thelovelylibrarylady's Reviews (1.1k)


I’ve waxed poetic before about my love for Katherine Center’s books, and I truly believe she’s one of the best romance authors of all time. Her latest novel, The Love Haters, is yet another standout in her stellar catalog. As always, her characters are deeply realistic and instantly lovable; you can’t help but root for them to find their happily ever after. This story tugs at the heartstrings (I bawled during some of the final scenes, but they were happy tears!) and is the perfect book to lose yourself in when you need a heartfelt pick-me-up.
(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)
(I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

Emily Austin’s writing makes me feel like I’ve never had an original thought or feeling. Honestly, the number of ways I can relate to her protagonists is something that should be studied. Her characters are perfectly imperfect, and the stories Austin crafts for them are incredibly readable. She has quickly become an auto-read author for me, and I’m excited for her next title!
(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)
(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

To be completely honest, I gave The Perfect Rom-Com five-stars purely on vibes. This book is the cutest book I have ever read. The writing itself is just okay, and the grand finale is a little unrealistic, but the chemistry between Bryony and Jack is exceptional. Be prepared to giggle and kick your feet in the air while you read this adorable romance. 
(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)
(I received an audio recording of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

Guilt and Ginataan is the latest installment in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series. This cozy mystery series has been a fun read, and I’ve continued to enjoy returning to the familiar characters and the fictional town of Shady Palms. That said, this latest title felt like it lacked some of the charm and freshness of its predecessors. I’m not sure what Manansala has planned for the series going forward, but it might be time to consider bringing it to a close before it starts to lose its spark.
(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)
(I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

I was astonished when I learned that this title was Joyce’s romance debut. Noelle, the protagonist, is grieving the loss of her grandmother while navigating her feelings for Theo, her former high school rival. You, With a View is cute with a capital C and a must-read for romance fans!

As someone with little knowledge of Tudor history, I found Fatal Throne to be an excellent introduction to King Henry VIII and his wives. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version of this title, as it features a full cast, and the narrators are fantastic. My favorite perspective to read was Anne of Cleves'. Apart from that perspective, however, I found the quality of the writing to be just okay. I think I will eventually read Wolf Hall, another historical fiction novel set in this period, as it has received many positive reviews.

I went into this book without any prior knowledge and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was set in my home state of New Hampshire. I always enjoy reading stories set in familiar places, even when they’re fictional. The Reappearance of Rachel Price was well-written, which comes as no surprise given Black’s talent as an author. However, I found the plot unengaging. I’m unsure how this story made it to publication without addressing its major plot holes, which were jarring and made for a confusing reading experience.
(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)
(I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)