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stephsbooktalk's Reviews (915)
Mini Review: This was such a fun one! I think readers who enjoy dark thrillers will enjoy this one. This is told in two timelines - present day and ten years prior.
Present Day is a podcaster tries to uncover the mystery of a missing black girl and the past is of Daisy who sees ghosts and the mystery of a family house.
Even though this is a thriller with ghosts and a house that is hungry, there a some heavy topics that are in this.
My biggest issue with this book is that the book was a little long for me and because of that I felt like I had missed/forgotten stuff that had been mentioned earlier in the text.
Present Day is a podcaster tries to uncover the mystery of a missing black girl and the past is of Daisy who sees ghosts and the mystery of a family house.
Even though this is a thriller with ghosts and a house that is hungry, there a some heavy topics that are in this.
My biggest issue with this book is that the book was a little long for me and because of that I felt like I had missed/forgotten stuff that had been mentioned earlier in the text.
This was very different and unique.
Mini Review: Gosh I waited too long to read this one!!!!
I absolutely loved this and it gave me the adult version of "The Summer I Turned Pretty".
The audio was really good and I didn't want it to end.
Percy and Sam sounded like such a hot couple on page and I just wanted the best for them both.
Highly recommend if you love second chance romance, childhood friends to lovers, stories told from a past and present point of view.
I absolutely loved this and it gave me the adult version of "The Summer I Turned Pretty".
The audio was really good and I didn't want it to end.
Percy and Sam sounded like such a hot couple on page and I just wanted the best for them both.
Highly recommend if you love second chance romance, childhood friends to lovers, stories told from a past and present point of view.
Thank you so much to Random House for the advance copy of this book!
Holy cow I loved this book!!!! I absolutely love celeb & normal person romance trope and this one was no exception!
What was unique about this book was the format of the book. It was told in 3 chapters with an epilogue. Threw me off completely because if you know me, I hate long chapters.
"How had I developed a consuming, imbalance-inducing crush on Noah fucking fake-surfer Making-Love-in-July Brewster?"
The book is about a 36 year old woman Sally Milz who is a writer for a late night Saturday sketch comedy show called The Night Owls. The show has a history of the male employees who end up with female celebrities that appear on the show and she believes that the opposite cannot occur. Enter Noah Brewster who is a singer-songwriter who is scheduled to be the host and musical guest one weekend in 2018. After flirtatious exchanges and glances, the week didn't end up how either one expected. Fast forward two years later, we are in summer of 2020 and Covid is very much real in this world. The two reconnect over a series of emails and phone conversations before they meet in person.
My only grievance with this book is I really was getting angry at Sally. Things would be going so well for her and Noah and then suddenly it stop and accusations would come out of the left field. I was so happy at one point she questions if she is self sabotaging herself which I really wanted to yell YES at 11 at night but contained myself.
"I wanted to talk to you, and every time I've talked to you since I've always wanted to keep talking to you."
I thought the banter between Sally and Noah was wonderful. She has such snarky comebacks to the different characters that there were numerous times I would laugh out loud. And Noah, sweet Noah. He was added to my book boyfriend list because my goodness there was just something about him. Especially his vulnerability in the 2nd half of the book and it is what he embodied is what you could only hope to have in a partner.
Another thing that I loved about this compared to other romances I have read is the ages of the main characters. These characters are in their mid 30s which then extends to just about 40 years old by the end of the book. They are older, they have more life experiences but yet they still make mistakes and still have insecurities.
This does have a Covid storyline in the 2nd half of the book. It did not bother me but if this is something you are sensitive to then perhaps this isn't for you at this point in time. I think this may have been my first book where it was present so heavily and I was not bothered by it. It is hard to believe that we are 3 years removed from the height of it but this took you back in. Depending on how it played out, it may have brought tears to my eyes but luckily Curtis did not break my heart but instead just made it smile.
Despite the format of the book, I felt like I was breezing through it and thought it flowed quickly. Even though we were able to get a feel from Noah's perspective based off the dialogue, I selfishly would have loved to have had Noah's point of view. Once Noah made his feels known, there was no stopping him and he was so patient with Sally as she worked through her own emotions.
This book is perfect for those who love Saturday Night Live, celeb/normal person romance & a whole section of email exchange.
Bravo!!
Holy cow I loved this book!!!! I absolutely love celeb & normal person romance trope and this one was no exception!
What was unique about this book was the format of the book. It was told in 3 chapters with an epilogue. Threw me off completely because if you know me, I hate long chapters.
"How had I developed a consuming, imbalance-inducing crush on Noah fucking fake-surfer Making-Love-in-July Brewster?"
The book is about a 36 year old woman Sally Milz who is a writer for a late night Saturday sketch comedy show called The Night Owls. The show has a history of the male employees who end up with female celebrities that appear on the show and she believes that the opposite cannot occur. Enter Noah Brewster who is a singer-songwriter who is scheduled to be the host and musical guest one weekend in 2018. After flirtatious exchanges and glances, the week didn't end up how either one expected. Fast forward two years later, we are in summer of 2020 and Covid is very much real in this world. The two reconnect over a series of emails and phone conversations before they meet in person.
My only grievance with this book is I really was getting angry at Sally. Things would be going so well for her and Noah and then suddenly it stop and accusations would come out of the left field. I was so happy at one point she questions if she is self sabotaging herself which I really wanted to yell YES at 11 at night but contained myself.
"I wanted to talk to you, and every time I've talked to you since I've always wanted to keep talking to you."
I thought the banter between Sally and Noah was wonderful. She has such snarky comebacks to the different characters that there were numerous times I would laugh out loud. And Noah, sweet Noah. He was added to my book boyfriend list because my goodness there was just something about him. Especially his vulnerability in the 2nd half of the book and it is what he embodied is what you could only hope to have in a partner.
Another thing that I loved about this compared to other romances I have read is the ages of the main characters. These characters are in their mid 30s which then extends to just about 40 years old by the end of the book. They are older, they have more life experiences but yet they still make mistakes and still have insecurities.
This does have a Covid storyline in the 2nd half of the book. It did not bother me but if this is something you are sensitive to then perhaps this isn't for you at this point in time. I think this may have been my first book where it was present so heavily and I was not bothered by it. It is hard to believe that we are 3 years removed from the height of it but this took you back in. Depending on how it played out, it may have brought tears to my eyes but luckily Curtis did not break my heart but instead just made it smile.
Despite the format of the book, I felt like I was breezing through it and thought it flowed quickly. Even though we were able to get a feel from Noah's perspective based off the dialogue, I selfishly would have loved to have had Noah's point of view. Once Noah made his feels known, there was no stopping him and he was so patient with Sally as she worked through her own emotions.
This book is perfect for those who love Saturday Night Live, celeb/normal person romance & a whole section of email exchange.
Bravo!!
Thank you so much to St Martin's Press/St Martins Romance for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!.
Sigh. This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2023 and I am not sure if this one was for me. I am the exception as a lot of my reader friends absolutely adored this one so please don't take in consideration this review. And perhaps I just wasn't in the right headspace to read this as it was heavy in topics and I was hoping for more of a fun, spicy rom com.
Quick Recap: Indira walks in on her boyfriend in bed with another woman which prompts her to stay with her brother Colin, his fiancee Jeremy and Colin's childhood friend Jude. Jude and Indira were frenemies growing up and just never grew out of their "hate" towards each other. It's already enough that Indira and Jude have to share space but Colin & Jeremy's wedding is approaching quickly and she is forced to be around her ex as he is a groomsmen. Indira and Jude decide to fake date to help make Chris jealous and just so that they each have a friend through these events.
"How am I supposed to live with myself when my shortcomings could be the reason people no longer exist?"
I think for me what I wish was addressed was Jude's mental illness right away. Yes, it was talked about but we as the reader to to infer what exactly it was. It wasn't until about half way through where it was really discussed and even further when it was labeled. I didn't want to have to guess I knew what was on and make assumptions about the character. With that being said, once the item was addressed and Jude discussed with Indira his feelings and what has been going on with him, it all was beautiful. I thought Mazey brought Jude's pain to life and made it really believable. It also tackles a career that we do not normally see depicted in books and even in movies.
"Memories of you are inevitable."
One thing I really liked that is different than other fake dating tropes I have read was that they told people that this was a plan and why. Fake dating was one of my favorite tropes because we always know what ends up happening and the build up is always so good. I really liked how Indira stuck by Jude through his difficult days and inner thoughts. I think her being a therapist helped her without being *too* therapisty.
One thing that I have noticed thinking back is that I feel like the male main character stood out more than the female main character which is not often the case especially in a series that it switches like that.
I love that we got to catch up with other characters that we have grown to love over the course of this series. And I will miss them especially my girl Lizzie and Australian hunk Rake.
I am a massive Mazey fan as an author and just as a person and this will absolutely not deter me from reading her future work as I do love her writing style. I am looking forward to her YA debut later this year.
Sigh. This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2023 and I am not sure if this one was for me. I am the exception as a lot of my reader friends absolutely adored this one so please don't take in consideration this review. And perhaps I just wasn't in the right headspace to read this as it was heavy in topics and I was hoping for more of a fun, spicy rom com.
Quick Recap: Indira walks in on her boyfriend in bed with another woman which prompts her to stay with her brother Colin, his fiancee Jeremy and Colin's childhood friend Jude. Jude and Indira were frenemies growing up and just never grew out of their "hate" towards each other. It's already enough that Indira and Jude have to share space but Colin & Jeremy's wedding is approaching quickly and she is forced to be around her ex as he is a groomsmen. Indira and Jude decide to fake date to help make Chris jealous and just so that they each have a friend through these events.
"How am I supposed to live with myself when my shortcomings could be the reason people no longer exist?"
I think for me what I wish was addressed was Jude's mental illness right away. Yes, it was talked about but we as the reader to to infer what exactly it was. It wasn't until about half way through where it was really discussed and even further when it was labeled. I didn't want to have to guess I knew what was on and make assumptions about the character. With that being said, once the item was addressed and Jude discussed with Indira his feelings and what has been going on with him, it all was beautiful. I thought Mazey brought Jude's pain to life and made it really believable. It also tackles a career that we do not normally see depicted in books and even in movies.
"Memories of you are inevitable."
One thing I really liked that is different than other fake dating tropes I have read was that they told people that this was a plan and why. Fake dating was one of my favorite tropes because we always know what ends up happening and the build up is always so good. I really liked how Indira stuck by Jude through his difficult days and inner thoughts. I think her being a therapist helped her without being *too* therapisty.
One thing that I have noticed thinking back is that I feel like the male main character stood out more than the female main character which is not often the case especially in a series that it switches like that.
I love that we got to catch up with other characters that we have grown to love over the course of this series. And I will miss them especially my girl Lizzie and Australian hunk Rake.
I am a massive Mazey fan as an author and just as a person and this will absolutely not deter me from reading her future work as I do love her writing style. I am looking forward to her YA debut later this year.
Thank you so much to MacMillan audio for providing an advance copy of this audiobook!
This is my 2nd Sally Hepworth book and I can say that I enjoyed this one much more than the other I have read by her.
This started off strong right away. Gabe and Pippa's home is right along a spot where sadly individuals go to end their lives. Somehow Gabe is always there to save the day, this time though he did not succeed. As the story develops, we learn the connection Gabe and Pippa had to the victim and was her death on purpose?
I really liked that we got the two different point of views - one from Pippa and the other from Amanda (the deceased). Amanda's point of view was both present and past tense which helped piece the story together.
Pippa is a very dedicated wife & will stand by whatever her husband says and trust that is being truthful in what really happened that day on the ledge. But Pippa has her own secrets that she is keeping for everyone. Gabe's struggle with mental illness could have gone a little bit deeper.
As the book went on though, I became less invested in the characters and just was waiting for the truths or the lies to come to light. This wasn't the best thriller I have ever read BUT I enjoyed it enough to keep going and needed to see the mystery through.
The thought the audiobook narrators had done a great job bringing both characters to life.
This is my 2nd Sally Hepworth book and I can say that I enjoyed this one much more than the other I have read by her.
This started off strong right away. Gabe and Pippa's home is right along a spot where sadly individuals go to end their lives. Somehow Gabe is always there to save the day, this time though he did not succeed. As the story develops, we learn the connection Gabe and Pippa had to the victim and was her death on purpose?
I really liked that we got the two different point of views - one from Pippa and the other from Amanda (the deceased). Amanda's point of view was both present and past tense which helped piece the story together.
Pippa is a very dedicated wife & will stand by whatever her husband says and trust that is being truthful in what really happened that day on the ledge. But Pippa has her own secrets that she is keeping for everyone. Gabe's struggle with mental illness could have gone a little bit deeper.
As the book went on though, I became less invested in the characters and just was waiting for the truths or the lies to come to light. This wasn't the best thriller I have ever read BUT I enjoyed it enough to keep going and needed to see the mystery through.
The thought the audiobook narrators had done a great job bringing both characters to life.
Thank you so much to Celadon books for an advance copy of this!
Thank you so much to MacMillan for the complimentary audio of this!
I know it's only March but I have found one of my most unexpected reads of the year so far!
I am not a huge historical fiction reader but it is a genre I really wanted to try to embrace in 2023. Now in my head I was thinking more regency but hey baby steps.
This book will be published on March 21, 2023.
This book was told over the course of 37 years - with a bulk of it between 1940 to 1965.
Beatrix was sent to the United States during WWII while her parents stayed in the United Kingdom. She spent 5 years with the Gregory family, Nancy, Ethan, William and Gerald during an important time in growing up ages 11 to 16.
We then see Beatrix, William and Gerald grow up over the years and through their different point of views. Right before Bea is sent back home, her and William started a clandestine relationship. They never quite got over each other as we learn when they reunite in their 20s after tragedy strikes.
Over those 37 years we learn so much about the different main characters with there being 8 point of views through the pages. And honestly I did not feel overwhelmed or lost track of the characters. That is how well this was written.
I love how we saw the complex relationship between Bea and her mother Millie grow through challenges as Millie felt she was competing with Bea's relationship with Nancy.
Bea is one of those characters that you just don't forget. She made such a lasting impression on all those that came into her life and we see that with all those we meet in this book. She had a little bit of her father, her mother and even her second set of parents in America that really shaped who she was.
It is hard to believe that this is from a debut author. Spence-Ash did such a brilliant job in the tone and writing throughout the book. One thing you will notice when you page through the books is the chapters are really short - which I am personally such a fan of! It honestly help keep the pace going and you always had places to stop should you need to.
I paired this with the audio and thought Ell Potter did an excellent job at narrating. She brought all the characters to life & had such a delicate tone.
I highly recommend this!
This is your sign to give a genre you are scared to read a try.
Thank you so much to MacMillan for the complimentary audio of this!
I know it's only March but I have found one of my most unexpected reads of the year so far!
I am not a huge historical fiction reader but it is a genre I really wanted to try to embrace in 2023. Now in my head I was thinking more regency but hey baby steps.
This book will be published on March 21, 2023.
This book was told over the course of 37 years - with a bulk of it between 1940 to 1965.
Beatrix was sent to the United States during WWII while her parents stayed in the United Kingdom. She spent 5 years with the Gregory family, Nancy, Ethan, William and Gerald during an important time in growing up ages 11 to 16.
We then see Beatrix, William and Gerald grow up over the years and through their different point of views. Right before Bea is sent back home, her and William started a clandestine relationship. They never quite got over each other as we learn when they reunite in their 20s after tragedy strikes.
Over those 37 years we learn so much about the different main characters with there being 8 point of views through the pages. And honestly I did not feel overwhelmed or lost track of the characters. That is how well this was written.
I love how we saw the complex relationship between Bea and her mother Millie grow through challenges as Millie felt she was competing with Bea's relationship with Nancy.
Bea is one of those characters that you just don't forget. She made such a lasting impression on all those that came into her life and we see that with all those we meet in this book. She had a little bit of her father, her mother and even her second set of parents in America that really shaped who she was.
It is hard to believe that this is from a debut author. Spence-Ash did such a brilliant job in the tone and writing throughout the book. One thing you will notice when you page through the books is the chapters are really short - which I am personally such a fan of! It honestly help keep the pace going and you always had places to stop should you need to.
I paired this with the audio and thought Ell Potter did an excellent job at narrating. She brought all the characters to life & had such a delicate tone.
I highly recommend this!
This is your sign to give a genre you are scared to read a try.
This book was selected as the Thriller book club pick for March from Book Club Girl and I really enjoyed it! I had been sucked in pretty much from the start. There were technically 3 point of views though the 3rd was here and there thrown in - Jessa, an attorney, Gabby, wife of husband who suddenly dies and The Foundation. I definitely was gravitate more towards Gabby's story the most as there was just so much more layers to it. Like most thrillers, I had no clue which way this was going to go and I definitely was surprised by the end. I can't say too much but there was element at the end that I wish we got more clarity in. I do not like certain things are left unanswered and it's not something that I think could be left up to interpretation (to me at least).
I recommend this if you like culty vibes, vigilante themes and messy lawyers.
I recommend this if you like culty vibes, vigilante themes and messy lawyers.
This was recommending by a co worker of mine but I know I have seen it float around the book world for sometime but didn't really think much about it. I actually had thought it was more of a "classic" (which I guess depending on who you ask it is) but was surprised to find out that it was published in 1988.
I thought the audiobook was a nice listen as it was narrated by actor Jeremy Irons. Though I will say at times all I could hear was Scar from the Lion King (he was the voice of) and it made me chuckle.
Even though this story is very short, it packed the punch with memorable quotes.
Some of my favorite were:
"When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too."
"This is what we call love. When you are loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there's no need at all to understand what's happening, because everything happens within you."
"Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we're living right now."
I recommend this if you are looking for a quick listen (4 hrs) and something that is insightful and makes you continue to reach for those dreams and goals that are in your reach.
I thought the audiobook was a nice listen as it was narrated by actor Jeremy Irons. Though I will say at times all I could hear was Scar from the Lion King (he was the voice of) and it made me chuckle.
Even though this story is very short, it packed the punch with memorable quotes.
Some of my favorite were:
"When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too."
"This is what we call love. When you are loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there's no need at all to understand what's happening, because everything happens within you."
"Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we're living right now."
I recommend this if you are looking for a quick listen (4 hrs) and something that is insightful and makes you continue to reach for those dreams and goals that are in your reach.
Wow! I thought this book was absolutely fabulous and felt believable. If I was going through a bad breakup or in Maggie's case a divorce, I feel like I would want to read this book.
Also she had a fantasy that involved Harry Styles, how could I not like Maggie?! She has taste.
Some reviews called her cringey and insufferable but why do all characters have to be perfect? We as humans are not perfect and we make a lot of mistakes especially in the moment. It cannot all be sunshine and rainbows and if by the end she was a "changed" person I am not sure if that would have felt realistic. She is definitely a work in progress. I know I was not the best person after my breakups especially in my younger days so her antics with her ex were not all that surprising to me.
Throughout the book there were moments of google searches and different lists she came up with during her time of grief. The one list I really loved was towards the end of the book titled Journaling Exercise: Self Knowledge. It is all about the items that she wants.
Here is a sampling:
I want to be taken exactly the right amount of seriously.
I don't want to know so much about the lives of people I met one time in 2008.
I want my friends to know I care about them. I want to accept that they care about me.
I want another person to look at me with love.
I want to provide help where help is wanted.
I don't want to habitually look at the social media profiles of people who have hurt my feelings or who make me feel bad about myself or who I think I am better than.
I want to think about anything other than the shape of my stomach or if I'm a good person or who wants to fuck me or if anyone ever really love me for me.
I thought Queen narrator Julia Whelan did a wonderful job bringing Maggie to life. And how great is this cover?! I thought it conveyed Maggie and those in similar positions perfectly.
Also she had a fantasy that involved Harry Styles, how could I not like Maggie?! She has taste.
Some reviews called her cringey and insufferable but why do all characters have to be perfect? We as humans are not perfect and we make a lot of mistakes especially in the moment. It cannot all be sunshine and rainbows and if by the end she was a "changed" person I am not sure if that would have felt realistic. She is definitely a work in progress. I know I was not the best person after my breakups especially in my younger days so her antics with her ex were not all that surprising to me.
Throughout the book there were moments of google searches and different lists she came up with during her time of grief. The one list I really loved was towards the end of the book titled Journaling Exercise: Self Knowledge. It is all about the items that she wants.
Here is a sampling:
I want to be taken exactly the right amount of seriously.
I don't want to know so much about the lives of people I met one time in 2008.
I want my friends to know I care about them. I want to accept that they care about me.
I want another person to look at me with love.
I want to provide help where help is wanted.
I don't want to habitually look at the social media profiles of people who have hurt my feelings or who make me feel bad about myself or who I think I am better than.
I want to think about anything other than the shape of my stomach or if I'm a good person or who wants to fuck me or if anyone ever really love me for me.
I thought Queen narrator Julia Whelan did a wonderful job bringing Maggie to life. And how great is this cover?! I thought it conveyed Maggie and those in similar positions perfectly.