Tag Archive for: Stand-Alone

Happy Place

Happy PlaceTitle: Happy Place
Author: Emily Henry
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 388
Length: 11h 2m
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Source: Owned
Reason: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I absolutely adored HAPPY PLACE! I laughed, I cried, I worried, and I definitely squee’d. Harriet and Wyn were amazing characters. Even though a lot of their problems could’ve been fixed if they had communicated, I’m glad Henry showed that not only communication is hard at the best of times, it’s so much harder when depression, grief, and trauma are present.

Summer in the City

Summer in the CityTitle: Summer in the City
Author: Alex Aster
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 294
Length: 10h 48m
Narrator: Diane Guerrero
Source: Library
Reason: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed reading SUMMER IN THE CITY. I loved both Elle and Parker and their lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers dynamic. I loved their banter and sexual tension. Watching them fall in love and figure out their shit was delightful. I also really loved experiencing New York City through their eyes and her screenplay writing.

How Freaking Romantic

How Freaking RomanticTitle: How Freaking Romantic
Author: Emily Harding
Genre: Romance
Format: Audio
Pages: 344
Length: 9h 17m
Narrator: Allyson Ryan
Source: Owned
Reason: BotM Backlist
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed HOW FREAKING ROMANTIC. I thought it was fun emotional story. I really liked Bea and Nate. They had great chemistry. I’m glad Bea found a more healthy place to direct her anger. I’m also glad Josh got the help he needed and that he and Jill could have a better parting.

,

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight SoilTitle: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
Author: V.E. Schwab
Genre: Romantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 535
Length: 18h 26m
Narrator: Katie Leung, and more
Source: Library
Rating:

My Thoughts

I didn’t realize BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL was a vampire story going in. That was a fun discovery. I enjoyed the stories of each of the women. Although, Alice was my favorite because I related to her more than the other two. I wasn’t as interested in or drawn to the sapphic relationships as I was the other aspects of the story. However, I think these relationships were the best way to tell the story Schwab wanted to tell.

Additional Narrators: Marisa Calin, Julia Whelan

,

The Poet Empress

The Poet EmpressTitle: The Poet Empress
Author: Shen Tao
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio
Pages: 400
Length: 15h 43m
Narrator: Katharine Chin, Eric Yang
Source: Owned
Reason: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’m really glad I decided to read THE POET EMPRESS. It’s a lot darker than I normally read and it’s my first anti-romance, but I ended up loving the story and all that was at stake. I especially loved the Chinese historical and poetic influences. The political intrigue and the themes of nature vs. nurture, redemption, and revenge gave me a lot of think about as I read. I’m glad the book ended the way it did. I think it was right for the story and the characters.