Hello Beautiful

Hello BeautifulTitle: Hello Beautiful
Author: Ann Napolitano
Genre: Literary Fiction
Format: Audio
Pages: 383
Length: 15h 6m
Narrator: Maura Tierney
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

HELLO BEAUTIFUL is a touching story about love, loss, depression, betrayal, forgiveness, and second chances. Even though I’m not a huge fan of Little Women, I liked how Napolitano used it to shape the Padavano sisters. (And, in this case, Laurie ended up with the right sister.)

This book will definitely give my book club a lot to discuss. Also, while I didn’t mind the audio for the most part, there were times that I thought the narrator sounded robotic and with no emotion in her voice.

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Boss Witch

Boss WitchTitle: Boss Witch
Author: Ann Aguirre
Series: Fix-It Witches #2
Genre: Magical Realism, Romance
Spice: 3.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 320
Length: 10h 13m
Narrator: Ava Lucas
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: Witch Please, Extra Witchy
My Thoughts

I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy BOSS WITCH as much as WITCH PLEASE because I didn’t like Clem very much in Danica’s story. However, once I was in Clem’s head and understood why she did the things she did, I couldn’t help liking her and even empathizing with her. I also really liked Gavin and I loved the chemistry between him and Clem. (I didn’t like how the narrator voiced Gavin. The voice was too gravelly.)

I loved seeing more of the witch world and their politics. It made for an interesting, spicy, fun read. I’m glad I decided to give this a chance. I’ll probably read the next installment as well some time.

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Onyx Storm

Onyx StormTitle: Onyx Storm
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: Empyrean #3
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Spice: 3.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 527
Length: 23h 52m
Narrator: Rebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton, Justis Bolding, Jasmin Walker
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame
My Thoughts

Holy crap! That ending! Why do I read these series before all the books are out?! It’s going to be torture waiting for the next book. I feel like I did after watching Avengers: Infinity War for the first time–numb, sad, and trying to be hopeful despite the crushing weight of grief. So many tears! So many! Rebecca Yarros certainly knows how to hook her readers and stomp all over their hearts.

From the instant I started reading ONYX STORM, I was hooked. I wanted to know everything and make sure my favorite characters made it out of the story alive. I loved learning more about Andarna and seeing more of the world than in previous books.

I’m excited to see where this series goes next and I’ll be on pins and needles waiting for the next book.

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The Blonde Identity

The Blonde IdentityTitle: The Blonde Identity
Author: Ally Carter
Series: Blonde Identity #1
Genre: Romance, Thriller
Spice: 1.5 / 5
Format: Audio
Pages: 289
Length: 9h 1m
Narrator: Emily Ellet, Andrew Eiden
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold
My Thoughts

THE BLONDE IDENTITY was such a fun fast-paced fade-to-black romance. I loved both Zoe and Sawyer, their chemistry, and banter.

I loved the premise of Zoe being the non-espionage twin targeted by iffy governments and groups all while trying to get her memory back. It was action-packed with never a dull moment. The story felt like a funnier and rom-comier version of The Bourne Identity.

I’m excited to stay in this world and read Alex’s story once THE BLONDE WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD releases later this year.

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The Soulmate

The SoulmateTitle: The Soulmate
Author: Sally Hepworth
Genre: Thriller
Format: Audio
Pages: 327
Length: 7h 44m
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik, Jessica Douglas-Henry
Reason Read: Book Club, Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

This is the second Hepworth book I’ve read. With both books, I really enjoyed the suspense, but I struggled with the mental health aspects. I feel like Hepworth uses diagnoses like Borderline Personality Disorder or Bipolar Disorder as a crutch to explain why her antagonists are psychotic. Also, the ending in this one wasn’t very satisfying.

Despite THE SOULMATE’s flaws, the story was intriguing. I liked the dual narrators and the back and forth between the then and the now. The suspense kept me reading because I wanted to know the whole story.