The Circus Train

The Circus TrainTitle: The Circus Train
Author: Amita Parikh
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Audio
Pages: 352
Length: 14h 39m
Narrator: Imogen Church
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved THE CIRCUS TRAIN. While I don’t feel like it’s reminiscent of THE NIGHT CIRCUS like the blurb says it is, I thought the story and characters were interesting, rich, and fraught with heartache, challenges, and perseverance.

I loved the concept of a traveling circus by train in Europe before and during World War II. The history helped shape the story and give it more depth. It was very interesting to see World War II from so many different perspectives and locations. I really enjoyed the author’s note at the end explaining the creative license vs. the reality.

The circus itself helped turn an otherwise troubling and deadly time into a life worth living despite the pain. I loved Lena, Theo (father), Alexandre (love interest), and Clara (governess). They all shined and made the story a pleasure to read. I won’t be forgetting this story any time soon.

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest HitsTitle: The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits
Author: Jennifer Weiner
Genre: Contemporary
Format: Audio
Pages: 377
Length: 15h 32m
Narrator: Dakota Fanning
Source: Owned
Reason: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

The longer THE GRIFFIN SISTERS’ GREATEST HITS went on, the angrier I got. I thought the concept was interesting but if the author mentioned that Cassie was the ugly fat sister one more time, I was going to scream. I get that the author wanted the reader comparing Cassie and Zoe to show that beauty isn’t the only value a person has. I just felt like she beat us over the head with it and it really irked me.

I also hated that Cassie wasted her life after Russell died because Zoe was too selfish to admit that he didn’t love her (Zoe). I also hated that she had coerced him into marrying her, then cheated on him and was pregnant with Tommy’s baby, and flogged Russell into depression for cheating on her with Cassie. And, most of all, I hated that when the reader finds this all out, there are still nearly 100 pages left to read. 

The one saving grace was Dakota Fanning’s narration. I also liked the ending (it just took way too long to get there).

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A Winter in New York

A Winter in New YorkTitle: A Winter in New York
Author: Josie Silver
Genre: Holiday, Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 372
Length: 10h 41m
Narrator: Emma Appleton
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

A WINTER IN NEW YORK was a heart-warming story about love, grief, heartbreak, forgiveness, healing, and found family. The setting was perfect and I loved the characters so much. I couldn’t get enough of them. I especially loved the chemistry and sexual tension between Iris and Gio.

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Yours Truly

Yours TrulyTitle: Yours Truly
Author: Abby Jimenez
Series: Part of Your World #2
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 398
Length: 11h 30m
Narrator: Zachary Webber, Kyla Garcia
Source: Library
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

YOURS TRULY gave me all the feels. I literally laughed out loud a few times, which isn’t common for me when I read. (Chapter 32 is hilarious and the audiobook makes it even better.) I cried and I swore. I loved how Jimenez portrayed anxiety, depression, and trauma in this story. It felt so realistic. I loved that Jacob used skills he learned in therapy when his anxiety became too much for him. It reminded me of DBT.

I loved Briana and Jacob. I loved their sense of humor. I loved their chemistry, banter, and sexual tension. Their romance was so swoony. I swore at them a couple of times because the miscommunication between the two of them was Olympic medal worthy.

Our Infinite Fates

Our Infinite FatesTitle: Our Infinite Fates
Author: Laura Steven
Genre: Romantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 343
Length: 11h 12m
Narrator: Sofia Oxenham
Source: Owned
Reason: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

OUR INFINITE FATES is a star-crossed lovers romance about love, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness. The concept is such a unique idea and different from anything I’ve read before. I loved the concept and I loved Evelyn and Arden and all their personas. I loved Evelyn and Arden, their connection, chemistry, and love. I loved each of their iterations. I thought it was interesting that they could reincarnate as a different gender. 

It was such an enjoyable story to read. I absolutely adored it until the last chapter. I was fine with them reincarnating as a different gender and I really disliked Evelyn’s last iteration. I wanted her to be a woman like she was in her first life.