stephsbooktalk's Reviews (915)

Thank you so much to Saga Press for the complimentary copy of this!

I was drawn to this book initially from the cover. It looks so haunting (no pun intended) and I love the simplicity of the black and white with the yellow. The premise of this book was so interesting!! I thought it was so unique and was curious how the author would execute it.

Talitha goes back to the neighborhood she thought she never would return after some persuading from a researcher. Turns out only 3 people are able to return back to this neighborhood that suddenly disappeared - Talitha and her former friends Brett and Grace. She goes back and sees all these ghosts (literal) but when she leaves, she thinks she is only gone an hour but in reality it was 3 months!

"She's gone."
"But why would she choose to stay behind."
"Doesn't everyone want to go home?"

The whole idea of going back to a ghost town and being able to interact and touch loved ones who are essentially stuck there is amazing. And how the ghosts just go about as if nothing is wrong. People have tried to study this block on the street but it looks like a lot until Talitha steps foot at the boundary and then she is teleported to 20 years back.

I read this book via my ears and I thought Jennifer Pickens did excellent as the narrator. But I do wish I was reading along with the book because of how seamless the transition when Talitha would go into this other world because I would forget that the ghosts can talk.

If you are looking for an original ghost story that isn't too creepy - I recommend this one!

Thank you so much to PRH Audio for the advance copy of this!

This book will be out on April 15th.

This is the last book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series and gahh Cam and Dusty were just the best!! Second chance romance has been creeping in to becoming one of my favorite tropes to read in romances and once again I'm reminded as to why I love it so much.

This book is told from dual timelines - the past & present. We got to see how Dusty and Cam came to be and then what led to their eventual breakup. In the present time, as soon as Cam was back in town, Dusty was a goner. We got to see them reconnect over the course of the book and Dusty's relationship with her daughter was just too sweet. I love how they had vulnerable conversations and Dusty just seems like such a good dude. They just have this chemistry that bursted through and the moment at the gala after he told off her parents - WHEWWW.

Some people could argue that they wish the book was longer but I always felt with any of the books in this series is that we are able to get a complete story in 300 some pages. This book is about 9 hours on audio and easily digestible in one day. I rather the author not add in extra fluff scenes or unnecessary drama between the leads just to fill the pages.

Connor Crais and Savannah Peachwood were the narrators and let me tell you, I don't know how I made it this long without ever hearing Connor's voice but holy moly! As soon as we got to Dusty's POV and he started talking, I was a goner. Savannah as usually did a great job as Cam!

If you haven't dived into this series, they are quick, fun, spicy and full of lovable characters who will just make you smile!

Update: I realized I have listen to one other book narrated by Connor Crais and I swooned over it then as well.

Mini Book Review: After accidentally reading the 2nd book first, I wanted to go back to see where it all began. I swear author Huda Fahmy is hysterical. I found myself giggling at her references and I think she was able to get the humor and overdramatics of what being a teenager is like. She has a way of making the graphic novel feel personal, educating and still humourous. Huda is a freshman in high school and is trying to figure out who she is. I know now looking back that you aren't going to know who you are at 14-15 years old. She is working her way through it but also having to deal with the Islamophobia from others including her teacher!  I really enjoyed it! 

Thank you SO much Atria for the advance copy of this!

This book will be out on May 6th.

I remember the nerves I had sending the request to potential review an advance copy of a Backman book so when the approval email came in I was ELATED. I have such a respect for all authors but there is just something about his writing that struck a nerve with me after reading the Beartown series. It just sat with me for a long time and after reading this book I can tell you this struck me to my core. Those that know me, know that my favorite movie is "Stand By Me" and I couldn't help but see parallels between the two (trust me its still VERY different).

His writing is just so phenomenal and he has this way of making serious scenes also have humor. He also has this way of crafting a group of characters SO well. And in this case he is doing a story within a story which I feel like could be hard to do and yet he made it seem so easy.

I want to try to describe this book without giving too much away. This book is told from two timelines - the present as well as the past. In the past we get to learn all about the 4 friends and their magical summer when they were fourteen - The artist, Ted, Joar and Ali. The hardship that all 4 have gone through in their home life but their friendship is what made them keep going every day. They just had such immense respect for one another even if they didn't always know how to show it. A phrase they often said to one another is "I love you and I trust you." Oh my heart.

In the present timeline, Louisa an 18 year old orphan learns about that summer from one of the key players and how that summer 25 years ago changed all their lives and how it plays an effect on Louisa currently. The present timeline was such a hoot. Louisa and the key player (sorry not giving up a name!) went on such an adventure across the country and their banter was hysterical. As much as they didn't want Louisa to be around, you knew that they were going to eventually be charmed by her. And their relationship just felt so natural. Two individuals who have each led such a life were able to bond over their love of this painting, grieve together and most of all learning how to trust one another.

This book has so many layers to it and moving parts. And you would think it would be hard to keep track of and I thought I would have a difficult time but it all comes together. The middle part was a little slow compare to the beginning and the last 30% but the way that Backman writes, he makes you want to keep going and will leave on you chapter cliffhangers. I do wish I had the physical copy in the beginning so I could flip back and forth easier than with my kindle. I am going to be seeing Fredrik speak next month about this book and I am so excited to hear about how this story came to be.

Reading a Backman book is an experience. And this is an experience that you want to share with others. It was just so beautiful!

If you are looking for a story about platonic friendship and the love that doesn't go away with childhood friends but also a book filled with so much hope, give this book a read!

Extra Insights:

When I first read Beartown, I was tabbing all these amazing quotes and let me tell you, I highlighted so many moments and quotes in this more so than I ever have with any other book. I don't even know where to begin with ones that hit the hardest because they all hit. But here is a small round up of some of my favorite out of context quotes.

"Grown men don't have enough things they're afraid of on this planet to become good at running."

"It has to be said that Louisa hates many things about herself but most of all her height and weight. She wished for many things throughout her childhood, but perhaps more than anything she wished to be smaller."

"People always say that you should live as if every day was your last, but when you have children you realize that you have to live as if every day was their first."

"This must have been the longest train trip of your life."

"It suits you, that laugh. I'm glad they didn't manage to take it from you."
"Who?"
"All the people who have tried."

Mini Book Review: Historical romance is very much like fantasy where I struggle majorly with comprehending stories. I tried really hard and I felt like I understood most of what was happening but I'm not sure if this one was for me. I was warned that this was slightly bonkers (in a fun way) and I guess I could see that more so because of the pet banshees and talking parrots. I did really like Charlotte and Matthew together and how supportive her brother was of the relationship. 

I recently met the author and she was so sweet and was happy that I went outside my comfort zone to read her book. Perhaps I will read the next one in the series as I really liked Charlotte's brother Alexander and want to see him find love. 

I paired my reading of the physical book with the audio and Katy Sobey was the narrator.  I thought she was fine as a narrator - no complaints. 

I read this book for book club and I'll be anxious to hear what the others think about it! 

I think if you are generally a fan of historical romances, you will probably enjoy this one!

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance & PRH Audio for the advance copy of this book!

This book will be out on April 22nd.

How does one begin to write a review for Emily Henry?

Does she automatically get 5 Stars? Not quite but she hasn't let me down yet
Do I think she is capable of writing a bad book? Mehhhh perhaps? - but it's not this one
Did this become my favorite EmeHen book? Sorry it can't beat Funny Story in my heart
Is it true this is like Evelyn Hugo? Absolutely but also different

What I loved about this one compared to other Emily books is that we did get two storylines going at the same time. And I couldn't tell ya which one I was becoming more invested in. When I was in the current timeline I was foaming at the mouth at the banter and the relationship between Alice and Hayden. But then we would switch to Margaret's story and I would be so enthralled into the backstory of an heiress.

Alice was probably her most playful character. There were multiple time I found myself laughing at her antics. She was just so confident and you just can't help but to smile at any of her interactions with the other characters we meet. Even her relationship with Hayden, he had no desire to be friendly but she just charmed his pants off (literally). Hayden was a little rough around the edges but we learn why he is the way he is and how his guards just fall down when it comes to Alice. He was just so smitten and she was equally as smitten. Also you will never hear me complain when we get a "there's a thunderstorm and we are stranded together" moment (okay maybe not quite stranded but when you read you'll know what I mean).

Several reader friends were not happy with this book because they felt like it was more women's fiction than romance. And I really wanted to say, is this your first Emily Henry book? All of her books always had *more* to the storyline than just the couple. And honestly we technically had two romance stories in the book. In addition to Alice and Hayden, we do get to read about how Margaret falls for her husband Cosmo.

Margaret was an interesting character! We do learn the reasoning why she is deciding to tell her story at this point in her life and I was happy that we got to hear the story especially after knowing the reason. If you do not know I love all things pop culture and Hollywood, so being put into this glamorous life of Margaret Ives was right up my alley. Through the interview with Alice, Margaret tells the story of her family's beginnings and how the Ives created their empire. I was very invested because a classic author move, they leave the chapters open ended and you have to keeping reading in order to get to the next interview chapter.

I read 75% of this book with my eyes but I had to listen to some of the audio just to hear Queen Julia Whelan's narration. Once again she does a great job and I loved her voice for Margaret! She brought Margaret's sassy, vulnerable but also bosslike tone come across. And just like she has done in all the other Emily books, Hayden's voice is still swoony!

I don't think I need to convince you to read Emily Henry but if you haven't already then what are you waiting for!!! A lot of people have said if you enjoyed Happy Place, this may be a new favorite. I don't want to compare it to others of hers but I think if you are looking for more than just a romance, this may be the one for you.

PS - I do not know where this will fall in the line up of her books. Perhaps I will start a new ranking starting with this release and then her next 4. We will see!

Some of my favorite quotes:
"Even if you're the one to build the monster, you're never going to be able to control it.
It'll gladly eat you alive and floss your bones, once its finished with everyone else."

"I'm not trying to shut you up, Alice. It's just that somehow, almost everything you say makes me want to kiss you."

"...Love isn't something you can cup in your hands, and I have to believe that mean its something that can't ever be lost."

"Your heart's broken without her Peggy, and mine can't be whole until yours is."

"I think you live in a world that's more interesting than the one most people live in and I wish I could live in it too."
"I'll take you sometime."
"I'd like that."

I could’ve sworn I read a TJ Alexander book before but I haven’t so this will be my first (& not my last)!

THIS BOOK IS SO DELIGHTFUL!! I was sucked into the storyline of Eli returning back to Florida after years of being in New York and running into his former best friend & HS boyfriend. But what makes their reunion different is that this is after Eli transitioned. This is the 2nd book recently where friends have reconnected and I just love it so much!!

Nick is such a sweetheart! He always loved Eli since they were young and seeing him now, it just brought back all those old feelings again. Eli was unsure how he felt only because he did not think Nick was anything other than straight. I absolutely loved Nick’s relationship with the mother of his child. They had some meaningful conversations and it just seemed so healthy especially for Zoey (daughter).

I did the audio for this one. I was not familiar with the narrators Aden Hakimi and Feodor Chin but thought they were distinct enough to tell the difference when it was their POV. Between TJ’s writing and their narration, the book went super quick and made it really enjoyable to listen!

I look forward to reading more from TJ especially A Gentlemen’s Gentlemen!

Mini Audiobook Review: Thank you so much to Avon for the complimentary copy of the book! 

I wanted to love this book and I did enjoy parts of it but it didn't grab me like other rom coms I have read. I did the audio of it and it just felt really long. I thought the banter between Grace and Eric was really good.  I like seeing Grace and Eric work together throughout the book. But I feel bad saying that the book was not memorable. Perhaps I will give the author another try. 

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary ALC!

This book is out now.

Once There Were Wolves was such a hit for me when I read it a few years ago. And just like with that one, this one started off a bit slow but then the last half really revved up and then it was over.

McConaghy has such a way with words and puts you right in the setting. This book is told from the point of views of those that are on the island - Dominic, Rafa, Fen and Orly as well as Rowan - the random body washes to shore. I have been reading a lot of books (by pure chance) where people are isolated in their environment. The island they are living is off the coast of Antarctica and the only people who visit are researchers.

I was fascinated by the life that this family led on this island. The children especially was so isolated for so long. I would love to have seen what life was like for them when they left the island. They experienced a lot while on the island and saw & done things that they were too young to witness.

There was one part about 80% in where I GASPED. I was not expecting the reveal at all. It changed the whole last bit of the book and as I mentioned bam it was over.

"Shearwater is a place of ghosts, after all, and it has found mine and delivered him back to me."

I had planned to do a tandem read but I started via audio and just kept with it. I was very happy to hear that we did get four narrators for each characters - Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West. The two most distinct of the four were the male voices. I believe it was Steve West who did the voice of Dominic; it was deep and rough sounding and weathered for all that he went through on the island. I am also assuming that Cooper Mortlock provided the voice for young Orly. He brought such youthness, full of wonder in his delivery.

I do like that McConaghy doesn't stretch it but I felt like I just need a bit more of the ending. I wanted to know more of what would happen in the after.

I recommend this if you are looking for atmospheric, slow burn suspense set on an island!

*I do not rate Non Fiction books.*

Thank you so much to @PRHAudio for the complimentary ALC!

I feel like I’m one of the last people to have read this book and I’m SO happy that I did. This book was so beautifully done. I understand that the author has not expressed that eir trans (please correct me if I am wrong) but there are themes within the book that I felt was important to showcase during this readathon.

I do not understand why this book is banned. This book could help so many tweens and teens who are questioning their identity and to connect with Maia’s story.

Between the words Maia writes the drawings were gorgeous! So much detail within the pages. I love the relationship that Maia had with eir parents especially eir sibling Phoebe. They were all so supportive of Maia and there for em when em had questions or just needed to talk things out.

I think this may have been the first time seeing the pronouns e/em/eir. I love that moment in the book - “I just got the biggest tingle down my spine.”

The audiobook was recently redone to have a full cast. This was mostly why I chose to read in tandem. Maia was a great narrator and it would only make sense that eir provided narration.

Maia’s story is just one of so many people in the world.

PS - Don’t think I didn’t love the numerous One Direction mentions!