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stephsbooktalk's Reviews (915)
It just wasn’t for me. Wasn’t jiving with the writing and getting confused with the characters
Thank you so much to William Morrow & Harper Collins for the complimentary copy of the book!
This book is out now!
I was a little nervous about reading this one as I saw not so hot reviews of it but honestly I really enjoyed myself! I will admit I did have to rewind some of the audio as work was taking up too much of my time and I was confused on what was happening. But that only had happened once and then I was back on track.
I like that the author made the FMC Elle a successful writer and that she wasn't someone trying to become popular. I also was happy that we didn't have to go through the whole book with Elle pretending she was living in this fancy apartment in NYC and that she was upfront with Parker on the reason why she was staying there. I was though curious how long we would have to wait until the night they originally met was brought up between the two neighbors. And it was probably one of my favorite moments when the revelation came up.
I know a lot of other readers did not like the behavior/attitude of Elle towards Parker especially later on in the book. Parker was so head over heels for Elle and would literally do anything he could to keep her around. She wasn't phased by his money and after their initial meeting two years prior that was least interest her. They both needed each other and thought working together for the summer would benefit them. Elle felt inspired after they met previously and hasn't been able to get past her writer's block and thinks being around him would help her. Parker thought having a girlfriend would give him good press. And of course of the process of fake dating, real feelings begin to develop. Parker was all in and Elle was a little more reserved about it. They had different lives and didn't think it could work.
Money is a very touchy subject for Elle. We learn the reasons why and how it has affected her into her adult life. She is very independent and wants to able to make it without having to rely on anyone. And then you have Parker who has earned all the money he has but always wants to help and spoil those in his life. That is where a lot of the conflict between Elle and Parker come into play. I do feel as if she could have been a little bit more forgiven towards him.
I read this one via audiobook and the narration was done by Diane Guerrero. This was my first book by Diane and it appears that she may be a newbie when it comes to narration. I thought she did a fine job as Elle. I had no issues with listening to the book and the confusion I mention earlier was purely on my part and not on the narration or the way the book was written.
This book also felt like a love letter to New York City. It made me want to go back up there to explore the city. I recommend this book if you are looking for a devoted billionaire boyfriend set across NYC.
This book is out now!
I was a little nervous about reading this one as I saw not so hot reviews of it but honestly I really enjoyed myself! I will admit I did have to rewind some of the audio as work was taking up too much of my time and I was confused on what was happening. But that only had happened once and then I was back on track.
I like that the author made the FMC Elle a successful writer and that she wasn't someone trying to become popular. I also was happy that we didn't have to go through the whole book with Elle pretending she was living in this fancy apartment in NYC and that she was upfront with Parker on the reason why she was staying there. I was though curious how long we would have to wait until the night they originally met was brought up between the two neighbors. And it was probably one of my favorite moments when the revelation came up.
I know a lot of other readers did not like the behavior/attitude of Elle towards Parker especially later on in the book. Parker was so head over heels for Elle and would literally do anything he could to keep her around. She wasn't phased by his money and after their initial meeting two years prior that was least interest her. They both needed each other and thought working together for the summer would benefit them. Elle felt inspired after they met previously and hasn't been able to get past her writer's block and thinks being around him would help her. Parker thought having a girlfriend would give him good press. And of course of the process of fake dating, real feelings begin to develop. Parker was all in and Elle was a little more reserved about it. They had different lives and didn't think it could work.
Money is a very touchy subject for Elle. We learn the reasons why and how it has affected her into her adult life. She is very independent and wants to able to make it without having to rely on anyone. And then you have Parker who has earned all the money he has but always wants to help and spoil those in his life. That is where a lot of the conflict between Elle and Parker come into play. I do feel as if she could have been a little bit more forgiven towards him.
I read this one via audiobook and the narration was done by Diane Guerrero. This was my first book by Diane and it appears that she may be a newbie when it comes to narration. I thought she did a fine job as Elle. I had no issues with listening to the book and the confusion I mention earlier was purely on my part and not on the narration or the way the book was written.
This book also felt like a love letter to New York City. It made me want to go back up there to explore the city. I recommend this book if you are looking for a devoted billionaire boyfriend set across NYC.
Thank you so much to Webtoon/Wattpad for the gifted copy of this book!
This book is out now!
I read the first volume of this a few months back and really enjoyed it! And the story continues in this volume. The relationship between Morgana and Oz develops a little more in this one. He has so much trust in Morgana and finds her endearing. I was proud of him for standing up to his vampire family when it came to her. Morgana is still trying to trust her instincts and work on her magic more. I'm looking forward to seeing how the relationship between Morgana and Oz continues to grow.
I thought this one was a bit more exciting and perhaps because I already knew the characters, I found myself more invested in the story compared to the first. I really wanted to know more about the relationship between Oz and Victor (which I'm hoping we will learn more about in future volumes). I did love the throwback to little Morgana and her meeting Rory/Roland for the first time. And I am glad that they both remembered each other.
The book left on a cliffhanger and now I need to know what is going to happen next!
The graphics of this one is STUNNING. The first volume was beautiful but this one was even more incredible page by page.
This book is out now!
I read the first volume of this a few months back and really enjoyed it! And the story continues in this volume. The relationship between Morgana and Oz develops a little more in this one. He has so much trust in Morgana and finds her endearing. I was proud of him for standing up to his vampire family when it came to her. Morgana is still trying to trust her instincts and work on her magic more. I'm looking forward to seeing how the relationship between Morgana and Oz continues to grow.
I thought this one was a bit more exciting and perhaps because I already knew the characters, I found myself more invested in the story compared to the first. I really wanted to know more about the relationship between Oz and Victor (which I'm hoping we will learn more about in future volumes). I did love the throwback to little Morgana and her meeting Rory/Roland for the first time. And I am glad that they both remembered each other.
The book left on a cliffhanger and now I need to know what is going to happen next!
The graphics of this one is STUNNING. The first volume was beautiful but this one was even more incredible page by page.
3.5 - Thank you so much to S&S Audio & Libro.Fm for the ALC of this!
Thank you so much to Simon Element for the free copy of the book!
This book is out now!
One of my favorite tropes in books is when a story is told over a short period of time. In this case it was over 1 day. I absolutely love that aspect of it. I love the beginning of this book where a woman is going about her day shopping for a crib for the upcoming arrival of her baby Bean when an earthquake suddenly happens.
My favorite parts were all the parts in the present and as someone who has never fully experienced a natural disaster. I like how we got to see the normalcy of the before, the during and then the aftermath of the destruction it left behind.
What confused me was the parts that was in the past. The format was a little hard to follow via the audiobook. I did have the physical book next to me to reference but until I got used to the switch, it was confusing. And it wasn't until I was speaking to a reader friend and they pointed things out that I think I was missing in the confusion. I do feel like I need to go back to get those emotional connections that I missed. As any major event in someone's life especially one where its a life or death situation occurs, you reflect back on moments in your life that perhaps at the time didn't seem so significant but turned out to be more impactful.
The narrator Ariel Blake kept me engaged while listening and I thought she was able to bring across the rawness of the whole ordeal happening to Annie. The book via audio was a quick listen, clocking in just under 7 hours (physical book is under 250 pages).
I think if you enjoy a book on reflection during chaos - give this one a read!
Thank you so much to Simon Element for the free copy of the book!
This book is out now!
One of my favorite tropes in books is when a story is told over a short period of time. In this case it was over 1 day. I absolutely love that aspect of it. I love the beginning of this book where a woman is going about her day shopping for a crib for the upcoming arrival of her baby Bean when an earthquake suddenly happens.
My favorite parts were all the parts in the present and as someone who has never fully experienced a natural disaster. I like how we got to see the normalcy of the before, the during and then the aftermath of the destruction it left behind.
What confused me was the parts that was in the past. The format was a little hard to follow via the audiobook. I did have the physical book next to me to reference but until I got used to the switch, it was confusing. And it wasn't until I was speaking to a reader friend and they pointed things out that I think I was missing in the confusion. I do feel like I need to go back to get those emotional connections that I missed. As any major event in someone's life especially one where its a life or death situation occurs, you reflect back on moments in your life that perhaps at the time didn't seem so significant but turned out to be more impactful.
The narrator Ariel Blake kept me engaged while listening and I thought she was able to bring across the rawness of the whole ordeal happening to Annie. The book via audio was a quick listen, clocking in just under 7 hours (physical book is under 250 pages).
I think if you enjoy a book on reflection during chaos - give this one a read!
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for the complimentary copy of this ebook & free copy of the book!
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for the complimentary ALC!
I will always have a soft spot for Jasmine Guillory as she was the first romance reader I have read and really got me back into reading. I was super excited to be given an advance copy of this one especially knowing she was trying something new with a sapphic romance.
The writing itself was typical Jasmine - fun and flirty! There was banter and of course spice. I loved that she showed the complicated relationship between friends and also making friends as an adult (though it was not done intentionally).
Taylor offered to help Avery flirt through a series of lessons as she was new to dating women. What I would have loved to have seen is Taylor actually going on dates with other women. I think this would have helped fueled jealous in Taylor to make her want to pursue Avery on a relationship level and Avery to realize that Taylor is who she likes. Since Avery was new with dating women, I think this would have been good for her to do and to get comfortable with going out on dates and putting the flirting into practice.
As much as I love the cover, I wish we got to see them more dancing! They only went to one class and I think that could have been a way for them to get close if they went to weekly classes together. Or perhaps that could've been how they met.
"Yeah, you don't know if she was serious, but isn't it better to go and maybe do something fun, rather than stay home out of fear? This is low stakes, it's a gardening class. If it's weird or whatever, you just leave! And I get it, rejection sucks and is scary. But the only thing to make it less scary is to face it over and over."
I really like the quote above as I have learned in my thirties that if I want to do something, I need to just do it even if I'm going to be alone, I cannot let fear dictate that because I could be missing out on something fun and worthwhile. I thought that was so smart of Taylor to give that push to Avery. She made this connection with Beth while attempting to pick her up (she did learn she was in a relationship) and Beth was gracious enough to invite her to this gardening club. Avery went and ended up loving it! And not only that she became pretty good friends with Beth.
I did about 60% of this book in tandem with the ebook and then switched to full audio for the last 40%. Since this book was told from 3rd person, there was only one narrator despite having dual point of views. I thought Heidi Franklin did a pretty good job balancing both perspectives but I wish we did have a 2nd narrator to do the other point of view.
I think my biggest issue of this book was that it felt and was long. I am not sure what could have been taken out but it just seemed like it was going on for a long time and I kept losing interest and not wanting to go back to it.
Overall I did enjoy it and wanted to keep reading to see how they end up together. Looking forward to seeing what Jasmine does next!
Thank you so much to PRH Audio for the complimentary ALC!
I will always have a soft spot for Jasmine Guillory as she was the first romance reader I have read and really got me back into reading. I was super excited to be given an advance copy of this one especially knowing she was trying something new with a sapphic romance.
The writing itself was typical Jasmine - fun and flirty! There was banter and of course spice. I loved that she showed the complicated relationship between friends and also making friends as an adult (though it was not done intentionally).
Taylor offered to help Avery flirt through a series of lessons as she was new to dating women. What I would have loved to have seen is Taylor actually going on dates with other women. I think this would have helped fueled jealous in Taylor to make her want to pursue Avery on a relationship level and Avery to realize that Taylor is who she likes. Since Avery was new with dating women, I think this would have been good for her to do and to get comfortable with going out on dates and putting the flirting into practice.
As much as I love the cover, I wish we got to see them more dancing! They only went to one class and I think that could have been a way for them to get close if they went to weekly classes together. Or perhaps that could've been how they met.
"Yeah, you don't know if she was serious, but isn't it better to go and maybe do something fun, rather than stay home out of fear? This is low stakes, it's a gardening class. If it's weird or whatever, you just leave! And I get it, rejection sucks and is scary. But the only thing to make it less scary is to face it over and over."
I really like the quote above as I have learned in my thirties that if I want to do something, I need to just do it even if I'm going to be alone, I cannot let fear dictate that because I could be missing out on something fun and worthwhile. I thought that was so smart of Taylor to give that push to Avery. She made this connection with Beth while attempting to pick her up (she did learn she was in a relationship) and Beth was gracious enough to invite her to this gardening club. Avery went and ended up loving it! And not only that she became pretty good friends with Beth.
I did about 60% of this book in tandem with the ebook and then switched to full audio for the last 40%. Since this book was told from 3rd person, there was only one narrator despite having dual point of views. I thought Heidi Franklin did a pretty good job balancing both perspectives but I wish we did have a 2nd narrator to do the other point of view.
I think my biggest issue of this book was that it felt and was long. I am not sure what could have been taken out but it just seemed like it was going on for a long time and I kept losing interest and not wanting to go back to it.
Overall I did enjoy it and wanted to keep reading to see how they end up together. Looking forward to seeing what Jasmine does next!
Thank you so much to Forever for an advance copy of this!
This book will be coming out on May 20th.
Did I just read one of my top books of the year? YOU BET I DID!
This book was all the rage in my romance chat so when Forever had it available as a Read Now on Netgalley, I snatched it up. And BOY AM I HAPPY I DID! I was reading something on the heavier and I felt like I need a romance and this was the perfect book for that.
This book had everything I love in a romance - takes place in 1 location ✅, workplace romance ✅, enemies to lovers ✅, forced proximity ✅ and ONE BED ✅. Now this does have a trope that is one of my least favorite - slow burn. BUT GUESS WHAT THE BURN WAS BURNINGGGG AND I LOVED IT!
This was pretty much my face every time I read:
"There's nothing unmissable about you. That's all I meant. That there isn't anywhere you could go where everyone wouldn't notice you."
The tension between the two simmered the whole time. Trishara our fearless main character was so smart and underappreciated but when the opportunity came to go to Hawaii for a 3 week trip work retreat, she took the offer. What she hadn't expected was to be sharing a honeymoon suite with the owner's son and her enemy Rafe.
As I mentioned, the tension between the two was so good! There was so much fire between the two and I will say it was Trishara driven mostly. She had good reasons to have this chip on her shoulder when it came to him. He was the son of the owner and the nepotism was strong between him and Rafe's cousin Rory. But after sharing the suite, they started to bond over the days. And then NISHA HAD TO MAKE TRISHARA AFRAID OF THUNDERSTORMS AND A BIG STORM CAME ROLLING IN. That was a turning point between Trishara and Rafe. I WAS EATING IT UP.
The romance and the relationship with Rafe was a big part of the book. But there also was just as much focus on being a female in a male dominated world. And Trishara was in awe meeting one of her idols Diane Hart who is one of the heads of the company and also a notable best selling author about climbing the corporate ladder. There was an incident at the end that made ME SO MAD but I know happens more often than not and I was so proud of Trishara.
I'm at the point now in my review where I could really start rambling my love for the book. When I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the book. I had been reading this one while reading another and I just kept gravitating towards this one especially as the book went on. The book just had me giggling and punching my fist in the air.
"I'll follow you anywhere, Tris."
I cannot wait for the audio to come out because I could see myself putting myself back into this world. Plus I saw that Soneela Nankani is doing the narration and I have loved all the books that she has narrated! I know she'll be able to make Trishara come to life.
From what I had read, this is Nisha's first time writing a contemporary romance and she knocked it out of the park! I am not a fantasy/romantasy reader so I don't think I will be going to check out her other books but once she does another one of these, SIGN ME UP!
PS - I don't always pre-ordered books and just pick it up as I shop but this one I pre-ordered!
This book will be coming out on May 20th.
Did I just read one of my top books of the year? YOU BET I DID!
This book was all the rage in my romance chat so when Forever had it available as a Read Now on Netgalley, I snatched it up. And BOY AM I HAPPY I DID! I was reading something on the heavier and I felt like I need a romance and this was the perfect book for that.
This book had everything I love in a romance - takes place in 1 location ✅, workplace romance ✅, enemies to lovers ✅, forced proximity ✅ and ONE BED ✅. Now this does have a trope that is one of my least favorite - slow burn. BUT GUESS WHAT THE BURN WAS BURNINGGGG AND I LOVED IT!
This was pretty much my face every time I read:
"There's nothing unmissable about you. That's all I meant. That there isn't anywhere you could go where everyone wouldn't notice you."
The tension between the two simmered the whole time. Trishara our fearless main character was so smart and underappreciated but when the opportunity came to go to Hawaii for a 3 week trip work retreat, she took the offer. What she hadn't expected was to be sharing a honeymoon suite with the owner's son and her enemy Rafe.
As I mentioned, the tension between the two was so good! There was so much fire between the two and I will say it was Trishara driven mostly. She had good reasons to have this chip on her shoulder when it came to him. He was the son of the owner and the nepotism was strong between him and Rafe's cousin Rory. But after sharing the suite, they started to bond over the days. And then NISHA HAD TO MAKE TRISHARA AFRAID OF THUNDERSTORMS AND A BIG STORM CAME ROLLING IN. That was a turning point between Trishara and Rafe. I WAS EATING IT UP.
The romance and the relationship with Rafe was a big part of the book. But there also was just as much focus on being a female in a male dominated world. And Trishara was in awe meeting one of her idols Diane Hart who is one of the heads of the company and also a notable best selling author about climbing the corporate ladder. There was an incident at the end that made ME SO MAD but I know happens more often than not and I was so proud of Trishara.
I'm at the point now in my review where I could really start rambling my love for the book. When I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the book. I had been reading this one while reading another and I just kept gravitating towards this one especially as the book went on. The book just had me giggling and punching my fist in the air.
"I'll follow you anywhere, Tris."
I cannot wait for the audio to come out because I could see myself putting myself back into this world. Plus I saw that Soneela Nankani is doing the narration and I have loved all the books that she has narrated! I know she'll be able to make Trishara come to life.
From what I had read, this is Nisha's first time writing a contemporary romance and she knocked it out of the park! I am not a fantasy/romantasy reader so I don't think I will be going to check out her other books but once she does another one of these, SIGN ME UP!
PS - I don't always pre-ordered books and just pick it up as I shop but this one I pre-ordered!
Thank you so much to Creative Book Tour & Penguin Teen for the complimentary copy of this book!
This book is out now!
I love how Huda has this way taking serious topics and giving them their space but also weave in humor. Huda the character goes through a lot during her junior year. She is trying to figure herself out, she is coming up on senior year and then her parents drop this life changing news, And she starts to spiral. I love how Huda (author) made talking to a therapist was a causal thing between the adults and Huda's best friend Nabz. Huda had to overcome her own fears to start talking to someone to help navigate all these big feelings she is having. You could see the spiraling starting pretty early on and continues through most of the book. Just like what I know do when I am in this emotional mess, Huda goes through the motion of her every day life and doesn't necessarily deal with the issue. I also liked how we see the conflict between mother and daughter which felt so relatable! Even now when I have my struggles with my mom, I know at the end of the day she truly knows me and knows what is best for me and will do anything for me.
I think the whole part of them at Muslim Con was my favorite part of the whole book. It was their first big outing with just the females in the family. That took some adjusting for Huda as she wanted the trip to be for the whole family (which we got to see in the prior book of them in Disney). And then while she was there, Huda almost gave in to her rebellious ways and to go to a Singles Mixer and not tell her mom. Which that was very alarming for me that they would allow a teenager to go to a single mixer even with a chaperone! And I also feel this is where Huda had her light bulb moment of "I need to speak to someone" and had that emotional explosion where the feelings just all came to surface.
I really enjoyed this book and looking forward to see what happens in her senior year!!
This book is out now!
I love how Huda has this way taking serious topics and giving them their space but also weave in humor. Huda the character goes through a lot during her junior year. She is trying to figure herself out, she is coming up on senior year and then her parents drop this life changing news, And she starts to spiral. I love how Huda (author) made talking to a therapist was a causal thing between the adults and Huda's best friend Nabz. Huda had to overcome her own fears to start talking to someone to help navigate all these big feelings she is having. You could see the spiraling starting pretty early on and continues through most of the book. Just like what I know do when I am in this emotional mess, Huda goes through the motion of her every day life and doesn't necessarily deal with the issue. I also liked how we see the conflict between mother and daughter which felt so relatable! Even now when I have my struggles with my mom, I know at the end of the day she truly knows me and knows what is best for me and will do anything for me.
I think the whole part of them at Muslim Con was my favorite part of the whole book. It was their first big outing with just the females in the family. That took some adjusting for Huda as she wanted the trip to be for the whole family (which we got to see in the prior book of them in Disney). And then while she was there, Huda almost gave in to her rebellious ways and to go to a Singles Mixer and not tell her mom. Which that was very alarming for me that they would allow a teenager to go to a single mixer even with a chaperone! And I also feel this is where Huda had her light bulb moment of "I need to speak to someone" and had that emotional explosion where the feelings just all came to surface.
I really enjoyed this book and looking forward to see what happens in her senior year!!
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Thank you so much to Hambright PR for the complimentary ebook & ALC of this!!
This book is out now!
I first read a book from this series back in January and I didn't have to wait long to be back in the Sea Dog world. This time the focus is on captain hopeful Miles and coach's daughter Leighton. They had a brief but memorable meet cute at the local coffee shop that Miles grandmother Birdie, owns and may have played a role in getting the two together. Leighton is a photographer and does some photo shoots here and there for Birdie and volunteered her grandson to be a fill in model. Except that turned into a one night fling and promises of a future until they learned the Miles plays for the Sea Dogs and Leighton's dad is his coach.
The chemistry between these two was so good! Miles was such a great book boyfriend. He was attentive, caring, and really focused on Leighton's needs. Leighton has hearing aids and he was so sweet to her when it came to that. He does the sweetest gesture at the end of the book that I won't give away but swooooon! I love how they both resisted each other for a long time (over a year!) because they knew it would be complicated.
When they finally realized that they needed to be in each other lives, they rationalize it by saying its because they are friends. And it doesn't help that Leighton started to freelance for the team and they were working closely with together. Naturally the more time that they spent around each other, the more they fell. I just loved all the relationships in this book - the friendships Leighton made, Miles with his brother & teammates, Leighton and her father & sister, Miles with Birdie.
The narration was done by Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke whom I have listened to several books with their narration and have loved it! They both did such a great job with the narration on this one and really brought the playfulness out between the two. Plus how can you not love dual narration especially when the banter & flirting is just so good! Between their narration and Blakely's writing, it was such a fun listen!
This is an interconnected stand alone. You do not need to read the others to understand the characters and the storyline. I recommend if you love a forbidden romance, with heart and of course spice - give this a try!
This book is out now!
I first read a book from this series back in January and I didn't have to wait long to be back in the Sea Dog world. This time the focus is on captain hopeful Miles and coach's daughter Leighton. They had a brief but memorable meet cute at the local coffee shop that Miles grandmother Birdie, owns and may have played a role in getting the two together. Leighton is a photographer and does some photo shoots here and there for Birdie and volunteered her grandson to be a fill in model. Except that turned into a one night fling and promises of a future until they learned the Miles plays for the Sea Dogs and Leighton's dad is his coach.
The chemistry between these two was so good! Miles was such a great book boyfriend. He was attentive, caring, and really focused on Leighton's needs. Leighton has hearing aids and he was so sweet to her when it came to that. He does the sweetest gesture at the end of the book that I won't give away but swooooon! I love how they both resisted each other for a long time (over a year!) because they knew it would be complicated.
When they finally realized that they needed to be in each other lives, they rationalize it by saying its because they are friends. And it doesn't help that Leighton started to freelance for the team and they were working closely with together. Naturally the more time that they spent around each other, the more they fell. I just loved all the relationships in this book - the friendships Leighton made, Miles with his brother & teammates, Leighton and her father & sister, Miles with Birdie.
The narration was done by Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke whom I have listened to several books with their narration and have loved it! They both did such a great job with the narration on this one and really brought the playfulness out between the two. Plus how can you not love dual narration especially when the banter & flirting is just so good! Between their narration and Blakely's writing, it was such a fun listen!
This is an interconnected stand alone. You do not need to read the others to understand the characters and the storyline. I recommend if you love a forbidden romance, with heart and of course spice - give this a try!
3.5 - Thank you so much to Gallery books for the complimentary free book!
I used to be a mega Drag Race fan from the early days of watching on Logo so I was very much familiar with Bob the Drag Queen after watching him compete on his season. I think also watched him on the HBO show "We're Here" - highly recommend if you haven't watched. And of course I watched him on the latest season of Traitors. Plus I also think I might him prior to him being on Drag Race but not 100% certain.
<b>"There is so much pressure to be great when you think about what has been sacrificed so that I can be free in this country. All the people who literally gave their lives so that I can live 'loud and proud.' People sacrificing it all for me before I even existed. I guess that's why I'm so hard on myself."</b>
Anyhow, I was super excited to see that he wrote a book! This is my 3rd review that I'm writing tonight that is in the paranormal setting. In this book Harriet Tubman is alive and living in 2025. She is not a ghost nor are the folks she introduces us to are ghosts. We do not know how or why this happens but she wants to tell her story via music. That is where our MMC Darnell comes into play. He is asked to work with Harriet and her band to take her story of freedom and put it to music.
There were one liners that had me giggling. I also know that Bob does not believe in God and though that it was a nice touch to add Darnell's questioning of his faith play out in the book. The whole story was unique but also educational. You have to suspend belief while reading because in what world is Harriet Tubman alive and making appearance - in this one!
I paired my reading with the audio because I knew I had to listen to Bob narrate the story! And I'm glad I did because only he could do the humor that is spread throughout the pages and also we got songs at the end of the book!
The reason why I didn't rate this book higher is that I wanted more Harriet. I understand that Darnell is the MMC and knowing insights into his life was also important but I just wanted more of her.
I do wonder if this will be a series where Bob will take important black figures and put a spin on their history into this fictional story to share. If so, I would on board with reading about more!
I used to be a mega Drag Race fan from the early days of watching on Logo so I was very much familiar with Bob the Drag Queen after watching him compete on his season. I think also watched him on the HBO show "We're Here" - highly recommend if you haven't watched. And of course I watched him on the latest season of Traitors. Plus I also think I might him prior to him being on Drag Race but not 100% certain.
<b>"There is so much pressure to be great when you think about what has been sacrificed so that I can be free in this country. All the people who literally gave their lives so that I can live 'loud and proud.' People sacrificing it all for me before I even existed. I guess that's why I'm so hard on myself."</b>
Anyhow, I was super excited to see that he wrote a book! This is my 3rd review that I'm writing tonight that is in the paranormal setting. In this book Harriet Tubman is alive and living in 2025. She is not a ghost nor are the folks she introduces us to are ghosts. We do not know how or why this happens but she wants to tell her story via music. That is where our MMC Darnell comes into play. He is asked to work with Harriet and her band to take her story of freedom and put it to music.
There were one liners that had me giggling. I also know that Bob does not believe in God and though that it was a nice touch to add Darnell's questioning of his faith play out in the book. The whole story was unique but also educational. You have to suspend belief while reading because in what world is Harriet Tubman alive and making appearance - in this one!
I paired my reading with the audio because I knew I had to listen to Bob narrate the story! And I'm glad I did because only he could do the humor that is spread throughout the pages and also we got songs at the end of the book!
The reason why I didn't rate this book higher is that I wanted more Harriet. I understand that Darnell is the MMC and knowing insights into his life was also important but I just wanted more of her.
I do wonder if this will be a series where Bob will take important black figures and put a spin on their history into this fictional story to share. If so, I would on board with reading about more!
Thank you so much to Simon Teen for the complimentary copy of this book!
This book is out now!
I have been trying to expand the types of books I am reading this year including a few with paranormal elements. I do not read a whole lot of vampire books and let's be honest my own real comparison are to a certain vampire series that I read over 15 years ago now.
This whole storyline is so wild!! You have Howard this high schooler who is just trying to get through his days and he meets George while volunteering at a nursing home. But George isn't there to visit an aging relative, he is there to spend time with his long time partner during his final days. Howard is immediately drawn to George. I don't know if I would call it insta-love but it was insta connection between the two but George was technically still with his partner James. Even after James had passed (which sort of just kind of happened on page) it was like okay let's be together! I wish we got to see more of George through the grieving process and that there was more time between him and Howard starting their relationship. It just seemed so fast for someone who was so in love with their loved one.
I'm not sure if I missed it but did they even discuss what life is like for George as a vampire? Howard was all about becoming a vampire but it just didn't seem like there was no conversation leading up to it.
I primarily did the audio of this and Kevin R. Free pulled off both point of views. What I thought was brilliant of him was that his voice was different for Howard and George so that it made it easier to tell whose point of view we were in. I am glad I listened to the book because I really was into the story and to see truly how bonkers it could get.
Its very hard to decide how I feel about this book because on one hand it was not the best romance I've read but at the same time I was very into it and couldn't stop myself from enjoying?
If you are looking for a slightly campy MM vampire book - give this one a try!
This book is out now!
I have been trying to expand the types of books I am reading this year including a few with paranormal elements. I do not read a whole lot of vampire books and let's be honest my own real comparison are to a certain vampire series that I read over 15 years ago now.
This whole storyline is so wild!! You have Howard this high schooler who is just trying to get through his days and he meets George while volunteering at a nursing home. But George isn't there to visit an aging relative, he is there to spend time with his long time partner during his final days. Howard is immediately drawn to George. I don't know if I would call it insta-love but it was insta connection between the two but George was technically still with his partner James. Even after James had passed (which sort of just kind of happened on page) it was like okay let's be together! I wish we got to see more of George through the grieving process and that there was more time between him and Howard starting their relationship. It just seemed so fast for someone who was so in love with their loved one.
I'm not sure if I missed it but did they even discuss what life is like for George as a vampire? Howard was all about becoming a vampire but it just didn't seem like there was no conversation leading up to it.
I primarily did the audio of this and Kevin R. Free pulled off both point of views. What I thought was brilliant of him was that his voice was different for Howard and George so that it made it easier to tell whose point of view we were in. I am glad I listened to the book because I really was into the story and to see truly how bonkers it could get.
Its very hard to decide how I feel about this book because on one hand it was not the best romance I've read but at the same time I was very into it and couldn't stop myself from enjoying?
If you are looking for a slightly campy MM vampire book - give this one a try!