Wow I truly truly had no idea what I was getting into with this book. Don’t let the cover fool you, this one is intense. It has some funny moments, in fact it has a lot of funny dialogue. But it’s also some version of Lord of the Flies with the rich and the less rich vs the children.
And like Lord of the Flies, it has some moments that really make you question humanity. It goes in unpredictable directions even when you think you understand what’s going on. I had lots of issues with it but I have to admit that I read the whole thing in one sitting and I could not put it down, so that alone means it’s a four-star read for me.
It gets bonus points for being a crazy, wild ride.
with gratitude to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
I’m a fan of McQuinston’s writing and characters and this book is no exception. The story of Theo and Kit is filled with electricity and bold sexuality even if they are picking the carnal over the emotional. They are hoping that if they stay on the surface, they don’t have to revisit the hurt. But of course life doesn’t work like that. The only way out is always through.
If wine and baked goods is your thing and spicy scenes are also your thing, you will love this book. Even though I was rooting for both of them the whole time, it seems I slightly prefer my novels from the inside out vs the outside in so this wasn’t my super favorite of the McQuinston’s novels. But I will continue to read every single thing this author writes!
with gratitude to St. Martin’s Press and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
I have been taking a little break from painting but I have been thinking about it a lot. I’ve always wanted to be able to do more sketching, urban sketching specifically, but I am not good at it so I get disillusioned and give up. I decided I will start slow, give myself some grace and we’ll see how I do.
This was creepy and disturbing and also eminently readable. A girl comes back from being missing. She seems to be holding something back and is acting weird. And man oh man it only gets crazier from there. A lot of trigger warnings with this one so be careful. It got so disturbing at some point I just wanted to put it down.
I really enjoyed this generational book. It says so much about family, immigration, parenthood. It has some unexpected twists too. I liked the first and last story the most.
There’s something special about Skye’s writing that makes all her books magical for me. The descriptions are so visual and so whimsical in all the ways that make me feel like the book comes alive when I read it.
This beautiful story between Mattias and Claire is no exception. I loved every description of his paintings. I loved seeing Spain through Skye’s eyes. I loved how all of my senses come alive when I read her stories. And how they stay with me. The peacock in the park, the delicious food, the angry sibling. I can visualize and imagine every one of them.
I love the premise of this story. How do you get your love who doesn’t remember you to fall back in love with you so he can wake up from his coma? How do you make it so he can find his way back to you? These characters will all stay with you long, long after you finish the last page.
with gratitude to netgalley and Del Rey for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
This will absolutely be one of my favorite reads of this year, hands down.
I loved Rowell’s Eleanor & Park years ago but I hadn’t read another novel by her in a long time. I wasn’t sure if this would read like YA even though it’s not. I was worried I might not like it.
But I was wrong.
I fell in love from the moment I started this story. Shiloh and Cary have known each other forever. They were best friends. And then they fell out of touch. And suddenly they see each other at a wedding. And they find their way back to each other.
Shiloh and Cary broke my heart and then put it back together. The emotion is so palpable and so beautiful in this story that it was impossible not to root for these two broken souls. It’s impossible not to fall in love with them.
Rowell knows how to write love. She does an exquisite job here. I won’t forget this story for a long long time.
with gratitude to netgalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
Three sisters come back home to the bed and breakfast they own with their families so be there for the reading of their dad’s will. The lawyer is there, the maid who works at the inn, the stowaway they are hiding and the cook and keeper who decide to leave for the weekend.
There’s a death. there’s a storm. there’s no internet. No one is leaving. Another death. Ominous messages.
A locked-door mystery that comes with twists. Even though I guessed some of them, I still enjoyed this nonstop action packed story.
with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
I’ve read and loved Hur’s translations so I was truly looking forward to this book. but alas it was either the wrong book at the wrong time or the wrong audience because I could not ever get into the story.
I loved parts of the writing and much of the dialogue. I was intrigued at the idea of this story but the execution just didn’t make it for me. I kept getting pulled out of the story, not able to follow the narrative and the combination of plot and musings and character just never came together for me.
I will still make sure to read Hur’s next book because he’s such an excellent writer.
with gratitude to netgalley and HarperVia for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review