rebeccasreadingrambles's Reviews (3.06k)

Oh wow cool I am still sobbing. I have never read a book that had me crying and laughing in equal measure... sometimes in the same page.  Oh god this writing was so fabulous that it physically hurt to read it as if I was loving and losing these people in real time, even though it's just a story. These dang kids are insanely resilient and I am in awe of them even as my heart breaks for them. The writing and the way the story is told in bits and pieces; in different POVs was perfection.

Note: Definitely listen to the audiobook so you can hold tissues and cry in public!

Ooh my I loved this book. I was immediately transported by the description of the island of Corfu and can understand why the MC does not want to leave the island (though some surprises are in store regarding that).  The characters were charming and fascinating and worked so well together. Seeing how Mimi took care of her kids and supported whatever they wanted and needed warmed my heart. And then her venture into first typing for and then sleuthing with her new neighbor (despite his surly demeanor and the salacious gossip surrounding him) was fascinating. I fell for both of them and their banter was perfect. There was a surprising amount of spark and longing in this book, even against the mysterious and dangerous landscape. I was SHOCKED by the twists and turns and the many bombshells at the ending had my jaw dropped. The writing had the perfect balance and I already cannot wait for more.

Audiobook note: I listened to this audiobook and it was fabulous. The narrator had the perfect smart, savvy, soothing and determined tone to perfectly represent our interesting and multifaceted protagonists.

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

I LOVE a messy narrator. Nic does not have her ish together AT ALL. She is a self-identified mess and when you learn more about her family and her past you are not surprised and I felt so badly for her.  Her parents didn't nurture her at all and all the responsibility was placed on her poor sister.  She makes so many mistakes and bad decisions, but I was rooting for her so hard this entire book. I love how this author creates her characters and leads us along a dark path. The book felt unsettling in the best way and had so many twists. I was SO satisfied with the ending (this author has the BEST endings) leaving me smirking by the end.  Desperate, dangerous, wild with nothing to lose, I had so much fun reading this book.

Note: I really loved the narration and how the voice was graveling and perfect for this struggling character, moving with desperation and pain.

Thanks to the publisher for an audiobook copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

Oooh my heart. I loved this. I love how this author writes flawed and selfish characters and characters with a heart of gold. I love that she pulls out the nuances of people’s characters and their intentions and doesn’t make anything appear just as they seem. I love how this explored the idea of privilege and how just having a home, being able to attend school, and have loving parents is a privilege that isn’t just all about how much money you have. I love that she makes people confront their privilege and their life and their attitudes. I love how she can make the seemingly unloveable lovable and also some characters just downright awful.  I loved the setting and the emotional rollercoaster that was this book. I loved this couple and seeing their growth and especially the epilogue. 

Note; I listened to the audiobook and it was perfection.

Oooh this was a good one. I had no idea what to really expecting going into it and it kept surprising me along the way.  Things are quite bleak at the start of the book and it puts the readers through the emotional wringer. This is a sloooow burn (no pun intended) and I love how the first part of the book focuses on some joy and the romance developing. Then WHAM revelations and secrets and things heat up (okay I can't help myself sorry) and it gets so dramatic to make your head spin. I love love loved the ending and this book had a serious hook in me!

Note: I alternated between the audiobook and print copy and it was so easy to do with the great audiobook narrators.

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

Oooh I loved this.  I love that this is in the same universe as her Bright Falls series and all the Easter eggs and the cameo had me screaming (and tear up a bit TBH). I adore both Dillon and Ramona and love how this author always gives us two equally lovable and flawed characters, so I am enthralled by every chapter. I loved seeing all of their growth both personally and in their relationship.  The set of a movie in a small town is such a great romance location and provided a lot of fun scenes.  The spice was SPICY which I loved and the writing is fantastic.  There was so much care and consent and making sure each person felt safe and satisfied and it was perfection. The side characters and family members are also messy and well developed and I already miss these characters.

Audiobook: I LOVED the audiobook narration!!

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

Well I loved this. It was exactly what I needed and I read it in one sitting. I loved the messy parents, the messy kids, and the amazing FBI detective piecing it all together. This had so much drama, was fast paced and had a few heart pounding, dangerous moments. It felt like something that could absolutely truly happen on a college campus and was written so well to bring out all your emotions. 

Note: I loved the audiobook and how it perfectly elevated the level of stress and drama.

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

This one was not for me. It was too slow for me in both the plot and the romance. I loved the idea of the magic and the bone melding. I LOVED the non-speaking MMC who used a signing language and made that so sexy. I love how I couldn’t full tell who was the villain and the demon who seemed like the villain was actually someone you could root for. I did not like how slow the plot progressed and how there was all this perceived danger and urgency but it wasn’t full displayed while until you get bits and pieces. And the romance was way too slow for me. There is slow burn and then there is this. 75% until any action (a kiss!) in a book this long is just too long. I did like the drama that made the romance a bad idea, but by the end I wasn’t invested enough. 

I loooved audiobook narrators!

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

 This was a fun start to a new cozy series. I love DC and enjoyed the thought of someone traveling there for the first time to write an article for a travel magazine. I instantly loved Oliver and his drive and bravery stepping into new unknown situations.  For someone on his first assignment, I was proud of him for getting comfortable so quickly. I did wish there was a little more focus on the travel writer content/idea as that's what hooked me, but was quickly dropped.  It was a bit slow and dragged to get started, before a lot of the drama happened. 
I did appreciate the timely subject of the dangers of self driving cars and the company politics in the new tech company.  I didn't love the romance as much as I thought I would, and I think I just didn't feel any chemistry between the MCs and kind of didn't like their vibe together at all. Ricky treated Oliver pretty inappropriately pretty quickly and poor Oliver was so uncomfortable, I felt so bad.  It will be interesting to see if this is continued or not.  I was shocked by the reveal and the dramatic ending!

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

 

I love this series and after so many books, I love seeing the evolution of the coffee shop, the Village Blend and how they have to learn how to adapt as the world and NYC changes. It gave me the most cozy NYC vibes, wishing I could travel downtown and visit this store. I would absolutely be stopping by on my way to work. I LOVED the idea of the Writer's Block and how all the talented baristas of the Blend contributed their skills and expertise to others to save their beloved coffee house. The mystery was intriguing and led to the most interesting places and quirky characters. Madame always cracks me up and the things she gets involved in (and thus Claire) always make me smile with the eccentricities. I was SHOCKED by the ending and I love how Claire got the upper hand in the end with the coffee shop's future as well.

Note: I really enjoyed this audiobook!