sarahsbookstack's Reviews (2.55k)

Despite almost DNF-ing this book at around 57 pages, I stuck with it and am glad I did! I FLEW through the rest of the book in a matter of hours.

There is a deadly disease known as The Blot, spread by the written word, so the Bards of the High House have banned ink and the use of it and also certain words can't be spoken out loud.
When Shae's mother is murdered, she sets out towards High House to learn the truth. What she finds is that she has the magic of the Telling, which the Bards possess.

You are thrust into this world without a lot of explanation as to the past beyond the Blot and the Tellings, but I figure that's part of the ban of the written word. It didn't bug me too much in this story. I knew a few of the bad guys but there were also some twists as to who had the right motivations for the things they did. I really want to see what happens in the concluding book.

This book is by no means all happy and "sunshine" as the title suggests. It's the story of a girl Brynn who is a survivor of domestic abuse and assault. This is my first book by Shannon that I won in a giveaway from her and I can't wait to read more of her work.

What makes this story make you feel something, despite the subject matter, is the author is herself a domestic abuse survivor. This story is fictional but make sure you read her author's note to understand why she felt the need to write this book. I have not been subjected to abuse so I can't know the reasons it's so hard to leave a situation like this, but the story made me feel sad for all who are in the situation. I felt everything Brynn feels at all times while reading. Her anguish and her anger.

It's so hard to read especially when the abuse is going on and the "guilt" Brynn feels when it's not.
Her husband has a troubled past and present with drugs and alcohol. 

But I felt Brynn got her happy ending and I really loved where she ended up with her kids.

I didn't read book 1 so I know there is a lot that I'm missing. This book was filmed with family drama, answer issues, people not knowing where they belong or what they are really doing with their life.

I felt so bad for Ava and how Daniel (not her biological father but the man who raised her) treated her after he found out. To him, blood is more important than love. 

Casey is thrust into Daniels world as his legitimate daughter but even she quickly realizes how controlling and mean he can be even to his own family.

Ollie has a lot of anger issues that she had to work through. When you find out why she's so angry, I don't blame her. I love that she gets the mental health help she needs.

I want to go back and read book 1 and am excited to see what book 3 might bring.

I really wanted to love this one because I adored The Secret of Snow but this was only ok to me.

I did not like Bonnie or Sutton. They both were so, I don't know, I can't think of a word but I just didn't care for either of them.

I was a little confused through the book. Maybe it was the timing (reading it on vacation) or the fact that I didn't like how it was structured (long sections instead of chapters of short or median length).

I had a lot of fun reading the fantasy stories Dani made up and killing her ex-husband but I kind of skimmed the rest of the book.

Peter was just an awful guy all around! I was really glad that Dani Red were able to finally show Sasha how horrible he was. He really deserved what he got in the end but I can't say much about what else I read.

Unfortunately this wasn't a book for me.

What a great book this was to read on vacation!

When LA party girl Piper goes a party too far and almost costs her stepfather a business relationship/money, he sends her to the place her deceased father was from, Westport. This is a small fishing town with Schitts Creek vibes and he has hopes she can learn the value of money there as she'll be cut off. Her sister Hannah (they are really tight and have such a great relationship) goes with her...... And there Piper meets Brendan. He's a hunky captain of a crabbing boat.

Their relationship becomes hot and heavy super fast. I really think Piper was less selfish in Westport. Brendan is such a good influence on her (despite telling her to leave immediately upon arriving 😂). I liked how Piper was able to make friends so easily, young and old, and really fell into the rhythm of the town quickly. 

I can't wait to start Hannah's story soon. It should be super fun, too. This is VERY open door just FYI if needed.

I almost gave up on this, honestly, until around 100 pages in. It was cute at bits but was not the big summer darling that all the other reviews seem to be.

Percy and Sam become friends at 13 when her parents buy a lake house next door to where Sam lives with his mom Sue and brother Charlie.

When Sue dies, Charlie calls Percy to come to the funeral. Of course she will because Sue was like a second mom to her but that will bring her again in proximity with Sam. Who she abandoned 12 years ago with no explanation.

There is a back and forth timeline I do love the format of. I can forgive the miscommunication when these 2 were 13 because they were kids and it's a first love, but the same miscommunication existed once they came together again as adults. They should have been able to grow in that time and learn how to talk to each other better.

When the reason finally comes out at the end why they lost touch, I didn't love it. 

This book was cute. I really liked the HOA (well more the management company of the HOA) and the MCs fight with each other and it makes me glad I don't live in one at the same time!

Amelia has just divorced and moved her two kids near her best friends. She puts a gnome in her front yard as she promised her children which immediately puts her on Carla's radar. She also meets Kyle (or ABS GUY lol) half dressers as the Easter Bunny at a neighborhood party.

They are attracted to each other and they become friends who both would love more but Amelia needs to focus on her kids and Kyle says he'll never date a woman with children again as he's been burned in the past.

Kyle was so good with the kids though and I love that he built a friendly foundation with them first. I live their banter together. I love how Amelia puts her kids first as she should because their actual dad is a loser (who treats them like trash 😢)

I love a good ghost story when it's more mystery and less horror and that's what I always get with Simone's books! 

I love the characters of Shea. She writes on the side for a blog called The Book of Cold Cases. She is obsessed with old murders that have never been solved. She doesn't drive stemming from an experience when she was 9 (which I went say but you find out along the way why) but I think we'd get along.

When she recognizes Beth, a women arrested and then acquitted as a murderess dubbed "The Lady Killer" back in 1977, she knows she has to solve this case! Beth herself was an interesting woman. She seemed so cold and calculated. 

St. James will always be a notary anticipated read for me. This one definitely did not disappoint me and I was thrilled with the ride!