes Hotel fall and having all these memories of her past flash behind her eyes.

I loved Pauline so much; her passion for the horses and her daughter was lovely to read about. I really enjoyed all the scenes with the horses and feel like I learned a lot about the Mustangs. Pauline is so brave - moving from Paris to Reno with her mother and growing up so quickly in her new environment. She embraced it fully and persevered through everything.  

Even though her time with Marilyn was short, it was so poignant and it helped turn her life around so she could follow her dreams. The fact that Marilyn was struggling so badly, but fought through her depression to push Pauline to never give up made me appreciate her even more (even as my heart broke for her). And even though it seemed like such a short acquaintance, it was one of those moments that everyone has in their life that stays at the top of your mind and in your heart even long after, which feels so relatable (even if you haven't met a celebrity).

Thanks to the publisher for a netgalley ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.

This book was confusing in the best way. I had a little trouble keeping characters straight at first... until people starting dying (eep). This wasn't 5 stars for me because I really missed Poirot for a good chunk of the book, but I did enjoy the investigation's twists and turns and the ending was absolutely mind blowing!

Also Agatha Christie really loves to put romance in the most unlikely of stories.