Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
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| Pub Date: 6-3-25 Adult - Contemporary |
Battle of the Bookstores- Ali Brady: Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson adore books and manage bookstores beside each other. Josie's bookstore caters to serious literature, while Ryan's sells romance only. You would think the pair would bond over their love of words, but they've been bitter rivals since their first meeting. After learning that the new owner plans to combine the two store, leaving room for only one manager, Josie and Ryan set out to outsell the other. Type-A Josie is constantly butting heads with the more easygoing Ryan, and the only comfort either has is venting their frustrations to their anonymous friend they met in an online book forum. Little do they know, they've been talking to each other. As the rivalry heats up in person, so does their online chemistry. But when their secret friendship comes to the surface, will it be a HEA or a DNF?
I love books about books but throw in a You've Got Mail-ish scenario and I'm sold. I've never read anything by this duo before, and it was a fun time. It took me some time to warm up to Josie, but I adored Ryan from the start. I liked how different they were, not only in their reading tastes but their personalities and how they viewed things. Josie was more closed off and came across as cold because she had all these insecurities she felt she had to hide from others. Ryan was charming and thoughtful. He was patient with Josie, and I liked watching their relationship develop. I also enjoyed watching them work together to better both of their stores. The bookish elements of the story worked well. Other moments felt like they tried too hard to be cutesy, but I still liked it and would recommend it if you're in the mood for a summer read.
I love books about books but throw in a You've Got Mail-ish scenario and I'm sold. I've never read anything by this duo before, and it was a fun time. It took me some time to warm up to Josie, but I adored Ryan from the start. I liked how different they were, not only in their reading tastes but their personalities and how they viewed things. Josie was more closed off and came across as cold because she had all these insecurities she felt she had to hide from others. Ryan was charming and thoughtful. He was patient with Josie, and I liked watching their relationship develop. I also enjoyed watching them work together to better both of their stores. The bookish elements of the story worked well. Other moments felt like they tried too hard to be cutesy, but I still liked it and would recommend it if you're in the mood for a summer read.
Rating: 3/5
*Big thanks to the publisher for the copy!
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| Pub Date: 10-29-24 YA - Fantasy |
For She Is Wrath- Emily Varga: Dania has been imprisoned for three hundred and sixty-four days for a crime she didn't commit. Framed for murder by Mazin, the boy she loved, Dania has counted the days until she can escape and enact her revenge. When Dania crosses paths with a fellow inmate named Noor, she discovers the girl possesses a stolen djinn treasure that is the key to her plans. Once they're free, Dania uses dark magic to change her appearance and sets her sights on those who betrayed her and her family. But Dania realizes seeking revenge isn't as easy as she thought it'd be as she's caught in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with Mazin. Despite what lies between them, Dania can't deny the attraction that still burns hot, but is determined to see her plans through. As Dania falls deeper into the thrall of djinn magic, she realizes the price for her vengeance may be one she's unwilling to pay.
This is a reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, and while I'm familiar with the original work (thanks, Wishbone), I've never read it so I was hesitant to pick this up. I thought there would be things or little nuances I would miss. That wasn't the case. Varga crafted a story that pays homage to the original work but is completely its own. I was hooked from the first page. Dania was such a great main character. She was one of those morally gray characters you can't help but root for. I loved her friendship with Noor, and the friends-to enemies-to lovers dynamic with Mazin. The world-building and magic systems were also so vivid and perfectly executed. I felt enmeshed in this story with all the action, betrayals, and danger. I can't wait to read more from this author and highly recommend checking this out if you're looking for a fast-paced fantasy standalone.
This is a reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, and while I'm familiar with the original work (thanks, Wishbone), I've never read it so I was hesitant to pick this up. I thought there would be things or little nuances I would miss. That wasn't the case. Varga crafted a story that pays homage to the original work but is completely its own. I was hooked from the first page. Dania was such a great main character. She was one of those morally gray characters you can't help but root for. I loved her friendship with Noor, and the friends-to enemies-to lovers dynamic with Mazin. The world-building and magic systems were also so vivid and perfectly executed. I felt enmeshed in this story with all the action, betrayals, and danger. I can't wait to read more from this author and highly recommend checking this out if you're looking for a fast-paced fantasy standalone.
Rating: 4/5
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| Pub Date: 4-1-25 Adult - Historical Romance |
The Duke and Lady Scandal- Christy Carlyle: Alexandra Prince has always felt overshadowed by her siblings. While they're off having adventures, Alexandra tends to the family business, dreaming of one day channeling the female pirates she admires. When Alexandra overhears a plot to steal the crown jewels, she knows this is her chance. Benedict Drake is an inspector at Scotland Yard and takes his job very seriously, so when a vivacious woman blows into his office about a ridiculous scheme, he brushes her off. Benedict thought that was the last time he'd see Alexandra, but their paths kept crossing, and when the theft Alexandra overheard turned out to be real, Benedict begrudgingly accepted her help. As the investigation heats up so does their chemistry, leaving Benedict to decide if he's willing to put his career at risk for love.
I've only read one other book by Carlyle before, but I've come to enjoy her writing. It's so easy to breeze through and I read this in one sitting. I liked our two main characters a lot. Alexandra was feisty and strong-willed, and Benedict was very focused and stoic. Their personalities were so different, but they balanced one another out perfectly. Their relationship was very insta-lovey, but that's usually the case with historical romances, so it doesn't bother me as much. I thought the plot was action-packed, and I liked watching Alexandra and Benedict team up to nab the bad guys. There wasn't a lot of depth to the story, but it was a fun time, and I was thoroughly entertained. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
I've only read one other book by Carlyle before, but I've come to enjoy her writing. It's so easy to breeze through and I read this in one sitting. I liked our two main characters a lot. Alexandra was feisty and strong-willed, and Benedict was very focused and stoic. Their personalities were so different, but they balanced one another out perfectly. Their relationship was very insta-lovey, but that's usually the case with historical romances, so it doesn't bother me as much. I thought the plot was action-packed, and I liked watching Alexandra and Benedict team up to nab the bad guys. There wasn't a lot of depth to the story, but it was a fun time, and I was thoroughly entertained. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
Rating: 3/5
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