I Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman

Title: I Was Told It Would Get Easier

Author: Abbi Waxman

Publisher: Berkley 2020

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 346

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Challenge

Jessica and Emily Burnstein have very different ideas of how this college tour should go.

For Emily, it's a preview of freedom, exploring the possibility of her new and more exciting future. Not that she's sure she even wants to go to college, but let's ignore that for now. And maybe the other kids on the tour will like her more than the ones at school. . . . They have to, right?

For Jessica, it's a chance to bond with the daughter she seems to have lost. They used to be so close, but then Goldfish crackers and Play-Doh were no longer enough of a draw. She isn't even sure if Emily likes her anymore. To be honest, Jessica isn't sure she likes herself.

Together with a dozen strangers--and two familiar enemies--Jessica and Emily travel the East Coast, meeting up with family and old friends along the way. Surprises and secrets threaten their relationship and, in the end, change it forever.

A cute little story about a mother and daughter on an identity finding trip. Waxman has a breezy style of writing that sucks you into the story. The characters are definitely relatable and likable, even when they do something silly. I found so many interactions so familiar as a mother of teenagers. I don’t have a daughter, but many of the same things apply to sons. The storyline was propulsive. You just needed to see how this particular mother and daughter connected (or didn’t) through the trip. I liked the addition of the side characters. My favorites were Will and Casper. If you need a feel good story, pick this one up.

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Next up on the TBR pile:

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

Title: To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgerton #5)

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon 2017

Genre: Romance

Pages: 426

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance

She wrote him a letter...and he stole her heart.

Sir Phillip knew that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he’d proposed, figuring that she’d be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except . . . she wasn’t. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her . . . and more.

Did he think she was mad? Eloise Bridgerton couldn’t marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking . . . and wondering . . . and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except . . . he wasn’t. Her perfect husband wouldn’t be so moody and ill-mannered, and while Phillip was certainly handsome, he was a large brute of a man, rough and rugged, and totally unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand. But when he smiled . . . and when he kissed her . . . the rest of the world simply fell away, and she couldn’t help but wonder . . . could this imperfect man be perfect for her?

Another thoroughly enjoyable Regency romance! I had really enjoyed the glimpses of Eloise in the previous books so it was nice to read her story. Unlike the last book, we actually come to understand what each person sees in the other. I was invested in their romance. But the real star of the show was the twins Amanda and Oliver. I loved their interactions with Eloise so much! In addition to all that, we get appearances from Anthony, Benedict, Sophie, Colin, and Gregory. I don’t think this volume can top Anthony or Benedict’s stories, but I loved reading it.

Bridgerton

#1 The Duke and I
#2 The Viscount Who Loved Me
#3 An Offer from a Gentleman
#4 Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
#5 To Sir Philip, With Love
#6 When He was Wicked
#7 It’s in His Kiss
#8 On the Way to the Wedding
Happily Ever After (2nd Epilogues and Violet’s Story)

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

Title: A Vow So Bold and Deadly (Cursebreaker #3)

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Bloomsbury YA 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 415

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Currently Reading - Reflects the Season

Face your fears, fight the battle.
Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone--even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace.

Fight the battle, save the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and a magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

As the two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer's Cursebreaker series.

Argh! I absolutely adored the first book in the series and very much disliked the second one. I felt like all the characters completely lost all growth and their actions did not align with their motivations. Those same issues continue into the last book in the trilogy. I was so incredibly annoyed by Rhen and Grey and their constant ultimatums and black-and-white view on the situations. Harper and Lia Mara fare much better, but they still annoyed me so much. I just wanted everyone to take a breath and think about what they were doing and who they were doing it to. But no. They just keep barreling through making the same mistakes over and over again. Plus, I very much disliked the rushed feeling of the conclusion. I don’t need a drawn out resolution, but this one just felt like we don’t get anything to explain. So does Harper stay in Emberfall? Is Rhen going to be Grey’s advisor only? Where does he live? Are Lia Mara and Grey going back to Syhl Shallow or staying in Emberfall? Too many unresolved questions. Disappointing.

Cursebreaker Series

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman

Title: The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

Author: Lori Nelson Spielman

Publisher: Berkley 2020

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 378

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf Project; UnRead Shelf Reading Challenge - Recent Acquisition

Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claim it’s an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist it’s a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows she’ll meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all.

Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed—secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse.

I had such high hopes for this book and it just fell flat for me. Most of the book is set in modern times and full of what seemed to be a travelogue for Italy. That’s fine, but it didn’t really grab my attention. I really fell for the chapters detailing the romance between Poppy and Rico. I wanted a book just of them. Emilia and Lucy were complete wet blankets in comparison. I just couldn’t seem to get myself to root for either of them. So, I wasn’t super excited about the book and then we get to the revelations and secrets about Poppy and Rosa. And I wanted to throw the book across the room. I was so incredibly mad at Rosa and her entire attitude and actions throughout the story. And we don’t really get any real apology from her. For that matter, I was very disappointed that Emilia’s sister never truly apologies for her behavior toward Emilia. For a book that was touted as being full of family and forgiveness, I felt it was sorely lacking in the forgiveness part. Boring.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Sweetest Scoundrel (Maiden Lane #9)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2015

Genre: Romance

Pages: 368

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance; Unread Shelf

SHE'S TAKING CHARGE
Prim, proper, and thrifty, Eve Dinwoody is all business when it comes to protecting her brother's investment. But when she agrees to control the purse strings of London's premier pleasure garden, Harte's Folly, she finds herself butting heads with an infuriating scoundrel who can't be controlled.

HE'S RUNNING THE SHOW
Bawdy and bold, Asa Makepeace doesn't have time for a penny-pinching prude like Eve. As the garden's larger-than-life owner, he's already dealing with self-centered sopranos and temperamental tenors. He's not about to let an aristocratic woman boss him around . . . no matter how enticing she is.

BUT LOVE CONQUERS ALL
In spite of her lack of theatrical experience-and her fiery clashes with Asa-Eve is determined to turn Harte's Folly into a smashing success. But the harder she tries to manage the stubborn rake, the harder it is to ignore his seductive charm and raw magnetism. There's no denying the smoldering fire between them-and trying to put it out would be the greatest folly of all . . .

Another very enjoyable volume in the Maiden Lane series. We finally, finally get to see more of Asa Makepeace. What we saw was enjoyable but not to the level of my favorite male leads from the series. Beyond Asa, I was pretty lukewarm on Eve. She just didn’t have enough to her to make me really love her. I would have like to have seen more discussions between her and Asa, but alas, we get a lot of weird sexual encounters. I wasn’t really here for their steamy scenes. They didn’t feel all that steamy to me. I enjoyed the book, but this isn’t going into my Top 3 for the series. I was intrigued with the parts involving Bridget Crumb and the Duke of Montgomery’s house. I cannot wait to read their story next!

Maiden Lane

#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness
#6 Duke of Midnight
#7 Darling Beast
#8 Dearest Rogue
#9 Sweetest Scoundrel
#10 Duke of Sin
#10.5 Once Upon a Moonlit Night
#10.7 Once Upon a Christmas Eve
#11 Duke of Pleasure
#12 Duke of Desire
#12.5 Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Next up on the TBR pile:

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

Title: Know My Name

Author: Chanel Miller

Publisher: Penguin Books 2020

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 384

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

She was known to the world as Emily Doe when she stunned millions with a letter. Brock Turner had been sentenced to just six months in county jail after he was found sexually assaulting her on Stanford's campus. Her victim impact statement was posted on BuzzFeed, where it instantly went viral--viewed by eleven million people within four days, it was translated globally and read on the floor of Congress; it inspired changes in California law and the recall of the judge in the case. Thousands wrote to say that she had given them the courage to share their own experiences of assault for the first time.

Now she reclaims her identity to tell her story of trauma, transcendence, and the power of words. It was the perfect case, in many ways--there were eyewitnesses, Turner ran away, physical evidence was immediately secured. But her struggles with isolation and shame during the aftermath and the trial reveal the oppression victims face in even the best-case scenarios. Her story illuminates a culture biased to protect perpetrators, indicts a criminal justice system designed to fail the most vulnerable, and, ultimately, shines with the courage required to move through suffering and live a full and beautiful life.

This was such a difficult book to read, but it was so incredibly good. The chapters are a very detailed account of Miller’s experience. I ended up finishing the book but had to take a break after each chapter. I wasn’t quite that surprised by anything that happened her to her, but it still make me absolutely full of rage.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Dearest Rogue (Maiden Lane #8)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2015

Genre: Romance

Pages: 353

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance

HE CAN GUARD HER
Lady Phoebe Batten is pretty, vivacious, and yearning for a social life befitting the sister of a powerful duke. But because she is almost completely blind, her overprotective brother insists that she have an armed bodyguard by her side at all times-the very irritating Captain Trevillion.

FROM EVERY DANGER
Captain James Trevillion is proud, brooding, and cursed with a leg injury from his service in the King's dragoons. Yet he can still shoot and ride like the devil, so watching over the distracting Lady Phoebe should be no problem at all-until she's targeted by kidnappers.

BUT PASSION ITSELF
Caught in a deadly web of deceit, James must risk life and limb to save his charge from the lowest of cads-one who would force Lady Phoebe into a loveless marriage. But while they're confined to close quarters for her safekeeping, Phoebe begins to see the tender man beneath the soldier's hard exterior . . . and the possibility of a life-and love-she never imagined possible.

Captain Trevillion has been an intriguing figure for the entire series. I’m so glad he got his own book and romance. And I have liked Phoebe since she was introduced. I am less enamored with the two of them together. I would have liked a bit more talking and exploration of past events and wanted futures. At times, their relationship felt a bit too paternal on his part. They come together in the end. Plus, I really loved seeing James’s family and meeting Agnes in particular. The best part were the chapter featuring the Duke of Montgomery. I’m very intrigued by him. He reminds me of Lord Caire from the first book. Maybe his story will get a 5 star rating from me. For this book, I still really love the entire series and felt that this book was a very enjoyable volume (but Captain Trevillion can’t beat Lord Caire or the Duke or Wakefield or Winter Makepeace).

Maiden Lane

#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness
#6 Duke of Midnight
#7 Darling Beast
#8 Dearest Rogue
#9 Sweetest Scoundrel
#10 Duke of Sin
#10.5 Once Upon a Moonlit Night
#10.7 Once Upon a Christmas Eve
#11 Duke of Pleasure
#12 Duke of Desire
#12.5 Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Haunting of Tram Car 015 by P. Djeli Clark

Title: The Haunting of Tram Car 015 (Fatma el-Sha'arawi #2)

Author: P. Djeli Clark

Publisher: Tor.com 2019

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 116

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Cairo, 1912: The case started as a simple one for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities — handling a possessed tram car.

Soon, however, Agent Hamed Nasr and his new partner Agent Onsi Youssef are exposed to a new side of Cairo stirring with suffragettes, secret societies, and sentient automatons in a race against time to protect the city from an encroaching danger that crosses the line between the magical and the mundane.

I picked this up as a free ebook from Tor.com. I also remember seeing it on one of the various book blogs I follow and had added it to my TBR at some point. This is a delightful little adventure story featuring some Ministry Agents, a mysterious entity haunting a tram, and a variety of interesting side characters. We’re dropped right into the action, but I quickly caught onto the story and the world. It’s a great mix of supernatural and true history of Cairo. I sped through this short story, but loved every page of it. Such fun! And I piqued my interest in reading more from Clark.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Darling Beast (Maiden Lane #7)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2014

Genre: Romance

Pages: 352

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance; Unread Shelf

A MAN CONDEMNED . . .
Falsely accused of murder and mute from a near-fatal beating, Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne has escaped from Bedlam. With the Crown's soldiers at his heels, he finds refuge in the ruins of a pleasure garden, toiling as a simple gardener. But when a vivacious young woman moves in, he's quickly driven to distraction . . .

A DESPERATE WOMAN . . .
London's premier actress, Lily Stump, is down on her luck when she's forced to move into a scorched theatre with her maid and small son. But she and her tiny family aren't the only inhabitants-a silent, hulking beast of a man also calls the charred ruins home. Yet when she catches him reading her plays, Lily realizes there's more to this man than meets the eye.

OUT OF ASH, DESIRE FLARES
Though scorching passion draws them together, Apollo knows that Lily is keeping secrets. When his past catches up with him, he's forced to make a choice: his love for Lily . . . or the explosive truth that will set him free.

Another successful historical romance in the series. This isn’t my favorite in the series, but I still really really enjoyed this one. Apollo and Lily are great characters and I loved watching them fall for each other despite all the obstacles in their way. I still love that this series adds in a bit of external conflict. That bit of extra really adds to the layer. These books are much less whiny than other historical romances I’ve read. The steamy scenes in this one are definitely very steamy. Just how I like them. I sped read this one in less than two days, but I’m really excited to read the Captain and Phoebe’s book next.

Maiden Lane

#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness
#6 Duke of Midnight
#7 Darling Beast
#8 Dearest Rogue
#9 Sweetest Scoundrel
#10 Duke of Sin
#10.5 Once Upon a Moonlit Night
#10.7 Once Upon a Christmas Eve
#11 Duke of Pleasure
#12 Duke of Desire
#12.5 Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Title: The Silent Patient

Author: Alex Michaelides

Publisher: Celadon Books 2019

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 336

Rating: 1/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf Project; Unread Shelf Project Reading Challenge - February

Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.

Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations―a search for the truth that threatens to consume him....

Boring, boring, boring… and then I started to see all the plot holes and got really angry at the book. Even with the first chapter I was a bit bored with the story. I could see that we were getting an unreliable narrator and a mystery that probably wasn’t much of a mystery. All my fears for this book were confirmed about half way through. I got to the end of the book and wanted to just throw this book at the wall. I hated all the characters. I hated the plot. I hated how all the female characters were treated. I hated the giant black holes of plot inconsistencies. I can’t believe that this was one of the Book of the Month books of the year for 2019. Waste of my time.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

Title: Spoiler Alert

Author: Olivia Dade

Publisher: Avon 2020

Genre: Romance

Pages: 403

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Marcus Caster-Rupp has a secret. The world may know him as Aeneas, star of the biggest show on television, but fanfiction readers call him something else: Book!AeneasWouldNever. Marcus gets out his frustrations with the show through anonymous stories about the internet’s favorite couple, Aeneas and Lavinia. But if anyone discovered his online persona, he’d be finished in Hollywood.

April Whittier has secrets of her own. A hardcore Lavinia fan, she’s long hidden her fanfic and cosplay hobbies from her “real life”—but not anymore. When she dares to post her latest costume creation on Twitter, her plus-size take goes viral. And when Marcus asks her out to spite her internet critics, truth officially becomes stranger than fanfiction.

On their date, Marcus quickly realizes he wants more from April than a one-time publicity stunt. But when he discovers she’s Unapologetic Lavinia Stan, his closest fandom friend, he has one more huge secret to keep from her.

With love and Marcus’s career on the line, can the two of them stop hiding once and for all, or will a match made in fandom end up prematurely cancelled?

I had seen this one on a few lists, but hadn’t jumped at the book because of not great books I had picked up that managed to try to be body inclusive, but still managed to be fatphobic. Fortunately, a few good friends kept recommending this one and I finally picked it up. Definitely a keeper of a romantic comedy. April and Marcus are great characters and this is one realistic and adult romance. I’m so glad that we don’t fall into the whiny angst of some romances. We get two mature adults that are attempting to navigate real life. There was just enough conflict to keep the book moving and enough sexual tension and then steamy scenes to balance it all out. I really loved this one. I wanted to hug this one after closing the last page.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Title: Scythe (Arc of a Scythe #1)

Author: Neal Shusterman

Publisher: Simon & Schuster 2016

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Pages: 330

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Winter TBR

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

I finally picked this up and it was really really hard to put down at the end of the night to sleep. I was immediately right into the story and the world that Shusterman creates. I wanted to understand how a world got to the point that we join the story. I loved that eventually we got to learn more about the Thunderhead. Hope that continues throughout the other two books. As to the scythes themselves, Citra and Rowan are great lead characters. But really makes it are the side characters. Scythes Faraday, Curie, and yes, even Goddard are fascinating figures to follow. I’m glad the book doesn’t fall into the whiny teen romance trap, but focuses on the questions of the scythes and death. Definitely have to pick up the second book in the series soon.

Arc of a Scythe:

#1 Scythe
#2 Thunderhead
#3 The Toll

Next up on the TBR pile:

Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt

Title: Duke of Midnight (Maiden Lane #6)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt

Publisher: Grand Central 2013

Genre: Romance

Pages: 297

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance; Unread Shelf

WHEN A MASKED MAN . . .
Twenty years ago Maximus Batten witnessed the brutal murders of his parents. Now the autocratic Duke of Wakefield, he spends his days ruling Parliament. But by night, disguised as the Ghost of St. Giles, he prowls the grim alleys of St. Giles, ever on the hunt for the murderer. One night he finds a fiery woman who meets him toe-to-toe-and won't back down . . .

MEETS HIS MATCH . . .
Artemis Greaves toils as a lady's companion, but hiding beneath the plain brown serge of her dress is the heart of a huntress. When the Ghost of St. Giles rescues her from footpads, she recognizes a kindred spirit-and is intrigued. She's even more intrigued when she realizes who exactly the notorious Ghost is by day . . .

DESIRE IGNITES A DANGEROUS PASSION
Artemis makes a bold move: she demands that Maximus use his influence to free her imprisoned brother-or she will expose him as the Ghost. But blackmailing a powerful duke isn't without risks. Now that she has the tiger by the tail, can she withstand his ire-or the temptation of his embrace?

After the incredibly boring last read, I needed something that I could rely on to bring me back. Thank goodness I had the next Maiden Lane book just sitting on my nightstand. We finally get Maximus and Artemis’s romance in this volume. I’ve been waiting for these characters to be featured and we finally get there and it’s really really good! I love that these books mix the steamy romance with a bigger mystery or adventure. We solve the mystery of Maximus’s (and Hero’s and Phoebe’s) parents murder and we see Apollo Greaves being rescued from Bedlam. I loved both main characters. I loved watching them stick to their characters while learning to love each other and finding a place in society. Maximus always came off like a statue in the previous books and I’m glad we got to see inside in this one. Such a great volume! I’d say that this is my third (a very close third) favorite book in the series so far. I still love Temperance and Lazarus and Winter and Isabel just a bit more.

Maiden Lane

#1 Wicked Intentions
#2 Notorious Pleasures
#3 Scandalous Desires
#4 Thief of Shadows
#5 Lord of Darkness
#6 Duke of Midnight
#7 Darling Beast
#8 Dearest Rogue
#9 Sweetest Scoundrel
#10 Duke of Sin
#10.5 Once Upon a Moonlit Night
#10.7 Once Upon a Christmas Eve
#11 Duke of Pleasure
#12 Duke of Desire
#12.5 Once Upon a Maiden Lane

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Widow by Fiona Barton

Title: The Widow (Kate Waters #1)

Author: Fiona Barton

Publisher: Berkley 2016

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 331

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Currently Reading - Read with Buddy

There’s a lot Jean hasn’t said over the years about the crime her husband was suspected of committing. She was too busy being the perfect wife, standing by her man while living with the accusing glares and the anonymous harassment.

Now her husband is dead, and there’s no reason to stay quiet. There are people who want to hear her story. They want to know what it was like living with that man. She can tell them that there were secrets. There always are in a marriage.

The truth—that’s all anyone wants. But the one lesson Jean has learned in the last few years is that she can make people believe anything...

Boring. That’s my one work review for this book. It was billed as a thriller, but there’s nothing thrilling about it. We are told in the first few chapters what happened and then are strung along for the rest of the book until everything is revealed. I don’t love books that have multiple unrealistic twists, but this one felt so very boring without any surprise or twist. To be fair, there is a surprise revelation towards the end of the book, but I guessed it in the first chapters. Not a real surprise. And the characters were all limp dishrags. I didn’t really care about any of them. Plus, we say practically no character growth throughout. Boring boring boring.

Kate Waters

#1 The Widow
#2 The Child
#3 The Suspect

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

Title: The Once and Future Witches

Author: Alix E. Harrow

Publisher: Redhook 2020

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 529

Rating: /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Winter TBR; Currently Reading - Kept Me Turning Pages After Midnight

In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters―James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna―join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women's movement into the witch's movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote―and perhaps not even to live―the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There's no such thing as witches. But there will be.

I’ve been waiting on this one since i read The Ten Thousand Doors of January and it was definitely worth it. I immediately fell into the story of the Eastwood sisters. I loved that it wasn’t simply a story of bringing back witchcraft, but that we get a story of bringing three sisters back to each other. Agnes was my favorite sister, but all have some great moments. The first 60 pages are a bit slow, but once we really get into the story, I couldn’t wait to figure out the mysteries of the Lost Way of Avalon and Gideon Hill. Seriously, every time he appeared, I shuddered. So incredibly creep! And I loved his dog. Once the tower gets called back, the story kicks into high gear and I had trouble putting it down. Lots of fun.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Underland by Robert Macfarlane

Title: Underland: A Deep time Journey

Author: Robert Macfarlane

Publisher: W.W. Norton 2020

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 496

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Winter TBR

In Underland, Robert Macfarlane delivers an epic exploration of the Earth’s underworlds as they exist in myth, literature, memory, and the land itself. Traveling through the dizzying expanse of geologic time―from prehistoric art in Norwegian sea caves, to the blue depths of the Greenland ice cap, to a deep-sunk "hiding place" where nuclear waste will be stored for 100,000 years to come―Underland takes us on an extraordinary journey into our relationship with darkness, burial, and what lies beneath the surface of both place and mind.

I heard about this one on What Should I Read Next and decided I needed to read a book about travels under the ground. I haven’t read any other Robert Macfarlane books, but after reading this one, I think I need to add him to my incredibly long TBR. Macfarlane has this lyrical style that straddles the line between nonfiction and a novel. I loved it! Each chapter intertwines Macfarlane’s actual explorations all over the world, history and science about the Earth, and meditations on life. Like any collection, there were some chapters that I liked more than others, but taken all together, this is an amazing variety of explorations under the world. My absolute favorite chapter detailed Macfarlane’s explorations in the Parisian underground. I even got claustrophobic while reading some of the passages. It was intense! I’ve been raving about this one so much that I might have convinced J to read this soon.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lock In by John Scalzi

Title: Lock In (Lock In #1)

Author: John Scalzi

Publisher: Tor 2014

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 337

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Winter TBR

Not too long from today, a new, highly contagious virus makes its way across the globe. Most who get sick experience nothing worse than flu, fever and headaches. But for the unlucky one percent - and nearly five million souls in the United States alone - the disease causes "Lock In": Victims fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus. The disease affects young, old, rich, poor, people of every color and creed. The world changes to meet the challenge.

A quarter of a century later, in a world shaped by what's now known as "Haden's syndrome," rookie FBI agent Chris Shane is paired with veteran agent Leslie Vann. The two of them are assigned what appears to be a Haden-related murder at the Watergate Hotel, with a suspect who is an "integrator" - someone who can let the locked in borrow their bodies for a time. If the Integrator was carrying a Haden client, then naming the suspect for the murder becomes that much more complicated.

But "complicated" doesn't begin to describe it. As Shane and Vann began to unravel the threads of the murder, it becomes clear that the real mystery - and the real crime - is bigger than anyone could have imagined. The world of the locked in is changing, and with the change comes opportunities that the ambitious will seize at any cost. The investigation that began as a murder case takes Shane and Vann from the halls of corporate power to the virtual spaces of the locked in, and to the very heart of an emerging, surprising new human culture. It's nothing you could have expected.

This book had me remembering the fun detective parts of Asimov’s Robot books featuring Baley and Daneel. I loved the interplay of detectives attempting to unravel the mysterious murders. But then throw in a robot (of sorts) and lots of politics and you get one enjoyable novel. Right away, I was all in with Agents Shane and Vann and the intrigue around a murder (or was it?) in the nation’s capitol. From there, we get to learn more about our characters and the world after Haden’s. I’m very interested in reading the next book and furthering the adventures.

Lock In:

#1 Lock In
#2 Head On

Next up on the TBR pile:

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Title: Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgerton #4)

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon

Genre: Romance

Pages: 418

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance; UnRead Shelf

Everyone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London . . .

Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn't know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. When he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat— or his promise of a happy ending?

This one was a bit of a let down. I have absolutely loved Colin every time that he appears in the books so far. He’s such a delightful character! I wanted to absolutely love his story with Penelope. As for her, I did enjoy the glimpses that we got of Penelope in the previous books. I did want to know more about her. So I was excited that we finally got their story. It just wasn’t that exciting or romantic at all. Colin was a bit of a wet blanket and Penelope wasn’t that interesting. Their chemistry was practically non-existent. I just didn’t feel the sexual tension between these two characters like the previous books. Here’s hoping the next book is better.

Bridgerton

#1 The Duke and I
#2 The Viscount Who Loved Me
#3 An Offer from a Gentleman
#4 Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
#5 To Sir Philip, With Love
#6 When He was Wicked
#7 It’s in His Kiss
#8 On the Way to the Wedding
Happily Ever After (2nd Epilogues and Violet’s Story)

Next up on the TBR pile:

An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

Title: An Offer from a Gentleman (Bridgerton #3)

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon 2015

Genre: Romance

Pages: 390

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance; UnRead Shelf

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

Another lovely romance! I loved the set-up with this one. A Cinderella-esque story was just what I needed this week. It starts out so predictable, but them we really get to know Benedict and Sophie and things get more interesting. I loved their romance so very very much. I couldn’t wait to see how they would navigate the seemingly impossible connection. I loved that we get more interactions with the Bridgerton family, especially Violet. It was even nice to see what happened the Sophie’s stepsister Posy in the end. But most, I loved the romance getting to know Benedict so much more. (He might just be my favorite Bridgerton.)

Bridgerton

#1 The Duke and I
#2 The Viscount Who Loved Me
#3 An Offer from a Gentleman
#4 Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
#5 To Sir Philip, With Love
#6 When He was Wicked
#7 It’s in His Kiss
#8 On the Way to the Wedding
Happily Ever After (2nd Epilogues and Violet’s Story)

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton #2)

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon 2015

Genre: Romance

Pages: 398

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Romance

1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London's most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better... --Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1814

But this time the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry--he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield--the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate's the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands--and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate's determined to protect her sister--but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...

I really loved the first book in the series, but somehow I loved this one even more. Anthony and Kate are such amazing characters! We get two very strong-willed people attempting to do what’s right and failing to see the happily ever after right in front of their faces. These two were very frustrating but in such a good way. I was rooting for them the entire time. I love how we get to really see two adults find romance and understanding within the strict bounds of Regency society. I can’t wait to read about Benedict’s story!

Bridgerton

#1 The Duke and I
#2 The Viscount Who Loved Me
#3 An Offer from a Gentleman
#4 Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
#5 To Sir Philip, With Love
#6 When He was Wicked
#7 It’s in His Kiss
#8 On the Way to the Wedding
Happily Ever After (2nd Epilogues and Violet’s Story)

Next up on the TBR pile: