Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Kaylamburson

Kaylamburson

Joined May 2016

Reader, Writer, Thinker, Creator. Senior Sales Manager in publishing.
review
Kaylamburson
post image
Mehso-so

This was a cute and cozy read for fall. It‘s a bit slow, and I also didn‘t connect with the romance. It felt forced and unnecessary for the storyline since I thought the relationship with the three young witches and Mika was much more engaging. It picked up the last few chapters, and it was a sweet story overall.

review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

An entertaining audiobook with great narrators. It‘s a simplistic/mundane writing style, but I didn‘t notice it in the audiobook format.

The characters are not smart and get themselves into all sorts of trouble. But I was engaged and needed to know the truth. I didn‘t love that the ending happened so quickly. When we do find the truth, there are questions remaining since we skip to six months later. But it‘s a fun fall read for back to school.

review
Kaylamburson
Carrie Soto Is Back | Taylor Jenkins Reid
post image
Pickpick

I have loved every TJR book & I‘ve read them all! I can‘t really describe why I enjoyed this book. Truthfully, Carrie is an unlikeable character, and I wouldn‘t have been rooting for her if it wasn‘t for her dad. Javier is a gem! The audiobook is stellar w/ multiple narrators. However, it‘s mostly a walk-through of multiple tennis matches. But TJR just has some sort of magic in her writing that just works even when it‘s simple.

marleed I agree. I‘ve read her canon and I‘m just on pre-order now! 2mo
Kaylamburson Yes!! Anything new is an auto-buy! @marleed 2mo
43 likes2 comments
review
Kaylamburson
The Boyfriend Wish | Swati Teerdhala
post image
Pickpick

This was a super sweet YA romance about Deepa‘s wish for a perfect bf which ensures he ends up right next store. And into the midst of their neighborhood prank war which she refuses to lose against her tormentor Vik. Love triangle and enemies to lovers all wrapped in one.

review
Kaylamburson
It Starts with Us | Colleen Hoover
post image
Pickpick

Read this immediately after seeing the movie for It Ends With Us, which was a nice refresher since I hadn‘t read it since it first published. I enjoyed reconnecting with the characters and seeing more of Lily and Atlas‘s story. I love the hope and happily ever after, despite it being a much more simplistic story than the first book.

review
Kaylamburson
His and Hers | Alice Feeney
post image
Pickpick

Another brilliant book from Alice Feeney! With two unreliable narrators, an emerging serial killer in a small town, and a disturbing look at the past, Feeney keeps you guessing. This one felt a bit slower to start then some of her others, but I actually think that was an issue with the audiobook. The “murderer” narrator, while unique, had some audio quality issues. I never listen to books on regular speed & I had to for this one. Still a favorite!

43 likes1 stack add
review
Kaylamburson
Gone Tonight | Sarah Pekkanen
post image
Pickpick

I loved how this thriller had a different dynamic than most, focusing on the mother/daughter relationship where the reader learns about the truth before the characters do. Each chapter is short, alternating perspectives between the mom and daughter. It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to understand the full story. Pekkanen also did a great job with character development so you care about both Ruth and Catherine throughout.

blurb
Kaylamburson
Gone Tonight | Sarah Pekkanen
post image

Reading this mother-daughter thriller while visiting my parents‘ and loving their new screen room and view! Truly heaven!

LiteraryinPA Ooh, what a relaxing place to read a not-relaxing book! I did like it, though. 😋 3mo
Kaylamburson Hahaha exactly! Still in the early chapters so nothing too crazy yet. But it seems it definitely won‘t be a happy mother/daughter story lol @LiteraryinLawrence 3mo
49 likes2 comments
review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

Book publishing meets rom-com meets Beauty and the Beast. This book took all the best Beauty and the Beast themes (beautiful library, talking bathtub, and amazing chef/staff—yes, please!), and created a story all its own. A recluse celebrity struggling to write his memoir due to past trauma and an editorial assistant tugging at his heartstrings and pulling it out of him, with a very sweet romance. I‘m excited to read the rest of Meant to Be!

review
Kaylamburson
Part of Your World | Abby Jimenez
post image
Pickpick

Jiminez continues to be a must-read author. I love how her romances are so much more than that and always dive into a deeper emotional storyline.
But Daniel is such a good love interest, and I loved watching their story evolve in this big city girl meets small town boy book.

50 likes1 stack add
review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

This was a fantastic read! It pulls you in immediately starting off with Alexandra‘s family murdered one night while they all slept. It slows down a bit after that, but it‘s only because there is so much content, mystery and intrigue to digest. From Alexandra‘s life when she was accused of the murder, to the defamation case against the police, avoiding the public and their obsession for true crime, & unraveling the truth behind it all.

blurb
Kaylamburson
post image

Just started this today and it‘s addicting from the first minute. Tried listening during every spare moment today and about 3 hours in 😍. Can‘t wait to see where it leads.

review
Kaylamburson
Just for the Summer | Abby Jimenez
post image
Pickpick

Jiminez always does a fantastic job melding hard truths and traumatic experiences with romance, and this novel is no different.
Justin is a fantastic book boyfriend and perfect older brother and caretaker to his siblings. Emma‘s relationship with all of them is beyond sweet and had me tearing up several times.
I have to go back and read Part of Your World and Yours Truly as characters from those books make an appearance in this one.

review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

A phenomenal book that reminds you there is always something beautiful to find in the world around you despite the hardships. It was beautiful watching the good two strangers in completely different life stages and tax brackets could bring out in each other. And plenty of humor, too.

review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

A murder mystery author is on a book tour in Italy where her friend (who has also been blackmailing her) thinks he is about to get murdered. Which is oddly perfect as she was going to kill him off as a character in her book anyway.
This is a light read with an inside look at the publishing industry as the main character is always breaking the fourth wall. Perfect beach read with a bit of mystery…and murder!

review
Kaylamburson
Beautiful Ugly | Alice Feeney
post image
Pickpick

Alice Feeney writes another edge-of-your-seat thriller with an ending you won‘t see coming! She is masterful at pacing and storytelling. Until almost the end I really couldn‘t see where the story was going, but it all just clicks into place right when she wants it to.

There‘s even a hidden Easter egg revealed at the end that is incorporated seamlessly and will have you flipping back to try to find it. I can‘t wait for others to read it!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love her books! 5mo
Kaylamburson They are all so good!! This was her best, I think! @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 5mo
49 likes5 stack adds2 comments
review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

This was such a beautiful story about friendship, love, respect, and understanding of all beings and people from all walks of life. There were so many sweet and emotional moments, and even the characters with a bit of an edge make it impossible not to love them. It reminded me a bit of Miss Peregrine‘s Home for Peculiar Children but for adults.
I am so excited for the sequel!

review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

Read an advanced manuscript of the new Jason Rekulak and it was so good! The rich seem to always get away with everything and this explores that further as a widowed father tries to protect his estranged daughter who is marrying into a tech-billionaire family. The foster child Abigail was my favorite character and I love how her storyline develops.
A strong thriller I finished in a few days. The ending is a bit abrupt but it does answer it all.

45 likes1 stack add
review
Kaylamburson
The Husbands | Holly Gramazio
post image
Pickpick

I couldn't put this one down! The concept of a magic attic spawning husbands like a dating app was intriguing. However, it grew repetitive as we barely connected with the many characters. The ending felt rushed, lacking closure. The message about finding happiness within was solid, but the pacing at the end could've been slower to enrich the experience.

review
Kaylamburson
Happy Place | Emily Henry
post image
Pickpick

This was a much stronger book than Beach Read! I liked the dynamic of the friend group, and I was routing for Wyn and Harriet‘s relationship from the beginning, but it wasn‘t until about halfway through the book I really started caring about the characters. It was a cute read and I appreciated how it touched on depression and how insecurities can pull apart a strong relationship.

54 likes1 stack add
review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

I enjoyed this despite it being a slow read. I live on a boarding school campus, so it was extra interesting to see that perspective through the MC‘s eyes. I needed to know who the killer was and it felt a bit like a true crime novel itself.

review
Kaylamburson
Helpline | Katherine Collette
post image
Mehso-so

I enjoyed parts of this book, but I was never super excited to pick it up. Took me about four months to read and felt like a wannabe Eleanor Oliphant. Some great characters but also times where the main character was more frustrating than charming.

45 likes1 stack add
review
Kaylamburson
Flamer | Mike Curato
post image
Pickpick

This is the top banned book right now so I wanted to see what it was about. I liked the art style and it was easy to follow the story while adding some depth to the emotion with the use of flames and orange/red coloring. There‘s a lot of mature content (sex, masturbation, and suicide), but it‘s ultimately about finding your place in the world and that everyone matters.

review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

Just finished the last book in this self-published Super Powereds series and it was so good! This was probably my favorite series since Happy Potter or The Hunger Games. The characters develop so much from year one to year four, and you get to root for their success every step of the way. I‘m so sad it‘s done! Each book is so long (this was 61 hours), but it read faster than some 8 hour books. Highly recommend!

review
Kaylamburson
Heartstopper | Alice Oseman
post image
Pickpick

I watched the show last year and loved it, so decided to pick up volume one of the graphic novel. It is a super fast read and I finished it in about 45 minutes. I‘m not as invested in the characters since you don‘t get as much time with them, but I definitely felt the excitement near the end!

review
Kaylamburson
The Villa: A Novel | Rachel Hawkins
post image
Mehso-so

I enjoyed the present day timeline in this book but wasn‘t invested in the past timeline, so it prevented me from really getting into the story. I enjoyed it but there wasn‘t anything surprising in it. And I feel like it ended abruptly.

review
Kaylamburson
Better than Fiction | Alexa Martin
post image
Mehso-so

The first half of this romance is a bit slow, and if it wasn‘t for our bookclub I likely wouldn‘t have finished it. However, the second half picks up and you start to root for Jasper and Drew to find their happily ever after. The beginning was a bit too tied up in family drama and the romance wasn‘t believable at first. But I became fans of it as it progressed. And it had a very sweet ending.

review
Kaylamburson
Corpies | Drew Hayes
post image
Pickpick

This book added dimension to the superhero world outside of what we‘ve seen in the superhero school. This book follows Titan after a fall from grace. He makes his way back as a superhero after laying low for so long. He is a likeable character and we meet a lot of other characters with strong personalities that you grow very attached to. I really enjoyed seeing that there‘s a life for supers besides super hero work like rescue workers.

review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

Just finished year 3 of this series and it is branching out further from the safety of the super hero school, and we are being introduced to bad guys and forces outside of what we‘ve gotten used to in books 1 and 2. A bit slower than the first two books but still really well done and addictive. Especially for a 41 hour audiobook! We are learning more about Nick and other students families, so it‘s expanding the world in a positive direction.

review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

Year 2 of the Super Powereds series was just as addicting as year 1! It‘s the longest audiobook I‘ve ever listened to at 32 hours, but it flew faster than some 6 hour audiobooks I‘ve listened to. I do feel like there were some chapters that were redundant or didn‘t push the storyline or character development along, but they were few and far between.

review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

I really enjoyed Hannah Brown‘s memoir! I liked how she carried herself during the Bachelor and Bachelorette while also being unapologetically herself. She also experienced quite a lot by her early 20s, and it is definitely a reminder that there is more to a person than what meets the eye. I respect her a lot more after listening to her story, and she actually was a great storyteller and narrator. I‘ll give her rom-com a try this spring!

review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

I‘m surprised but I‘m loving this series! It‘s not something I would‘ve picked up on my own as I don‘t read a lot of self-published, sci-fi series, or really long books. But it was recommended, & I‘m glad I gave it a chance. The most impressive part is Kyle McCarley the audiobook narrator uses a full list of characters & differentiates voices between the characters. I can hear a voice and know who is speaking by their unique sound!

review
Kaylamburson
A Cup of Holiday Fear | Ellie Alexander
post image
Pickpick

This was my very first cozy mystery, and it was fun! A nice switch up from the holiday rom-coms, while still keeping me in the holiday spirit. The whodunnit aspect was a bit abrupt as it didn‘t have a lot of lead up, but it fit into the story. I‘d definitely try another cozy mystery in the future.

Gissy The mug match perfectly with the book😍❤️❤️❤️ 9mo
Kaylamburson It does!! I was very excited about that 😂 luckily mine was not poison haha @Gissy 9mo
48 likes2 comments
review
Kaylamburson
I'm Glad My Mom Died | Jennette McCurdy
post image
Pickpick

McCurdy is an engaging writer & it‘s difficult to read about all the trauma she suffered at the hands of her mom, grandma & Hollywood. I‘m so glad she‘s doing better & was brave enough to share her story. I listened to the audiobook read by her, & she does a phenomenal job with it. She‘s a natural storyteller & even got Miranda Cosgrove‘s voice down to the point that I wondered if those lines were read by Miranda.
I can‘t wait to read her fiction!

60 likes1 stack add
review
Kaylamburson
Faking Christmas | Kerry Winfrey
post image
Pickpick

My first book of the year to round out the holiday season! I read a handful of holiday romance-coms this year, including a different “Faking Christmas” title, but this was a top pick!

Laurel‘s boss Gilbert mistakenly thinks that Laurel owns and runs a family farm with plenty of Christmas traditions, but it‘s her twin sister‘s. So she tries to fool him with a fake husband (her nemesis) to attempt to keep her job. It‘s romantic and really funny!

review
Kaylamburson
The Heart Principle | Helen Hoang
post image
Pickpick

This is so much more than a rom-com! Yes, there‘s a romance to root for & plenty of steamy scenes, but it‘s also about the evolution of Anna & Quan. They have major life struggles to face, & they come to accept themselves throughout the process.

The book is heavier than Hoang‘s others as Anna has to care for an aging father and unsupportive family. But, these struggles were so important for Anna‘s growth.
This is one of my new favorites!

Ddzmini Need to get this I‘ve already read the first two and loved them 💁🏼‍♀️ 10mo
Kaylamburson Loved the first two too!! They are all so good!! @Ddzmini 10mo
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Kaylamburson
Lovelight Farms | B. K. Borison
post image
Mehso-so

My last read of 2023! It‘s a cute Christmas romance, but it took too long to get to the heart of the story and plot. It definitely did not need to be over 10 hours long.

review
Kaylamburson
Christmas by Accident | Camron Wright
post image
Mehso-so

A cute premise about an insurance adjuster meeting a woman after her accident, and she and her sick uncle helps him see the joy of Christmas, but I didn‘t feel connected to the characters. A lot was going on, but nothing in depth enough to care about the outcome. It‘s a super short listen at about 5 hours on audiobook, so it was easy listening while cleaning.

review
Kaylamburson
Faking Christmas | Cindy Steel
post image
Pickpick

I downloaded and finished Faking Christmas in one day on audio, & it is such a feel-good enemies to lovers! Yet it still tackles some deeper subject matter like grief without derailing the romantic momentum. The best part, there‘s no annoying communication issue break-up plot as is always the case with this trope. This definitely got me in the Christmas spirit, and I recommend for anyone wanting a young Hallmark-esque story. It‘s vanilla & sweet!

review
Kaylamburson
A Merry Little Meet Cute | Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone
post image
Pickpick

This is a fun Christmas romance to gear up for the holiday season! It‘s very steamy with sex scenes every few chapters, and I really liked the plot of a porn star trying to get her next opportunity in a wholesome Christmas movie, while costarring with a former boy band pop star she was obsessed with as a teen. The book went on a bit long and there wasn‘t a lot of build-up to the relationship as it kicked off early on, but I still enjoyed it!

55 likes1 stack add
review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

This psychological thriller had an unexpected spin on it that kept me reading and needing to know more. There isn‘t a ton of motivation to explain the driving forces behind the plot, but if you take it at face value, it‘s an intriguing and entertaining book!

What happens when a one-night stand from your bachelorette party stalks you to your wedding and honeymoon?

48 likes1 stack add
review
Kaylamburson
Woman in Me | Britney Spears
post image
Pickpick

Britney‘s memoir is short and a quick listen on audio, but it still covers what many people want to know most about—her relationships and the conservatorship. It‘s a bit repetitive in parts, but the chapters are sort and you feel as if you‘re listening to a friend thanks to Michelle‘s narration. Britney has lived such a tough life and I truly hope she has sunnier days ahead and is able to spend more time with her kids.

56 likes1 stack add
review
Kaylamburson
Road Trip | Beth O'Leary
post image
Pickpick

This was a fun rom-com about Dylan who is traveling to figure out what‘s next without family money, & he meets Addie who is managing the bed & breakfast. We see their love story unfold in “then” chapters & see why it ended in the “now” chapters when they inadvertently end up traveling to their friend‘s wedding together with her sister, his best friend who hates Addie, and a random guest.
Spicy & sweet & quite the adventurous road trip!

49 likes1 stack add
blurb
Kaylamburson
The Woman in Me | Britney Spears
post image

I‘m so excited about Spotify‘s new audiobook program for Premium users! Listening to Britney Spear‘s new memoir for free and available to download immediately with no holds! You get 15 hours a month of free listening and that‘s not too bad! 1-2 audiobooks a month depending on how long they are!

marleed That‘s cool! 12mo
quietlycuriouskate I'm feeling cheated. My husband told me to check this out 'cause he knew I'd love it: it turns out that only the main account (i.e his) gets the free audiobook hours. The other accounts (mine and daughter's) in our family subscription get nothing. 😒 12mo
Kaylamburson Oh no!! That‘s so silly. They should give it to all in the subscription or let you share the hours. Truthfully I‘m just logged into my husband‘s account as I don‘t have my own. As long as we aren‘t listening again the same time, it works @quietlycuriouskate 12mo
61 likes3 comments
review
Kaylamburson
Sometimes I Lie | Alice Feeney
post image
Pickpick

So many twists and a really strong debut novel! I am still thinking about the ending and have been researching all the fan theories. I do think the most straightforward viewpoint makes the most sense, but was shocked by the way it all played out.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love all of her books!! 12mo
Kaylamburson The two I‘ve read so far are so good! @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 12mo
45 likes4 stack adds2 comments
review
Kaylamburson
Make a Wish | Helena Hunting
post image
Pickpick

This was surprisingly emotional for a rom-com. I listened to the audiobook and the last several chapters I had to hold back tears so I could keep driving. Hunting does a really nice job bringing the characters to life and Peyton, the 9 year old daughter, added higher stakes and emotion to a romance that you don‘t often see.

review
Kaylamburson
post image
Pickpick

Incredible audiobook narrator that allows the listener to differentiate between the many characters easily thanks to her voice acting. In the vein of Big Little Lies, we have rich characters doing awful things, but you can‘t stop watching and wanting to know what happens.

review
Kaylamburson
The Coworker | Freida McFadden
post image
Pickpick

This was an easy read that I sped through in a handful of hours. We have two polar opposite coworkers, both unreliable narrators, as you try to determine who is telling the truth. The “who” didn‘t surprise me, but the “how” & “why” was exciting to unfold. There are blurry lines and questions of morality, and McFadden does a good job of keeping it entertaining throughout. Although we could have pulled back on “turtles” as a personality trait!

rubyslippersreads The turtles were a bit much. 🐢 12mo
Kaylamburson Definitely a lot of turtles 🐢😂😂 @rubyslippersreads 12mo
40 likes4 stack adds2 comments
review
Kaylamburson
Pieces of Her | Karin Slaughter
post image
Mehso-so

This was a much darker read than I expected. It‘s quite graphic in many scenes and feels a bit more like horror than thriller in some moments. It kept me on the edge of my seat and my heart rate was elevated for much of it!
It was a bit too long and convoluted, but I still enjoyed it.

review
Kaylamburson
Layla | Colleen Hoover
post image
Pickpick

I‘m usually not into paranormal romance but this was just like every Colleen Hoover I‘ve read—fantastic! It was unexpected and thrilling, and I was surprised by the twist.