Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
I've only read two other books by Quinn, but I can safely say she's one of my favorite historical fiction authors. The way I was captivated by this story was unreal. I'm not usually a fan of character-heavy stories, but I thought it was masterfully done here. I loved spending time with each character and learning their history and what led them to where they are in the present. Quinn did a great job endearing me to these ladies that even when I disliked a character, I still cared for them. The family they all formed tugged on my heartstrings. I also liked all the social commentary and appreciated how much time and research Quinn must've done to get the feel of this period just right. It was a time when neighbors were turning on neighbors, and you could feel the tension rising off the page. The only problem I had was the recipes in the middle of each chapter felt unnecessary and kept taking me out of the story. Other than that, I thought this was great.
I've seen this all over TikTok lately, so I wanted to check it out. It was cute, but it had no business being as long as it was. I'll admit that not checking the page count before starting was on me, but come on. No romance should be over 500 pages long; it's so unnecessary. So many scenes could've been cut and still told the same story. I did enjoy Olivia's characters and the small-town setting. I was worried that it being set during the '90s would make the plot feel corny, but it had just the right amount of references to feel nostalgic rather than dated. Michelle and Cliff were very much a black cat/golden retriever couple, and I loved it. My only complaint is that it desperately needed to be edited more, but other than that, it was a fun time.
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| Pub Date: 11-12-24 Adult - Contemporary |
Her Knight at the Museum- Bryn Donovan: Emily Porter hopes that throwing herself into work will help keep her mind off her recent divorce. Luckily for Emily, the best distraction has just come across her desk in the form of a handsome medieval English knight. As an art conservator, Emily has restored countless pieces throughout history, but none have affected her as much as this recently acquired statue. Emily is inexplicably drawn to the statue and is shocked to discover something more than stone. Cursed by a sorcerer he once called friend Sir Griffin de Beauford has spent the last few centuries stuck in limestone. He can see, think, and hear but cannot touch the world around him. Until a kiss from Emily brings him back to life. But between the strangeness of the modern world and Emily being the prime suspect in an investigation into the missing statue, is their love story doomed to fail before it begins?
Listen...I'm all for a silly, goofy time. I don't mind when books are a little out there with the camp factor or plot as long as the writing is good, but this was a big ol' mess. Emily starts lusting after a statue on page one! Like, girl, you've got to get out of the house more. I should've known that things were going downhill from there. Everything felt comically over the top, and my suspension of disbelief only stretched so far. The relationship between Emily and Griffin is so instantaneous, and I didn't care for it. It felt so surface-level. Donovan's writing felt clunky, and so many moments had me cringing. The only point in its favor was that it was such a fast read, but I never found myself invested.
Listen...I'm all for a silly, goofy time. I don't mind when books are a little out there with the camp factor or plot as long as the writing is good, but this was a big ol' mess. Emily starts lusting after a statue on page one! Like, girl, you've got to get out of the house more. I should've known that things were going downhill from there. Everything felt comically over the top, and my suspension of disbelief only stretched so far. The relationship between Emily and Griffin is so instantaneous, and I didn't care for it. It felt so surface-level. Donovan's writing felt clunky, and so many moments had me cringing. The only point in its favor was that it was such a fast read, but I never found myself invested.
Rating: 2/5
*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!
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| Pub Date: 7-9-24 Adult - Historical Fiction |
The Briar Club- Kate Quinn: Grace March has just arrived in Washington, D.C., and finds an attic apartment to rent at Briarwood House. The tenants of this all-female boarding house couldn't be more different and tend to keep to themselves, content with a simple 'Hello' while passing in the halls. But Grace breathes new life into the stuffy old house, and soon, the ladies start a weekly supper club. They chat and gossip, not realizing the familial bonds they're forming. Grace becomes a fixture in each woman's life, helping and supporting them, all while keeping a dangerous secret. When Grace's past finally catches up with her, violently tearing the house apart, the occupants must decide who the true enemy amongst them is.
I've only read two other books by Quinn, but I can safely say she's one of my favorite historical fiction authors. The way I was captivated by this story was unreal. I'm not usually a fan of character-heavy stories, but I thought it was masterfully done here. I loved spending time with each character and learning their history and what led them to where they are in the present. Quinn did a great job endearing me to these ladies that even when I disliked a character, I still cared for them. The family they all formed tugged on my heartstrings. I also liked all the social commentary and appreciated how much time and research Quinn must've done to get the feel of this period just right. It was a time when neighbors were turning on neighbors, and you could feel the tension rising off the page. The only problem I had was the recipes in the middle of each chapter felt unnecessary and kept taking me out of the story. Other than that, I thought this was great.
Rating: 4.5/5
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| Pub Date: 9-19-24 Adult - Contemporary |
If It Makes You Happy- Julie Olivia: After her marriage falls apart, Michelle is looking for a fresh start. So when her mother passes away, and her father can't keep up their B&B, Michelle finds herself heading to the small town of Copper Run, Vermont. Being an innkeeper isn't on Michelle's bingo card, but she only has to manage it for a few months until her younger sister finishes school. But hospitality doesn't come naturally to the stoic Michelle, a fact that her charming neighbor Cliff loves to point out. Cliff is everything Michelle isn't: he's funny and outgoing, and everyone in town loves him. Try as she might, Michelle can't help becoming attached to this ridiculous man and his sweet daughters as he tries to help her navigate her new surroundings. As the pair grow closer, neither can deny their feelings, but Copper Run is only supposed to be a stopover for Michelle. Is she willing to risk her life and career for a chance at true love?
I've seen this all over TikTok lately, so I wanted to check it out. It was cute, but it had no business being as long as it was. I'll admit that not checking the page count before starting was on me, but come on. No romance should be over 500 pages long; it's so unnecessary. So many scenes could've been cut and still told the same story. I did enjoy Olivia's characters and the small-town setting. I was worried that it being set during the '90s would make the plot feel corny, but it had just the right amount of references to feel nostalgic rather than dated. Michelle and Cliff were very much a black cat/golden retriever couple, and I loved it. My only complaint is that it desperately needed to be edited more, but other than that, it was a fun time.
Rating: 3/5
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