karenika

Review: I Know How This Ends

I Know How This Ends by Holly Smale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love love loved this book.

I loved Oona out of Order so I was curious to see if I would like another by the author and this book did not disappoint. I loved the way their story unfolded in little bits and pieces. I loved all the characters. I loved the humor. And most of all, I loved the heart this story has. It will make you feel warm and fuzzy. It will make you laugh out loud. And it will also be bittersweet. How much more can you ask from a book?

with gratitude to netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Unwritten Rules of Magic

The Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the time I spent with this book. If you’re looking for a magic-filled story, you’re going to be disappointed. If you’re looking for a story where the characters get a major do over you will also be disappointed. This is not that kind of book. This book is about carrying the burdens of growing up in a dysfunctional family and trying to control your life as a result through anxiety. It’s about the need for control and the desire that many of us carry to have things “work out” and how there’s no such thing about things working out. And how every outcome has unintended consequences and life is much more complicated than “black or white” decisions and outcomes.

I loved it.

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

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Review: The Change

The Change by Kirsten Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I know it is quite over the top and is trying to be multiple things at the same time and I usually don’t love random women’s empowerment novels but I really enjoyed reading this one and kept wanting to read more and more.

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Review: Little Ghosts

Little Ghosts by Gregg Dunnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fast-paced, interesting mystery book to read. Albeit terrible subject matter. And of course requires suspension of disbelief.

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Review: At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Always happy to have a little bit of magical realism. Makes me happy. Light lovely read.

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Review: The Strawberry Patch Pancake House

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

I am not going to rate this book because I DNF’ed it at almost 80%. I just couldn’t get myself to care.

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Review: The Summer That Changed Everything

The Summer That Changed Everything by Brenda Novak
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

light and lovely summer book even though a serious subject matter.

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Review: Hazel Says No

Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So far one of my favorite reads of 2025. Really fantastic character development, funny, thought-provoking and well written. All around enjoyable.

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Review: It’s a Love Story

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this author. The book is light, funny, sweet and makes me think of Katherine Center’s novels that I love.

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Review: Death of the Author

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

HEre’s what I am going to say: when I read this I liked it even though at times it was hard to get into. Now that it’s been almost a month, I really remember almost none of it :/

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Review: Kill Your Darlings

Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’m usually a huge fan of Peter Swanson. I loved all his books. But this was was just okay I think. I don’t know if it was the style or not. I will of course keep reading him no matter what.

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