Review: I Feel Awful, Thanks

I Feel Awful, Thanks
I Feel Awful, Thanks by Lara Pickle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the beautiful art of this book. It’s really really beautifully drawn. I also really enjoyed the story and I liked how even if you have someone who loves you and really good friends, life can still feel like a lot. I loved the way therapy is conveyed in this book. I loved so much of this book. I did think things magically resolved themselves a little too conveniently but otherwise i enjoyed this beautiful story and the magical illustrations.

with gratitude to netgalley and Oni Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Review: The Trail of Lost Hearts

The Trail of Lost Hearts
The Trail of Lost Hearts by Tracey Garvis Graves
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a romance novel but it covers grief in a beautiful and profound way. There’s also a lot of fun geocaching in it. As someone who’s done geocaching before, I thought that adventure part was really fun. I liked both of the characters and I loved the slow burn of how they found their way to each other.

with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Review: One Moment

One Moment
One Moment by Becky Hunter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve been reading a bunch of romance lately and I loved that this book was first and foremost about a friendship. I also loved the portrayal of the chronic illness in all the small and big ways. I think the dramatic side gets covered often but not the small, daily difficulty of how it might feel to live with one.

If you’re looking for something light that will make you cry and laugh and something romantic but also a little different, this is the book for you.

with gratitude to netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Absolution

Absolution
Absolution by Alice McDermott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

McDermott is such a gem and I love reading her writing and spending time with her characters. This story was no exception. I loved learning more about how it was for women during Vietnam War (interesting to compare this with the Kristen Hannah book I just read too.) and I loved the themes around friendship, motherhood, family and service. Beautiful novel.

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Review: Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon

Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon
Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon by Michael Lewis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think Michael Lewis is a great storyteller. He knows how to make a story interesting, he knows exactly what details to include so you have depth and what to leave out because it’s complex and not relevant. Taking really complicated stories and making them so consumable is absolutely a talent. This book was no exception and very timely with the trial that just happened.

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Review: One Puzzling Afternoon

One Puzzling Afternoon
One Puzzling Afternoon by Emily Critchley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars.

This book was a tad too long but I loved the storytelling around deep friendships and trauma that you have to hold on to for all of your life. My heart broke into pieces as the story unraveled more and more but I loved reading it.

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Review: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

this was a surprise find for me. I loved the characters and the complex storyline that elegantly came together.

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Review: The Wake-Up Call

The Wake-Up Call
The Wake-Up Call by Beth O’Leary
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

O’Leary’s books are like a warm blanket when I need one.

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Review: Bright Young Women

Bright Young Women
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked reading this riveting story and at the same time I thought it was a tiny bit too long. But i loved the complexity of the characters. I loved the serious topic handled with the care and depth it almost never gets handled with in quick thrillers.

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Review: Baby X

Baby X
Baby X by Kira Peikoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book in one swallow. Even though I saw many of the twists coming, I really loved reading this futuristic story that gave “Gattaca” vibes. I loved the world building, I loved the story and I loved how it all came together. This book has all of what you might want from 5 different novels: scientific concepts in a near futuristic world, romance, thriller with an evil psychopath, mystery of identity and several major concepts like politics, information rights, identity, family, genetics and more. I really enjoyed the time I spent with it.

with gratitude to netgalley and The Quick Brown Fox & CO, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Darling Girls

Darling Girls
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m already a big fan of Sally Hepworth but I especially enjoyed this story about three adopted sisters who have to get back to their hometown as a result of a body that’s been found under the house they were raised. So many twists here and the ending was the best for me. Hepworth never disappoints.

with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Review: Four Weekends and a Funeral

Four Weekends and a Funeral
Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this sweet novel about a woman who’s stuck having to clean her ex’s apartment with his best friend when he unexpectedly dies before his family knows that they’ve broken up. You have to suspend disbelief for many of the things in this story but it’s also a sweet story to get swept up in and with all that’s going on in the world, i always appreciate books that feel like a cozy blanket and a warm hug.

with gratitude to netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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