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kezzlou85
The Christmas Magpie | Mark Edwards
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Pickpick

This was a short festive read that I got through so quickly. It was really good too. The plot was simple but clever and it wasn't until just before the end I figured out who might be behind it. The ending was well wtitten and left just a hint for a possible future story. I like a proper conclusion usually but this was well written enough to keep me interested in a follow up. The characters were interesting. #Netgalley 4*

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julesG
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Mehso-so

#ARC #MountARC #NetGalley

Compared to the first book in the Bristol Keats duology, this was a slow read. The main plot had so many points of view that it felt like it was moving at a snail's pace. In addition, the romance plot leaned very heavily into the miscommunication trope. In the final 20%, though, all the action happened.

⬇️

julesG The last two chapters and the epilogue OF THE ARC -the ending of the published book might be different- didn't make sense in regard to how the time went by in Elphame and the real world. It's mentioned several times throughout both books that a few weeks in Elphame can equal years in the real world, but suddenly both 'realms' run on the same time? 23h
45 likes1 comment
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BookmarkTavern
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Pickpick

When Hana visits the Sea Witch, hoping to find answers to the Storm threatening the kingdom of mermaids, she instigates a swap w/ a trapped Rapunzel that may save 2 kingdoms & avert a war.

I continue to be delighted by this series. The girls are unique & strong protagonists, the fairy tales are recognizable, but w/ a unique spin, fun world building. I would like to see more diversity, & I do not need every girl to get a little romance.🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

BookmarkTavern Release Date: November 11th, 2025 #ARC #NetGalley 1d
55 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
OutsmartYourShelf
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Pickpick

“Women's lives are shaped by sexism and expectations. Disabled people's lives are shaped by ableism and a complete lack of expectations. But what happens when you're subjected to both sets of rules?“

A memoir from journalist & advocate for people with disabilities, Lucy Webster, which examines how sexism & ableism are intertwined when it comes to disabled women. From dealing with education, finding work, & trying out dating, (continued)

OutsmartYourShelf the experiences of disabled women are often not thought of, let alone considered.

Webster brought up some aspects that I had never even considered such as the barriers disabled women face when attempting to access basic healthcare such as smear tests as many GP surgeries do not have hoists as standard. Or the military-grade planning it takes just to be able to have a night out with so few fully accessible transport options, & where pubs market
1d
OutsmartYourShelf themselves as accessible but fail to provide a ramp to negate the presence of a doorstep. Or where shops use accessible changing rooms to store old mannequins. All in all, it made me think that as a society we really pay lip service to disability access. There's so much more that could be done.

There are times when it feels more like you're reading an academic article than a memoir but given the author's job, it's no surprise.
1d
OutsmartYourShelf It's definitely worth a read if you want to understand just how deep ableism still runs in modern society. 4🌟

My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, DK RED, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8036252412
Read 4th - 6th Nov 2025

#ReadAway2025 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES
(edited) 1d
27 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
The Salvage | Anbara Salam
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Mehso-so

1962 & Marta Khoury is on Cairnroch, an island off eastern Scotland, desperate to save her career. Her marriage breakdown means her career is on a knife-edge as her estranged husband is also her boss & is looking for any reason to fire her. As a marine archaeologist, Marta has been hired by the descendants of Captain James Purdie to retrieve his remains & personal artefacts from a shipwreck.

OutsmartYourShelf Purdie was a Victorian explorer who helmed an expedition to the Arctic but he & his men never returned & the wreck has been brought to Cairnroch undisturbed.

The first dive goes well except for the feeling of being watched & a glimpse of an odd figure on the ship watching her. After James' remains are collected, his personal effects are suddenly stolen from the ship & a series of strange, haunting experiences start to occur including one of the
2d
OutsmartYourShelf worst snowstorms ever seen & Marta is trapped on the island with the insular, taciturn locals.

This started off well with a very eerie dive down to the wreck & I thought this was going to be a great horror read, but unfortunately, it became bogged down with relationship drama with a side of occasional ghostly undertones. I think the main issue for me is that I just didn't like the main character, Marta. Supremely selfish & stuck in her 'poor me'
2d
OutsmartYourShelf attitude, she was very unlikeable & I failed to see what the love interest saw in her. For me, file this one under 'missed potential'. 3⭐

My thanks to #NetGalley & publishers, John Murray Press/Baskerville, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7614774365
Read 2nd - 4th Nov 2025

#ReadAway2025 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES
2d
DieAReader 👋🏻 Time for a better book🤞🏻 2d
27 likes4 comments
review
sebrittainclark
Brigands & Breadknives | Travis Baldree
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Pickpick

4/5

Fern's life is in a rut, so she moves to Thune to relocate her bookshop next to her long-time friend, Viv. But when that fails to change how Fern feels, she ends up in the back of a legendary adventurer's wagon and ends up on a journey of her own.

I enjoyed the addition to the lore of this world, particularly the section about the penitents. The ending wasn't what I expected, but I hope that it can continue to be expand on.

#netgalley

41 likes1 stack add
review
JoyBlue
All Over the Map | Lanie Jacobs
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Pickpick

If you‘re in the mood for an emotional, impulsive teen rebellion road trip, try this. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#all-over-the-map [low pick]

Publication is expected November 4.

#NetGalley #TantorAudio #AllOverTheMap 📚💙

review
julesG
Arrow of Fortune | Jacquelyn Benson
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Pickpick

Ellie and Adam, together with Neil and Connie, are in India this time. With the help of Connie's extensive maternal family finding the Arrow of Fortune should be as easy as pie. Obviously it's not as easy, otherwise we'd have got a novella and not a full-sized novel.

This book is full of adventure, humour, romance, a pinch of spice, and a lot of heart.

#NetGalley #ARC #MountARC

#SeriesLove

Caroline2 Oh lovely cover. ❤️ 4d
Bookzombie I really enjoy this series and love the covers. 3d
julesG @Caroline2 the first two books have very fitting covers too: https://litsy.com/p/Y0YwN3d4WUg1 3d
51 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
kezzlou85
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Pickpick

Aww you can never go wrong with Phillipa Ashley at christmas. She always writes a good one. This was heartwarming and wonderful. The plot was simple with a few dramatic moments. The ending was perfect for the story especially between them and the Penhaglions. One thing I really liked was the communication. Any misunderstandings actually get talked about which is always refreshing. Its more of a soft read. #Netgalley 4*

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BoleyBooks
Queen Esther | John Irving
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26 likes1 stack add