The whole time I thought I had all the twists figured out and so I was pleasantly surprised at how many I got wrong or didn‘t see coming!

Ok so is this totally cheesy and predictable? Yes. But did I love it anyway? Also, yes. Sometimes you just need that book to escape into and this was that for me.

3.25⭐️

#arc

Claire returns home to her small town after years away to help solve the murder of a teen girl in a way eerily similar to her sister‘s all those years ago. Using her skills gained during her time as a homicide detective in Detroit, Claire hopes she can close this case &move on. However, when another girl is killed &more suspicious activity arises, she realizes more sinister things have been happening for years on the island than most realize.
#arc

I read very little YA anymore & even less magical realism/speculative fiction, but the blurb for this book sounded intriguing & Desamours knocked it out of the park. I can‘t believe this is a debut.

This is pact with so much: friendship &family relationships, mystery & a teen‘s disappearance, racial inequality, mental health, chronic illness, and the unique gift Sariyah has to hear people‘s needs. Yet even so, it all fits & is balanced perfectly.

In a very dramatic novel with more than one character suffering some form of mental health issues, it‘s surprising this was written so long ago, as outside of the setting, parts of this could have been taking place in present day.

#CaPBuddyRead

Thank you for the tag @Sace

1. Texting w/ a friend I recently reconnected with
2. Face masks
3. Having time to read 🙂
4. Saw a great play about love and loss
5. The colder weather!

#5joysFridays

Thanks for hosting @DebinHawaii ! It‘s a great way to reflect on the good that happened during the week.

Cryptic letters, multiple bombings, & much more weave itself into this mystery of NOVA‘s first case: climate terrorism. There are a few good twists & some racing against the clock to solve the case before it‘s too late.

This book does take a bit to get into as the pacing is inconsistent & there are so many POVs (which change w/in the chapter, making it hard to track).

⭐️⭐️⭐️

#arc #sweeden

Originally written between 1939-1973 and translated from Danish, this collection of poems by famed author Tove Ditlevsen reminds me that though times and places may change, so much of what we feel and love stays the same. These poems could have been written last year and I would have believed it. Ditlevsen taps into the hopefulness of youth, the anguish of growing old(er), and the ruins of love in a way that hit close to home more than once.

#arc

I think how interesting you‘ll find this will depend on your previous knowledge about Pablo Escobar and/or how he was ultimately caught/taken down. There‘s a lot of details in here but if you‘ve read another Escobar book or seen a documentary (or even the TV Show Narcos), this won‘t be new information.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flowery prose & soulmates across time are at the heart of this. Arden &Evelyn are fated 2be together in every lifetime; however, they‘re also destined 2 kill each other in each one.

The past lives were interesting & varied, but the callback 2them in present time made it a little redundant to the past lives chapters.

I enjoyed the mystery of why they had 2die before their 18th bday & only wish the reason would have been a little more fleshed out.

Last book of 2024!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Even with less than 100 pages, Backman can infuse a story with depth and emotion.

Lawhon does a great job choosing badass women of history and bringing their stories to light. This story has it all: an independent, fierce woman who demands respect, a romance that shines, the tragedies of war, and heartbreak.

3.75⭐️

This one took me a bit to get into, but it did start to pick up mid way through. Alderton has a nice blend of introspection and humor in her writing that makes her characters feel real.

Soft pick. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#botm

This suffered from trying to be too much by throwing in all the tropes instead of focusing on a few & really fleshing them out (there‘s workplace romance, grumpy vs. sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, male MC has kids (nieces), toxic ex, toxic parents…). Most had limited page time & I forgot they were a part of the story after they popped up.

It was a little too sugary sweet for my taste, but if you enjoy those stories, then you‘ll like this one.

⭐️⭐️

I‘m not sure why I didn‘t DNF this. The main character, the plot, and the writing (so many similes) grated on my nerves throughout. I was curious about why the Swarm was created, but the answer left me unsatisfied.

⭐️

#arc

Cute and quirky with some moments of poignancy and ardency.

3.5⭐️

There‘s nothing I love more than to escape into a NA sports romance when I want to avoid the world. This fit the bill &delivered what I was hoping. Both Sage &Eli are athletes from different backgrounds but have more in common than what it 1st looks like. When they agree to fake date, what starts out as a mutually beneficial agreement turns into more (& w/their chemistry, they should have seen it coming). Equal parts humorous, heartfelt, &cute.

What a whimsical and curious collection. In this aptly titled book, Slate writes weirdly unique short stories that hold more depth than you'd think, even in the sillier ones. Part memoir, part essay, part comedic act, this book has a little of everything. I found myself thinking about some of them even after I put the book down.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a compelling look into a world famous chef, traveler, tv personality. I only watched a few episodes of the shows discussed and remember liking them, so getting the behind the scenes was interesting. However, while I appreciate everything Bourdain did to bring lesser known cuisine to viewers, I found him off-putting and at times a jerk. I also think the author could probably benefit from some therapy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read this a few years ago and felt it was time for a rereading. This book is magical.

This book is largely people arguing &bickering. Set in 2 timelines, Amy takes a job as a live-in nanny while hiding away parts of her past. Staying in her employers house, strange things keep occurring in the neighborhood & with the family that makes Amy wonder what‘s really going on.

Unfortunately, what sounds like an intriguing premise had some struggles executing & the ending was ridiculous & borderline silly to me (I may have rolled my eyes).

Thank you for tagging me, @Sace

1. That first sip of coffee in the morning, and recently a cup of tea at night!

2. My current read is non-fiction, but the woman it is about has so many, including determination and vision.

#two4tuesdays

@TheSpineView

There were some tidbits here and there that I found enlightening, but largely this was about the friendship of the two authors. I‘d recommend for fans of podcast and/or friendship shows more than someone looking for and in depth look at the psychology of friendship.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

#botm

Really loving this series. Eve is such a complex character and I just adore Roarke.

I probably should have brushed up on my Greek poems prior to reading this as my memory of Helen of Troy is scant. I loved the afterword and notes from the author as it really helped flesh out the story for me and see the connection between this retelling and the original stories of Helen.

Amazing. I highly recommend for fans of true crime & mental health. Dr Adshead is a forensic psychiatrist &works w/criminals. She introduces the idea of compassion & humanity, delving into the psychology & humanizing these patients that we often label as unredeemable.

It‘s a difficult read at times. I can‘t say I felt empathy or even sympathy for all of them; however, I learned a lot & gained a better understanding of those who commit crimes.

I dove into this book expecting depth and an intimate and searing look at Venezuela. Unfortunately, I found this hard to follow which took me out of the story as I attempted to figure out if we were in the present or past. But even with this, I still thought the prose were lyrical and the overall tone melancholic which definitely heightened the writing and my enjoyment.

2.5⭐️

#venezuela

*Actual story not in database*

I found Backman‘s latest short story to be a bit allegorical and while not laugh out loud comedy, I did find it humorous and honestly thought-provoking. I related to Lucas probably more than I should, and the other characters and storyline shone a light on a lot of how the world is.

#arc

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Vale is a middle grade fencer who‘s been in an accident. She grapples w/ not being the same as she was before, trying to reconcile who she is when for so long she was a nationally ranked fencer & now she may be disabled. Of course, coming to terms with her new life is complicated by first crushes &sometimes family dynamics but made easier w/new friendships. This story is infused w/emotions. There is such a depth & a rawness that I wasn‘t expecting

Enjoyable and a fun twist.

3.25⭐️

#botm

Finished one of the two challenges I did this year! I really enjoyed finding books that fit these prompts.

Thank you for hosting @TheAromaofBooks

#bookchain2024

Another week and another book where the first twist came early enough that it was easy to guess the second fairly quickly. While parts of this I enjoyed, other parts dragged a bit and I wouldn‘t have minded a shorter novel.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

#botm

Not me hiding my Kindle during the steamy parts &hiding my tears during the serious moments while on a plane (the laughter I figured I could get away w/). This book has it all.

I originally grabbed this for the cover. 2nd chance romances are hit &miss for me, but I like fake dating so was curious how much I‘d enjoy it. I loved it! The handling of both tropes was done so well &every character had rich &complex personalities along w/growth.

Didn‘t see the first twist. Guessed the second fairly quickly after that. Really enjoyed the first half but felt the second half wasn‘t as satisfying.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

#botm

I am officially hooked on Gillian McAllister‘s writing. As my second book by her, this kept me glued to the pages and trying (and failing) to guess all of the twists and figure out exactly what the truth was. I think the synopsis gives just enough to whet your appetite, but it is just a nibble of what the story fleshes out to be.

I love learning about all sorts of animals especially the unique or rarer ones. Rundell does a great job at introducing us to many creatures and giving an overview of their history and personalities. I only wish the book would have been longer to get more depth and information about each animal.

#arc

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I definitely recommend revisiting Shakespeare‘s Macbeth before reading this novella or at least have a good understanding of it. McDermid‘s retelling is short but does not lack substance. I love when we get a more fleshed out character (particularly the women) in a retelling of a classic. Added bonus here for the more historically accurate story as well.

#arc

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I loved Hopkins‘ Crank & hoped Sync would pack the same emotional punch. While definitely a tragic story, I felt the novel told in verse would have been better told in prose. The verses here were sometimes more like sparse paragraphs & unfortunately what seemed missing to me was the feeling behind the words.

Storm & Lake have been dealt a tough hand more difficulties find them. At times it gets bleak, but it ends on a note of hope which I liked.

Went through the emotions on this one. Such an important and eye-opening read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#arc

After Kagan &Hazel‘s mom dies under suspicious circumstances, they‘re surprised 2learn they‘re not in the will. They begin 2suspect their mom‘s 2nd husband, & a game of cat &mouse begins. There‘s plenty of twists.
While I enjoyed having a book full of unlikeable characters (H&K are spoiled &ungrateful more concerned about free money than their mom), I found it difficult 2believe that K&H were around 40. Both personalities made them seem early 20s.

I feel bad I didn‘t like this more. Well-written, but maybe too many POVs? Also, I didn‘t get this epic love story that was supposedly between Joseph and Evelyn.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

#botm

Secret societies, mysterious deaths, relationship issues…there‘s a lot of suspense and unknown piled into this novel. I liked the depth in which race and privilege was examined and how it tied into the main story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

#arc

I love romances that occur later in life, such as after a divorce. It‘s refreshing &real. This is a slow burn romance w/plenty of chemistry. Sasha &Ethan are both divorced w/kids, making this enemies-to-lovers even more complicated yet intriguing.

I didn‘t like Kaitlin‘s POV. Her commentary about Sasha is stalkerish &obsessed. Sasha could have given us those details &still had Kaitlin play the role she needed to w/out getting into her head.

W/ mult POVs &mult timelines, this pulls out twists &turns to shock you &keep you turning the pages. There were times I felt it a little over the top, but that just ended up making me enjoy it more.

Jemma &Adam are an affluent married couple who look like they have it all from the outside, but inside their lives are broken &deteriorating &Chloe has a view to see it all. Both Jemma and Adam have secrets &they‘ll both do what they can to keep them.

I always enjoy a little mystery with my historical romance, although I didn‘t quite feel the chemistry between the two main characters.

2.5⭐️

#netgalley #arc

After seeing so many mixed reviews, I was hesitant to read The Husbands, but I ended up enjoying this a lot. I do wish we got to spend more time with some of the husbands, but I also thought that the frequency and reasons why Lauren changed them so often made sense. I found this both humorous and a little bit thought-provoking.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#botm

I should have known this was going to be a heavier novel by the synopsis, but I was still surprised by how much it hit me. The complexity of emotions Kate experiences throughout the book is so well written. I loved the depth and intention put into it. I consider this a novel about a woman who experiences a great loss and learns to become whole again. Really well done by the author (and the acknowledgements make it all the more poignant).

McMahon created a wonderful character in FBI agent Gardner Camden. It‘s clear he is neurodivergent w/ a high IQ & trouble w/ social situations. He‘s part of a team of misfits called PAR (Patterns & Rec) who get assigned a case to find the killer murdering serial killers.

The case has Camden &his crew crossing the US in order to find &stop a killer who taunts them w/clues &phone calls. Each side character is well-developed &plays an integral role.

I felt for a while that many of Collins‘ poems read almost like mini-vignettes and nowhere is it more exemplified than here in Water, Water.

My favorite poems were:
“When a Man Loves Something”
“Addressing the Heart”
“The Guardian”
“Display Case”
“Fire in the Movies”