Tag Archive for: 5 Stars

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.

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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.

The Haunting of Paynes Hollow

The Haunting of Paynes HollowTitle: The Haunting of Paynes Hollow
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Horror
Format: Audio
Pages: 320
Length: 9h 24m
Narrator: E.J. Lavery
Source: Owned
Reason: Book of the Month
Rating:

My Thoughts

Wow! I’m so glad I chose THE HAUNTING OF PAYNES HOLLOW as my October Book of the Month pick. It was so much fun! I loved the callback to Sleepy Hollow and the Headless Horseman. I loved the setting, the supernatural legends, the characters, and the big reveal at the end! When I wasn’t reading, I couldn’t wait to get back to the story. I’ll definitely be looking up more books by Kelley Armstrong.

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The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

The Undertaking of Hart and MercyTitle: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy
Author: Megan Bannen
Series: Hart & Mercy #1
Genre: Romantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 439
Length: 12h 15m
Narrator: Rachanee Lumayno, Michael Gallagher
Source: Owned
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved reading THE UNDERTAKING OF HART AND MERCY. I thought it was a fun Halloween-y You’ve Got Mail-esque romantasy. I loved the world building and all the fantastical elements. I also loved that the story was told in the POV’s of both Hart and Mercy. Their chemistry, sexual tension, and banter kept me reading. I’m excited to see what happens in the next book. I also loved the audio. The narrators were perfect as Hart and Mercy.

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Husbands & Lovers

Husbands & LoversTitle: Husbands & Lovers
Author: Beatriz Williams
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 384
Length: 12h 31m
Narrator: Helen Laser, Caroline Hewitt
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

I absolutely adored HUSBANDS & LOVERS. I was hooked from the prologue. It was a beautiful story of love, loss, and betrayal. I equally loved reading both Hannah’s and Mallory’s stories and loved how they fit together.

I knew why Mallory left and didn’t talk to Monk about Sam way before the reveal. I’m sad I was right, but I’m glad the story happened the way it did. I also feel so much for Hannah and her life. She lost so much. I’m glad Mallory and Paige figured out what happened to her and got to meet Károly in the end.