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stephsbooktalk's Reviews (915)
Mini Audiobook Review: Thank you so much to PRH Audio for the complimentary copy of this book!
This book has been on my radar since it came out because HOW CUTE IS THIS COVER! Also I really wanted to explore the cowboy/historical romance. And if anyone is wanting to get into that genre, I think this is a great gateway into that genre.
Junebug is my favorite character and thought she was incredible funny! She is such a strong, independent and can tell that she is one not to be mess with even as a young girl (unclear of her age). She loves her brothers but is ready for them to be married and to have a wife to help take care of them. I love that fact that she put an ad in a newspaper geared towards marriages which was a sign of the times and I imagine would be equivalent of signing somebody up on a dating app in today's terms.
I love the stubbornness and broodiness of the brothers and I'm excited to see what other brothers get their own book. Kit McBride was not thrilled that his kid sister set up this mail order bride but in the end he fell for the Irish immigrant Maddy Mooney.
I did the audio for this and thought Eva Kaminsky was wonderful. This isn't my first book with her as the narrator and she definitely has her own unique style of narration. As with previous narrations, it did take me a bit to get use to her style but then we were set sailing.
I thought this book was a great gateway into the series & while some parts were memorable, overall it was just okay. I recommend this book if you are looking for a palette cleanser after perhaps an emotional or heavy read. It is filled with laughs, hijinxs, and the family bond all in the western time set in Montana.
This book has been on my radar since it came out because HOW CUTE IS THIS COVER! Also I really wanted to explore the cowboy/historical romance. And if anyone is wanting to get into that genre, I think this is a great gateway into that genre.
Junebug is my favorite character and thought she was incredible funny! She is such a strong, independent and can tell that she is one not to be mess with even as a young girl (unclear of her age). She loves her brothers but is ready for them to be married and to have a wife to help take care of them. I love that fact that she put an ad in a newspaper geared towards marriages which was a sign of the times and I imagine would be equivalent of signing somebody up on a dating app in today's terms.
I love the stubbornness and broodiness of the brothers and I'm excited to see what other brothers get their own book. Kit McBride was not thrilled that his kid sister set up this mail order bride but in the end he fell for the Irish immigrant Maddy Mooney.
I did the audio for this and thought Eva Kaminsky was wonderful. This isn't my first book with her as the narrator and she definitely has her own unique style of narration. As with previous narrations, it did take me a bit to get use to her style but then we were set sailing.
I thought this book was a great gateway into the series & while some parts were memorable, overall it was just okay. I recommend this book if you are looking for a palette cleanser after perhaps an emotional or heavy read. It is filled with laughs, hijinxs, and the family bond all in the western time set in Montana.
Reread: I had been wanting to reread this one for a bit now because this story stayed with me for so long after I read it. This is such a beautiful romance and is nothing like the contemporary romances with the cartoon covers that you see everywhere. I was hoping there would be two narrators - one for Rosie & one of Will but there was only one. Perhaps I would have had a different experience while listening. I think this is one that I am glad that I read the book first. I still loved it so much and recommend when you want a little more of a romance that feels more realistic.
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Thank you so much to Pamela Dorman Books/Viking & Random House for an advance copy of this!
This will be published on June 20, 2023.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I had first heard about this book while listening to a podcast and the host was talking about it and how much she loved it. So when the widget arrived I was really excited to read this book.
I definitely would say this is women's fiction more so than a romance BUT romance plays a part in the story as the love between Will and Rosie is very present.
I am having trouble coming up with things to say. Not because I didn't enjoy this but because I enjoyed it so much and I just want to make sure I am able to express my love for it. I also want to be careful I don't say too much and spoil the story.
I do warn those who read that this is a book without quotation marks. This was my first to read a book without them on an ereader and it definitely took some getting used to.
Sorry, he says to her.
What for?
For taking so long, he says.
I kept finding myself wanting to keep reading this book even when I was balancing a few others. My mind kept thinking about Will & Rosie and where the story was going and how it was going to end. This book is told over a decades of time starting as late teens until the are in their late 30s. The push and pull of their relationship and the gravity of their attraction is present throughout the whole book and you can't help but root for them.
Will was my favorite character in this. He had such a great arc throughout the book and I was so proud of the man he became. It is not that I didn't mind Rosie, but I had some issues with being such a people pleaser and never doing things for herself. It took awhile for her to finally speak for herself and I'm glad Will was there to give her that push to be the Rosie he knew she could be.
The couple went through so much together that as a reader it was getting frustrated when you wanted it to go one way but it went the complete opposite. And multiple times I kept saying "why can't they get their happy ending", "will this be the time they stay together?" or "what is going to happen next to them".
I wish we got an epilogue because I needed to know what happens a year from where the book ended. Though I guess it would be up to us as readers to decide their future.
I am not sure if this book will be for everyone but I thought it was fantastic and I am so glad that I have read it. I think this would be a great choice for book clubs as there are lots of layers to discuss. I cannot wait until my reader friends read this and get their thoughts.
These characters will stick with me for awhile and I may have to revisit them again.
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Thank you so much to Pamela Dorman Books/Viking & Random House for an advance copy of this!
This will be published on June 20, 2023.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I had first heard about this book while listening to a podcast and the host was talking about it and how much she loved it. So when the widget arrived I was really excited to read this book.
I definitely would say this is women's fiction more so than a romance BUT romance plays a part in the story as the love between Will and Rosie is very present.
I am having trouble coming up with things to say. Not because I didn't enjoy this but because I enjoyed it so much and I just want to make sure I am able to express my love for it. I also want to be careful I don't say too much and spoil the story.
I do warn those who read that this is a book without quotation marks. This was my first to read a book without them on an ereader and it definitely took some getting used to.
Sorry, he says to her.
What for?
For taking so long, he says.
I kept finding myself wanting to keep reading this book even when I was balancing a few others. My mind kept thinking about Will & Rosie and where the story was going and how it was going to end. This book is told over a decades of time starting as late teens until the are in their late 30s. The push and pull of their relationship and the gravity of their attraction is present throughout the whole book and you can't help but root for them.
Will was my favorite character in this. He had such a great arc throughout the book and I was so proud of the man he became. It is not that I didn't mind Rosie, but I had some issues with being such a people pleaser and never doing things for herself. It took awhile for her to finally speak for herself and I'm glad Will was there to give her that push to be the Rosie he knew she could be.
The couple went through so much together that as a reader it was getting frustrated when you wanted it to go one way but it went the complete opposite. And multiple times I kept saying "why can't they get their happy ending", "will this be the time they stay together?" or "what is going to happen next to them".
I wish we got an epilogue because I needed to know what happens a year from where the book ended. Though I guess it would be up to us as readers to decide their future.
I am not sure if this book will be for everyone but I thought it was fantastic and I am so glad that I have read it. I think this would be a great choice for book clubs as there are lots of layers to discuss. I cannot wait until my reader friends read this and get their thoughts.
These characters will stick with me for awhile and I may have to revisit them again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming
Thank you so much to Wednesday Books & St Martins for an advance copy of this!
Thank you so much to MacMillan Audio for an advance copy of the audio!
If you know me, you know I am a sucker for anything boy band related so I was elated when I received a widget for this book.
This book took a spin on the "two band mates falling for each other" trope as what was different is that David had quit the band prior to them taking off and then tragedy brought Chance back into his life.
"Well," she breathed. "I'm pregnant now, how 'about you?"
I often forgot that I was reading about teenagers as I felt that they were dealing with very much grown up experiences. As much as I love the celeb culture, I will always protest that I could and would never want to be a celebrity. The constant lens on you, the lack of privacy and then add growing up and not able to make mistakes? No thank you. We saw this each time David & Chance would try to go out and be teens and would be swarm. Even though an average reader may think the paparazzi chase seemed far fetched, I do not believe so. I can't even imagine what stars like Justin Bieber went through as a teen heartthrob. It is amazing what the media and fans do to celebrities. OH and then let's add being a closeted queer teen in there.
"I'm always pretending, Holc. Except maybe with you."
I liked how this relationship was a gradual build and how David & Chance really had no clue what they were doing or feeling but knew they had a pull towards one another. Selfishly I would have love Chance's POV to see what was going on in his brain. I like how the book dealt with David's resentment and jealousy of what could've been for him. Though I am sure the idea of therapy would probably be the best route to take especially with the loss of his friend & now this new public relationship. I really liked Chance's character and how open he was to the perils of fame as a teen and how he knows that he is perceived a certain way. Fame has a way of making one more mature than the average person and I think that definitely was the case for Chance. He was able to articulate and tell David his feelings and his struggles. And then in return encouraged David to do the same.
I also paired this with the audio which I thought Ramon de Ocampo delivered wonderfully! He brought the vulnerability and the angst to each character. The pacing was good & the tone of the narration was good.
I wish Darkhearts were a real band because I know I would definitely be listening to them and likely fangirling over them as a teen errrr or as an adult.
Thank you so much to MacMillan Audio for an advance copy of the audio!
If you know me, you know I am a sucker for anything boy band related so I was elated when I received a widget for this book.
This book took a spin on the "two band mates falling for each other" trope as what was different is that David had quit the band prior to them taking off and then tragedy brought Chance back into his life.
"Well," she breathed. "I'm pregnant now, how 'about you?"
I often forgot that I was reading about teenagers as I felt that they were dealing with very much grown up experiences. As much as I love the celeb culture, I will always protest that I could and would never want to be a celebrity. The constant lens on you, the lack of privacy and then add growing up and not able to make mistakes? No thank you. We saw this each time David & Chance would try to go out and be teens and would be swarm. Even though an average reader may think the paparazzi chase seemed far fetched, I do not believe so. I can't even imagine what stars like Justin Bieber went through as a teen heartthrob. It is amazing what the media and fans do to celebrities. OH and then let's add being a closeted queer teen in there.
"I'm always pretending, Holc. Except maybe with you."
I liked how this relationship was a gradual build and how David & Chance really had no clue what they were doing or feeling but knew they had a pull towards one another. Selfishly I would have love Chance's POV to see what was going on in his brain. I like how the book dealt with David's resentment and jealousy of what could've been for him. Though I am sure the idea of therapy would probably be the best route to take especially with the loss of his friend & now this new public relationship. I really liked Chance's character and how open he was to the perils of fame as a teen and how he knows that he is perceived a certain way. Fame has a way of making one more mature than the average person and I think that definitely was the case for Chance. He was able to articulate and tell David his feelings and his struggles. And then in return encouraged David to do the same.
I also paired this with the audio which I thought Ramon de Ocampo delivered wonderfully! He brought the vulnerability and the angst to each character. The pacing was good & the tone of the narration was good.
I wish Darkhearts were a real band because I know I would definitely be listening to them and likely fangirling over them as a teen errrr or as an adult.
Mini Review: This is not a type of book that I normally would pick on my own to read but it was selected in my Book Brunch Club and I enjoyed it.
I have never read a book (besides Twilight) where a human was involved with a non human. I do wish Theo was a little more alien in their shape but hey that would take this genre to another level LOL
The beginning was a little iffy with setting the stage but once we got the ball rolling in her choosing a partner I was invested. This definitely felt like a romance with a bit of sci-fi/fantasy elements in there that was low world building enough for me to follow. Everything was explained which was helpful for my brain. I thought the spice in this was pretty good. And there was one storyline towards the end that kind of made me go "really?" which I won't say due to spoilers.
I did pair this with the audio and it was okay. I am not sure if it was the speed or the narrator or a mix of both but it felt like the narrator wasn't taking any breaths & sometimes it sounded like they were running sentences. I also was surprised that the narrator was a male when it was told from a female point of view though I did appreciate it when Theo did come into the picture.
I am very excited to discuss this with the group & get their thoughts on it!
Will I continue with the series? I will never say never.
Will I read another romance between a human & non-human? Absolutely!
I have never read a book (besides Twilight) where a human was involved with a non human. I do wish Theo was a little more alien in their shape but hey that would take this genre to another level LOL
The beginning was a little iffy with setting the stage but once we got the ball rolling in her choosing a partner I was invested. This definitely felt like a romance with a bit of sci-fi/fantasy elements in there that was low world building enough for me to follow. Everything was explained which was helpful for my brain. I thought the spice in this was pretty good. And there was one storyline towards the end that kind of made me go "really?" which I won't say due to spoilers.
I did pair this with the audio and it was okay. I am not sure if it was the speed or the narrator or a mix of both but it felt like the narrator wasn't taking any breaths & sometimes it sounded like they were running sentences. I also was surprised that the narrator was a male when it was told from a female point of view though I did appreciate it when Theo did come into the picture.
I am very excited to discuss this with the group & get their thoughts on it!
Will I continue with the series? I will never say never.
Will I read another romance between a human & non-human? Absolutely!
Mini Audiobook Review - **I will not be rating Non Fiction books as it is based on real events and real experiences.**
If you are a fan of One Direction or any of the members, this is a must listen.
This definitely mentions other fandoms but the Directioners took center stage. It also made me very thankful that I was a grown adult (even though some adults still act like children) I was not fully into the fandoms on the internet. Growing up in the early aughts I was part of the NSYNC vs BSB and I can't even imagine what it would be like if we had Tumblr, Tik Tok, Twitter, IG at that time.
The only chapter that I was iffy on but I understood why it was included was the chapter on "Larrystylinson". I am not a Larry and do not like all the conspiracies theories (which was all mentioned) and I don't like how it keeps getting brought to light. And the whole "babygate" is just ridiculous. I remember that at the time and couldn't believe that people believed it.
I really enjoyed this & really related to a lot of the content.
I am a 36 year old fan girl and will be one until I am no longer here on Earth.
Also I love how the title of this book comes from a deep cut One Direction song & definitely has some brownie points for that!
This definitely mentions other fandoms but the Directioners took center stage. It also made me very thankful that I was a grown adult (even though some adults still act like children) I was not fully into the fandoms on the internet. Growing up in the early aughts I was part of the NSYNC vs BSB and I can't even imagine what it would be like if we had Tumblr, Tik Tok, Twitter, IG at that time.
The only chapter that I was iffy on but I understood why it was included was the chapter on "Larrystylinson". I am not a Larry and do not like all the conspiracies theories (which was all mentioned) and I don't like how it keeps getting brought to light. And the whole "babygate" is just ridiculous. I remember that at the time and couldn't believe that people believed it.
I really enjoyed this & really related to a lot of the content.
I am a 36 year old fan girl and will be one until I am no longer here on Earth.
Also I love how the title of this book comes from a deep cut One Direction song & definitely has some brownie points for that!
Thank you so much to Avid Reader Press for an advance copy of this!
Thank you so much to Libro Fm for the complimentary audio!
"Enjoy the ride."
If you are looking for a fast pace, edge-of-seat thrilling adventure of what it would be like to be in a drowning plane? This is the book for you!
Does this make me fearful of ever taking a plane again? Absolutely!
I devoured TJ Newman's first book Falling in one sitting (via audiobook) and this one was no exception. If anything I was even more sucked into this story and thought it was a complete step up from the prior book and that book was just about perfect.
I do love that TJ Newman uses her extensive knowledge of airplanes (former flight attendant) and weaves those technical items within the book. Sometimes it did get to be a lot BUT it was just enough to keep the story moving along.
I love that this was in forced proximity (a favorite trope of mine) and you got to really get to know the different passengers on the plane.
I paired the ebook with the audio courtesy of Libro.FM and my goodness actors Steven Weber and Laura Benanti were fantastic narrators. And I love how during some chapters they would float in and out of the text as opposed to one narrating one chapter, and one narrating the next.
I think this book along with her prior book has the appeal to reach the masses of any gender and will be a perfect page-turner for the summer!
Also can we talk about how amazing this cover is? Once again stellar & eye-catching!
Thank you so much to Libro Fm for the complimentary audio!
"Enjoy the ride."
If you are looking for a fast pace, edge-of-seat thrilling adventure of what it would be like to be in a drowning plane? This is the book for you!
Does this make me fearful of ever taking a plane again? Absolutely!
I devoured TJ Newman's first book Falling in one sitting (via audiobook) and this one was no exception. If anything I was even more sucked into this story and thought it was a complete step up from the prior book and that book was just about perfect.
I do love that TJ Newman uses her extensive knowledge of airplanes (former flight attendant) and weaves those technical items within the book. Sometimes it did get to be a lot BUT it was just enough to keep the story moving along.
I love that this was in forced proximity (a favorite trope of mine) and you got to really get to know the different passengers on the plane.
I paired the ebook with the audio courtesy of Libro.FM and my goodness actors Steven Weber and Laura Benanti were fantastic narrators. And I love how during some chapters they would float in and out of the text as opposed to one narrating one chapter, and one narrating the next.
I think this book along with her prior book has the appeal to reach the masses of any gender and will be a perfect page-turner for the summer!
Also can we talk about how amazing this cover is? Once again stellar & eye-catching!
Reread: Still just as fabulous and I always will love being back in Alex & Poppy's world. Alex had some great
Mini Audiobook: 3.5 - Thank you so much to PRH Audio for the complimentary audio!
I kept thinking of the show "California Dreams" from the 90s (yes, I am showing my age) which was about high schoolers who were in a band. Now The Daydreams sounded WAY cooler than the show.
I love the concept of this and the fact that some of it took place in the early 2000s. It was such a magical time and I am so glad I got to grow up during that time before and after the internet.
I think with the different timelines and the characters, I really wished I had read or had the physical copy of the book while listening. I may revisit this with the text because I am definitely into the premise of the book & want to be in their world.
This book would be a perfect summer read by the pool while listening to your favorite y2k playlist.
I kept thinking of the show "California Dreams" from the 90s (yes, I am showing my age) which was about high schoolers who were in a band. Now The Daydreams sounded WAY cooler than the show.
I love the concept of this and the fact that some of it took place in the early 2000s. It was such a magical time and I am so glad I got to grow up during that time before and after the internet.
I think with the different timelines and the characters, I really wished I had read or had the physical copy of the book while listening. I may revisit this with the text because I am definitely into the premise of the book & want to be in their world.
This book would be a perfect summer read by the pool while listening to your favorite y2k playlist.
Mini Audiobook Review:
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for a complimentary copy of the audio!
I thought this was a fun romance to listen to! It took a bit for me to get into the groove of the story but I really enjoyed the budding romance between Declan and Margo.
The theme of podcasts in books is such a frequent occurrence more so in the thriller space but there are some romances like this that have it in there. I thought it was interesting that the whole purpose of the podcast is for the hosts to have casual relationships as there could be the chance that the person would find themselves being in a relationship. Which in this case, happened and then the fall out from their listeners finding out that the one host lied about their relationship status. I understand that this is fictional but did they think about what would happen?!
Forced proximity played such a vital role in this romance as both Declan and Margo are stuck on this island for their friends wedding. As much as Margo sometimes didn't want to be around Declan, he was always going to be there which made the tension even better. He always had feelings for Margo but she just couldn't put down her walls until it was too late.
This was a cute romance; not one of my favorites of the year but I still really enjoyed it!
I thought the audio was a quick listen & Kristina Vickers did a wonderful job throughout the book.
Check this book out if you like high school crushes, island setting, wedding theme, force proximity.
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for a complimentary copy of the audio!
I thought this was a fun romance to listen to! It took a bit for me to get into the groove of the story but I really enjoyed the budding romance between Declan and Margo.
The theme of podcasts in books is such a frequent occurrence more so in the thriller space but there are some romances like this that have it in there. I thought it was interesting that the whole purpose of the podcast is for the hosts to have casual relationships as there could be the chance that the person would find themselves being in a relationship. Which in this case, happened and then the fall out from their listeners finding out that the one host lied about their relationship status. I understand that this is fictional but did they think about what would happen?!
Forced proximity played such a vital role in this romance as both Declan and Margo are stuck on this island for their friends wedding. As much as Margo sometimes didn't want to be around Declan, he was always going to be there which made the tension even better. He always had feelings for Margo but she just couldn't put down her walls until it was too late.
This was a cute romance; not one of my favorites of the year but I still really enjoyed it!
I thought the audio was a quick listen & Kristina Vickers did a wonderful job throughout the book.
Check this book out if you like high school crushes, island setting, wedding theme, force proximity.
Mini Audiobook Review:
Thank you so much to Vintage Books for an advance copy of the book!
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for a complimentary audio of this!
**I will not be rating Non Fiction books as it is based on real events and real experiences.**
If Samantha Irby writes it, I will read it.
I absolutely loved <i>Wow, No Thank You</i> and still need to read her prior work but I know I will love it. If given the choice to read or listen, definitely do audio. Samantha is such a great narrator and I could listen to her talk all the time.
The honesty that comes through in her words is unparalleled. I know she is speaking from her own experience but the average person can certainly relate. So many times I found myself laughing and nodding along in her stories.
One of my husband's best friends is a massive Dave Matthews fan and I was reading to him parts of her chapter on her love of DMB. He did agree with some of her song choices of her favorites including one he wasn't familiar with by the title.
Loved her chapter on when she got her dog because if you know me you know that I did not want my furchild Harry when we got him. We had a very rough beginning but now he has become my child & follows me around and relies on me daily.
I also could relate to the chapter of "How to look cool in front of teens." And need to keep these in mind when I am around my younger nephew. When I think I am being a "Cool Aunt" could very well be the opposite - oops!
Highly recommend if you are looking for a collection essays that are super relatable & will make you laugh (or cringe)!
Thank you so much to Vintage Books for an advance copy of the book!
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for a complimentary audio of this!
**I will not be rating Non Fiction books as it is based on real events and real experiences.**
If Samantha Irby writes it, I will read it.
I absolutely loved <i>Wow, No Thank You</i> and still need to read her prior work but I know I will love it. If given the choice to read or listen, definitely do audio. Samantha is such a great narrator and I could listen to her talk all the time.
The honesty that comes through in her words is unparalleled. I know she is speaking from her own experience but the average person can certainly relate. So many times I found myself laughing and nodding along in her stories.
One of my husband's best friends is a massive Dave Matthews fan and I was reading to him parts of her chapter on her love of DMB. He did agree with some of her song choices of her favorites including one he wasn't familiar with by the title.
Loved her chapter on when she got her dog because if you know me you know that I did not want my furchild Harry when we got him. We had a very rough beginning but now he has become my child & follows me around and relies on me daily.
I also could relate to the chapter of "How to look cool in front of teens." And need to keep these in mind when I am around my younger nephew. When I think I am being a "Cool Aunt" could very well be the opposite - oops!
Highly recommend if you are looking for a collection essays that are super relatable & will make you laugh (or cringe)!