Tag Archive for: 4 Stars

One-Star Romance

One-Star RomanceTitle: One-Star Romance
Author(s): Laura Hankin
Genre(s): Romance
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 383
Length: 10h 57m
Narrator(s): Laura Hankin
Source: Library
Reason(s): None
Rating:
Spice: 2.5 Flames

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed ONE-STAR ROMANCE. It was a fun, enemies-to-lovers romance. I loved the chemistry between Natalie and Rob from the very beginning. I normally like romances that don’t span years, but I liked how ONE-STAR ROMANCE handled the passing of years. It felt like the romance was that much more sweet because of how long it took the characters to admit to and act on their feelings. I also loved that the author narrated the audiobook.

Ink Blood Sister Scribe

Ink Blood Sister ScribeTitle: Ink Blood Sister Scribe
Author(s): Emma Törzs
Genre(s): Fantasy
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 407
Length: 13h 53m
Narrator(s): Saskia Maarleveld
Source: Owned
Reason(s): BotM Backlist
Rating:
Spice: 1 Flames

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed INK BLOOD SISTER SCRIBE. I thought the concept and magic system were very intriguing. I also thought the mystery aspect of the story was fun. I guessed a lot of what was going on but I still enjoyed reading the story as everything came to fruition.

I loved both Esther and Joanna. I felt for them as they learned the truth that had been hidden from them for most of their lives. Even though I liked Nicholas, I thought he was really naïve and needed to ask more questions. I also liked Collins, just not as a romantic interest for Joanna. I would’ve rather seen her with Nicholas.

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The Lost Apothecary

The Lost ApothecaryTitle: The Lost Apothecary
Author(s): Sarah Penner
Genre(s): Historical Fiction
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 310
Length: 10h 29m
Narrator(s): Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, Lauren Irwin
Source: Owned
Reason(s): BotM Backlist
Rating:
Spice: 1 Flames

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed THE LOST APOTHECARY. I loved that the story was written in three POVs, two from the past and one from present day. I thought it was an interesting look at how we interpret past events vs what really happened.

I liked both the past story and the present day one, but I thought the past one was a bit more interesting. I thought the idea of an apothecary dispensing poisons to women that wanted to exact revenge on the men who betrayed them was a really fun concept. It made for an interesting mystery.

Someone Else’s Shoes

Someone Else’s ShoesTitle: Someone Else's Shoes
Author(s): Jojo Moyes
Genre(s): Contemporary
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 438
Length: 12h 21m
Narrator(s): Daisy Ridley
Source: Owned
Reason(s): BotM Backlist
Rating:
Spice: 1.5 Flames

My Thoughts

SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOES was a fun book to read. I enjoyed seeing how one little mixup could cause so much chaos in each of the women’s lives. I wondered how the story would resolve itself and I wasn’t disappointed. I did like one woman more than the other, but both women had their own difficulties and ways of dealing with their circumstances.

I liked the audiobook a lot and listening to Daisy Ridley’s narration. I’m glad I chose this book for my Book of the Month book when I did.

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My Friends

My FriendsTitle: My Friends
Author(s): Fredrik Backman
Genre(s): Contemporary
Format(s): Audio
Pages: 436
Length: 13h 7m
Narrator(s): Marin Ireland
Source: Owned
Reason(s): Book Club, Book of the Month
Rating:
Spice: 1 Flames

My Thoughts

I don’t know what it is about Fredrik Backman, but he has the ability to tell a story with so much feeling and depth without it being boring or seeming contrived. He writes characters, situations, and the feelings of both better than any other author I’ve read. I love his ability to tell his stories in parts.

MY FRIENDS was a beautiful story about growing up, found family, resilience, and finding the silver lining in really shitty circumstances. It deals with hard topics like bullying, immigration, abuse, sickness, and grief. Even though the story is sad, it’s interspersed with laughter and happiness, and ends with a feeling of hope. There are also a lot of farts (iykyk). This one kept me guessing until the end and I loved taking the journey with the characters.