Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
The Break-Up Pact- Emma Lord: June and Levi were thick as thieves when they were growing up, but due to some miscommunication, haven't spoken much in the last decade. Now June is struggling to keep her beachside teashop afloat, while Levi lives in New York working at a hedge fund while dreaming of writing the next great American novel. But when they both experience tragic break-ups that go viral, the pair are thrust back into each other's lives. With the Internet convinced that they're a couple, June and Levi plan to capitalize off their five minutes of fame by pretending to date. June's hoping the Internet's obsession with the "Revenge Exes," as they've been dubbed will help her failing business, and Levi hopes that the attention will cause his ex to realize what she's missing. But when the lines between what's real and what's pretending start to blur, June and Levi must confront the feelings they've kept hidden for so long.
I've only read one of Lord's previous YA books, and I thought it was cute, so I expected this to be much the same with a touch more spice since it's an adult romance. Good grief, I was so bored. Don't get me wrong-- there were adorable moments between June and Levi, but everything else? Snoozefest. The fake dating trope never usually lets me down, and combined with friends-to-lovers meant I thought I was in for a treat. So, I'm left scratching my head as to why I didn't enjoy this. I think it mostly boils down to the writing. It was decent but felt bland. Nothing was exciting about it. I think it would make a good summer read, but it's not one that I'll be thinking about again.
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| Pub Date: 8-13-24 Adult - Contemporary |
Haunted Ever After-Jen DeLuca: Cassie Rutherford is in a rut. All her friends are married and have kids, and Cassie feels left behind. So, one hasty decision later finds Cassie packing up her life in Orlando to move to a cottage in the small coastal town of Boneyard Key. At first, Cassie is charmed by how kitschy it is and how it leans into the ghost tourism that seems to keep it afloat. But then Cassie starts noticing weird happenings in her house, convincing her it's haunted. With the help of the handsomely grumpy coffee shop owner, Nick, Cassie dives into the history of her home and Boneyard Key, and soon, the pair can't ignore their growing feelings. Will they be able to make their relationship work, or will Cassie be too spooked to stay?
I enjoyed DeLuca's previous Ren Faire series, so I was excited to try something new from her. While I liked it, I didn't love it as much as I hoped. Much like the previous series, the setting was my favorite part. I adored this spooky small town full of ghosts. I would consider living in Florida if Boneyard Key was a real place. Something about it just felt so cozy. I liked Cassie and Nick, but at times they felt very one-note. Their relationship was very insta-lovey, which I don't tend to enjoy. It can work if done right, but I think it slightly missed the mark. It was still cute, but I wanted more. Despite a few complaints, I would still recommend it if you're looking for a book that gives off major if-Hallmark-made Halloween-movies vibes.
I enjoyed DeLuca's previous Ren Faire series, so I was excited to try something new from her. While I liked it, I didn't love it as much as I hoped. Much like the previous series, the setting was my favorite part. I adored this spooky small town full of ghosts. I would consider living in Florida if Boneyard Key was a real place. Something about it just felt so cozy. I liked Cassie and Nick, but at times they felt very one-note. Their relationship was very insta-lovey, which I don't tend to enjoy. It can work if done right, but I think it slightly missed the mark. It was still cute, but I wanted more. Despite a few complaints, I would still recommend it if you're looking for a book that gives off major if-Hallmark-made Halloween-movies vibes.
Rating: 3/5
*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!
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| Pub Date: 8-13-24 Adult - Contemporary |
The Break-Up Pact- Emma Lord: June and Levi were thick as thieves when they were growing up, but due to some miscommunication, haven't spoken much in the last decade. Now June is struggling to keep her beachside teashop afloat, while Levi lives in New York working at a hedge fund while dreaming of writing the next great American novel. But when they both experience tragic break-ups that go viral, the pair are thrust back into each other's lives. With the Internet convinced that they're a couple, June and Levi plan to capitalize off their five minutes of fame by pretending to date. June's hoping the Internet's obsession with the "Revenge Exes," as they've been dubbed will help her failing business, and Levi hopes that the attention will cause his ex to realize what she's missing. But when the lines between what's real and what's pretending start to blur, June and Levi must confront the feelings they've kept hidden for so long.
I've only read one of Lord's previous YA books, and I thought it was cute, so I expected this to be much the same with a touch more spice since it's an adult romance. Good grief, I was so bored. Don't get me wrong-- there were adorable moments between June and Levi, but everything else? Snoozefest. The fake dating trope never usually lets me down, and combined with friends-to-lovers meant I thought I was in for a treat. So, I'm left scratching my head as to why I didn't enjoy this. I think it mostly boils down to the writing. It was decent but felt bland. Nothing was exciting about it. I think it would make a good summer read, but it's not one that I'll be thinking about again.
Rating: 2/5
*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!
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| Pub Date: 1-23-24 Adult - Thriller |
No One Can Know- Kate Alice Marshall: Emma hasn't gone back to her family home in years. Not since her parents got murdered there and she became estranged from her two sisters. But with a baby on the way, her husband, Nathan, losing his job, and the down payment on their house falling through, Emma doesn't have another option. Emma has never told Nathan the extent of what happened to her parents or that she was the main suspect in the crime. Emma knew returning would dredge up bad memories, but when her sisters pop back up, new secrets start coming to the surface. Now, Emma is questioning everything she knows and is left desperately trying to keep things from falling apart.
I've only read two books by Marshall, but I've found both mediocre. Something about her writing style doesn't work for me. I didn't connect, or even really like, any of the characters. The plot felt messy, with too many moving parts, and I found it difficult to stay invested. I thought the pacing of the first half was too slow, but then it moved at breakneck speed for the second half. It made the story feel disjointed. The twist also didn't hit as hard as I would've liked. I can see the appeal of it, but I think I need to come to terms with this author not being for me.
I've only read two books by Marshall, but I've found both mediocre. Something about her writing style doesn't work for me. I didn't connect, or even really like, any of the characters. The plot felt messy, with too many moving parts, and I found it difficult to stay invested. I thought the pacing of the first half was too slow, but then it moved at breakneck speed for the second half. It made the story feel disjointed. The twist also didn't hit as hard as I would've liked. I can see the appeal of it, but I think I need to come to terms with this author not being for me.
Rating: 2/5
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