Best of July

 

Here are the best of the bests for July. 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

"Also best book of the month!"

Carole - Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

"I am in love with book!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  The First American (2016)

"This was informative and a nice watch for history lovers."

Blodeuedd - KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

"I watched Kpop demon hunters with my kid, and omg these rongs rocked."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Patience & The Marlow Murder Club

"Summer means British murder mysteries and I watched Patience and the Marlow Murder Club."

Carole - The Daily Show & Superstore (s1-6)

"The Daily Show keeps going strong even after all these years! And we re-watched Superstore...so funny."

Best Cover of the Month:

C's pick

B's pick

Honorable mention(s):

Blodeuedd's - "And a shoutout to these. I had an incredible month and there are more I could mention."

Carole's - "I would be remiss if I didn't give a special nod to this one. Honestly to the whole series so far. All of them have been great."

Audio: What happens in the Highlands by Anna Bradley

Narrated by: Jessica BrightSeries

Book 1, Cairncross Castle

Release date: 06-24-25

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher: Tantor Media

Historical romance

This was the first time the Highlands were a bit scary, ok not that scary, it is just all the townsfolk are scared of the three sisters. I was expecting pitchforks. It is set in the 1700s and Cat does mention an grandaunt who was burned at the stake. See, scary.

There are three sisters, all redheads. And the village claims they are witches. But the truth is one is good with animals, one loves science, and one loves plants.

To make things worse, there is talk about a hidden treasure and they live alone. People have already tried taking said treasure.

In comes Hamish who feels that treasure is his. And he acts like such a arse, it took a long time for me to like him. I just wanted to kick him. They do eventually fall in love.

So to save everyone Cat goes on a treasure hunt with him, and yes they will fall in love, but, even though this book has a HEA I felt it was more a HFN because the book ends with a cliffie!

Good narration, I got the feel of the highlands.

In the months since their father, Rory, died, the MacLeod sisters have had to contend with bands of smugglers convinced he left a treasure buried within the walls of their home at Castle Cairncross. Only the most mystifying occurrences have foiled the thieves—stirring whispers that the sisters are sorceresses. Yet, they have no treasure, nor are they witches. However, each inexplicably possesses a unique ability. The eldest, Catriona, is a brilliant healer and alchemist—a skill she is about to put to unforeseen use . . .

Hamish Muir, the charismatic Marquess of Ballantyne and son of Rory’s business partner, has come to claim his share of the treasure. When he spies fiery-haired Cat in the village, he follows her. But the tables turn, and Hamish finds himself at Castle Cairncross—emerging from a daze . . .

Persuaded the castle harbors no treasure, Hamish remains certain Rory hid it somewhere. Cat offers a proposal: She will help Hamish decipher her father’s notes if he takes her on the treasure hunt with him—and her sisters are not left alone. Reluctantly, Hamish summons two Lairds to the castle. But as he and Cat set off to navigate a maze of maps and danger, a mutual respect—and attraction—ignites between them. Perhaps the real treasure isn’t gold after all . . .

The King´s Jewel by Elizabeth Chadwick

Format: 464 pages, Paperback

Published: October 8, 2024 by Mobius

Historical fiction/own

I have heard of Nesta, so a whole book about her was interesting. She was born a Welsh princess, but then the Normans killed her father. Her brother fled to Ireland and she ended up a hostage. Later she became a unwilling mistress to Henry I. Women had no say at all. After giving Henry a son he saw fit to give her away in marriage to a Norman Lord residing in her old home.

So yes she was used and discarded, and she did the best she could. She knew she was only a chess piece and at least here she grew to care for her husband. But her story did not end there, instead she was later called the Helen of Wales. Because there is this handsome Welsh prince....

Fascinating and Chadwick tells it so well. History in the eyes of a woman. Also Nesta´s bloodlines lives on. She was not erased from history.

Wales, 1093.

The warm, comfortable family life of young Nesta, daughter of Prince Rhys of Deheubarth is destroyed when her father is killed and she is taken hostage. Her honor is further tarnished when she is taken as an unwilling concubine by King William's ruthless younger brother Henry, who later ascends the throne under suspicious circumstances.

Gerald FitzWalter, an ambitious young knight is rewarded for his unwavering loyalty to his new King with Nesta's hand in marriage. He is delighted, having always admired her from afar, but Nesta's only comfort is her return to her beloved Wales where cannot help but be tempted by the handsome, charismatic and dangerous son of the Welsh prince, Owain. When he offers her the chance to join him in his plan to overthrow Norman rule she must choose between her duty and her desire . . .

Audio A Kiss for Lady Mary by Ella Quinn

By: Ella Quinn

Narrated by: Sasha Higgins

Series: The Marriage Game, Book 6

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Release date: 06-24-25 by Tantor Media

Historical romance

Mary is being pursued by her cousin and he is trying everything to force her to marry him. So her grandmother comes up with a crazy idea and sends her to an estate where she pretends to be the wife of the owner. Yes I said it was crazy. But it all makes sense in the end.

She stays there with her aunt and she even makes the place better...until the owner shows up and is appalled that someone is faking being his wife.

But Kit and Mary realise that they are in a bad position and tries to find a way out. And while they do that, they of course fall madly in love.

The aunt gets a sidestory too, which worked. But then a third couple got a sidestory and this threw me because it made no sense. Maybe they have been in previous books? Because it was out of the blue and they really deserved a book of their own.

Happily ever after wins in the end.

The narrator did a good job with everything from voices to accents. It was a pleasant narration

Handsome, charming, and heir to a powerful Viscount, Christopher “Kit” Featherton is everything a woman could want—except interested in marriage. So when he hears that someone on his estate near the Scottish border is claiming to be his wife, Kit sets off to investigate.

Since her parents’ death, Lady Mary Tolliver has been hounded by her cousin, a fortune-hunting fool after her inheritance. Refusing to settle for anything less than love, Mary escapes to the isolated estate of rakish bachelor, Kit Featherton. Knowing he prefers Court to the country, she believes she will be safe. But when Kit unexpectedly returns, her pretend marriage begins to feel seductively real…

Carole´s Monday: The Murder of Mr Wickham

 

Author: Claudia Gray

Title: The Murder of Mr. Wickham

Series: Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney #1

Genre: Mystery, Retelling, Historical Fiction, Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 387

Published: May 3, 2022

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A summer house party turns into a whodunit when Mr. Wickham, one of literature’s most notorious villains, meets a sudden and suspicious end in this mystery featuring Jane Austen’s leading literary characters.

The happily married Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a house party, bringing together distant relatives and new acquaintances—characters beloved by Jane Austen fans. Definitely not invited is Mr. Wickham, whose latest financial scheme has netted him an even broader array of enemies. As tempers flare and secrets are revealed, it’s clear that everyone would be happier if Mr. Wickham got his comeuppance. Yet they’re all shocked when Wickham turns up murdered—except, of course, for the killer hidden in their midst.

Nearly everyone at the house party is a suspect, so it falls to the party’s two youngest guests to solve the mystery: Juliet Tilney, the smart and resourceful daughter of Catherine and Henry, eager for adventure beyond Northanger Abbey; and Jonathan Darcy, the Darcys’ eldest son, whose adherence to propriety makes his father seem almost relaxed. The unlikely pair must put aside their own poor first impressions and uncover the guilty party—before an innocent person is sentenced to hang.

Review:

Who doesn't love a good Jane Austen retelling mixed with a murder of Mr. Wickham???

Mr. Knightley and Emma are throwing a party and bringing together distant relatives, old friends, and new acquaintances. We see faces from all over Jane Austen books. Everyone is having a good time until Wickham shows up and crashes the party. He is desperate and his latest financial scheme has netted him an even broader array of enemies. No one is happy to see him and obviously someone is mad enough for murder. Everyone is a suspect and it will be up to Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy to team up and figure out the truth before the constable takes away an innocent person. 

I enjoyed this quite a bit. I liked meeting our old characters and new characters. I loved seeing them interact. However, there were SOOO many characters I had to really concentrate to keep who was who. I've read the books but I still struggled sometimes and had to stop and re-read. 

Jonathan and Juliet are for sure opposites and it was fun watching them work together. Jonathan is so rigged he makes Mr Darcy look like a carefree hippie. Juliet is clever and sweet. 

The mystery was nicely done. I had zero idea who did it, because EVERYONE wanted the swine dead. *spits* 

All-in-all, this is a wonderful book for those that like Jane Austen and mysteries! It was lovely seeing so many faces. It was a little much sometimes and I had issues here and there remembering who was who and how everyone was connected, but I was able to stay with the story and find my footing eventually. I am curious about book 2, but we shall see. Maybe if my library has it. Now a rating??? Mhmmmmm........4 stars. It would be 3, but I feel that the ending twists and turns gave it a little bit of a boost. 

Favorite Character(s): Juliet

Least Favorite Character(s): Wickham of course.  

 Challenge(s):

- Cloak & Dagger #18

- Library Love #19

Audio: Call me maybe by Cara Bastone

By: Cara Bastone

Narrated by: Luci Christian, Neil Hellegers

Series: Love Lines 1

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins by Audible

Release date: 10-20-20

From audible/ contemporary romance

Vera is having trouble with her website and calls costumer service, and gets to speak to Cal. Her website is a total mess so they spend a lot of time on the phone.

This one is made for audio and the phone format works really well, they talk business, but then they speak of other things too. They flirt and they get on really well. They are really perfect for each other, but they just have to realise that and they think other things too and dare not ask for the truth.

It was shortish but fun and cute.

The two narrators worked really well together and this was a fun audio. I have done book 2 that is about her brother, and I really should check out if there is a book 3.

Paint your toes. Pick up the wrong coffee and bagel order. Drive from Brooklyn to Jersey in traffic so slow you want to tear your hair out. It’s amazing all the useless things I can accomplish while on hold for three hours with customer service. Three hours when I should be getting the Date-in-a-Box website ready to launch at the big business expo in a few days. Except my shiny new website is glitching, and my inner rage-monster is ready to scorch some earth… when he finally picks up. Not the robot voice I expected but a real live human named Cal. He’s surprisingly helpful and really knows his stuff, even if he’s a little awkward…. in an adorable way.

And suddenly I’m flirting with him? And I think he’s flirting back.

And suddenly it’s been hours, and we’re still on the phone talking and ordering each other takeout while he trouble shoots my website.

And suddenly we’re exchanging numbers and sending texts and DMs every day, leaving voice mails (who even does that anymore?!).

And suddenly I’m wondering if it’s possible for two people fall in love at first talk.

Because I’m falling… hard.

A drop of corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

459 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2025

Series: Shadow of the Leviathan (#2)

Fantasy/own

I can not do this book justice. The writing is just brilliant. My review can not compare.

The world is amazing, and the murder mystery is always fantastic. Mind blown.

Din and Ana are sent to a kingdom that is about to be swallowed by the Empire. But first they have a murder to figure out. And in this kingdom the Empire has an Island were they do strange things to the Titans that wreak havoc on the country. There are a lot of things to figure out.

Oh and Ana, such a strange woman. I was starting to have questions here. But she is a brilliant detective. Her mind is a mystery in itself. As for Din, he carries the book as it is he who is sent out to investigate as his mind has been altered to retain everything.

Ack, I just can not tell you how good it is. Ok, is is amazing! I was caught up in the world at once once more. I did not want to put it down.

Seriously you need to start this series!

In the canton of Yarrowdale, at the very edge of the Empire’s reach, an impossible crime has occurred. A Treasury officer has disappeared into thin air—abducted from his quarters while the door and windows remained locked from the inside, in a building whose entrances and exits are all under constant guard.

To solve the case, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial investigator, the great Ana Dolabra. At her side, as always, is her bemused assistant Dinios Kol.

Before long, Ana’s discovered that they’re not investigating a disappearance, but a murder—and that the killing was just the first chess move by an adversary who seems to be able to pass through warded doors like a ghost, and who can predict every one of Ana’s moves as though they can see the future.

Worse still, the killer seems to be targeting the high-security compound known as the Shroud. Here, the Empire's greatest minds dissect fallen Titans to harness the volatile magic found in their blood. Should it fall, the destruction would be terrible indeed—and the Empire itself will grind to a halt, robbed of the magic that allows its wheels of power to turn.

Din has seen Ana solve impossible cases before. But this time, with the stakes higher than ever and Ana seemingly a step behind their adversary at every turn, he fears that his superior has finally met an enemy she can’t defeat.

The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2022 by Berkley

Series: Belles of London (#1)

Historical romance/own

Dukes always fall for dressmakers and such so why not turn it around. Here we have Evie who comes to London for a season. Orphan sisters who need money, not to mention a sister who ran away with a man. For a season you need to be dressed right, and well Evie might not be the prettiest or most fashionable so she decides to be brilliant on horseback and wow them all.

But first she needs a dressmakes and in comes Ahmed. Yes like the whole class thing is not hard to begin with, then there is the thing that Ahmed is half Indian half British. But that problem is far away in the future because first there are riding habits to make, dresses to make, Evie finding friends. Evie worrying about her sister who ran away. And Evie falling in love with her handsome dressmaker and he falling for her too.

There is some drama from different directions. But from her family, oh they were lovely in the end, and her friends! And I really want to read about her friends now too. They are already called spinsters so I need to see them fall in love.

A lovely story that made me want more

Evelyn Maltravers understands exactly how little she’s worth on the marriage mart. As an incurable bluestocking from a family tumbling swiftly toward ruin, she knows she’ll never make a match in a ballroom. Her only hope is to distinguish herself by making the biggest splash in the one sphere she on horseback. In haute couture. But to truly capture London’s attention she’ll need a habit-maker who’s not afraid to take risks with his designs—and with his heart.

Half-Indian tailor Ahmad Malik has always had a talent for making women beautiful, inching his way toward recognition by designing riding habits for Rotten Row’s infamous Pretty Horsebreakers—but no one compares to Evelyn. Her unbridled spirit enchants him, awakening a depth of feeling he never thought possible.

But pushing boundaries comes at a cost and not everyone is pleased to welcome Evelyn and Ahmad into fashionable society. With obstacles spanning between them, the indomitable pair must decide which hurdles they can jump and what matters making their mark or following their hearts?

Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey

306 pages, Hardcover

Published: February 4, 2025 by Random House

Magical realism/own

I seriously remember writing a review for this one yesterday, but I guess not.

Oh it made me cry at the end, it was just so, I can not say because spoilers. I did not believe I would but that last page. Ack bittersweet.

It is a slow book, but not in a bad way. It is set in Alaska and the pace is just slower. You just live. Her prose is so good and she sets this melancholy mood, and the the need to run away.

The book is about Birdie who lives with her young daughter Emaleen, and Birdie has this urge for more. So she meets a man called Arthur and goes to live with him in the wilderness. In a cabin not fit to live in. Far away from civilization in bear country. But there is freedom there and she craves it.

This is magical realism and she weaves it so well. I believe that would be true.

Oh and the name, seriously how did I not spot it before the end! Makes so much sense.

Well written, and good.

An unforgettable dark fairy tale that asks, Can love save us from ourselves?

Birdie’s keeping it together; of course she is. So she’s a little hungover sometimes, and she has to bring her daughter, Emaleen, to her job waiting tables at an Alaskan roadside lodge, but she’s getting by as a single mother in a tough town. Still, Birdie can remember happier times from her youth, when she was free in the wilds of nature.

Arthur Neilsen, a soft-spoken and scarred recluse who appears in town only at the change of seasons, brings Emaleen back to safety when she gets lost in the woods. Most people avoid him, but to Birdie he represents everything she’s ever longed for. She finds herself falling for Arthur and the land he knows so well. Against the warnings of those who care about them, Birdie and Emaleen move to his isolated cabin in the mountains on the far side of the Wolverine River.

It’s just the three of them in the vast black woods, far from roads, telephones, electricity, and outside contact, but Birdie believes she has come prepared. At first, it’s idyllic, but soon Birdie discovers that Arthur is something much more mysterious and dangerous than she could have imagined, and that like the Alaska wilderness, a fairy tale can be as dark as it is beautiful.

Caroles Monday

Author: Abby Jimenez

Narrator: Christine Lakin & Zachary Webber

Title: Just for the Summer

Series: Part of Your World #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

Format: Audiobook 

Published: April 2, 2024

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work.

Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.

It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected--including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?

Review:

This was picked as something to read by my Twitch community BUT I had my eyes on this one as well since I enjoyed the first two of the series. 

Here we follow Emma and Justin. They both have a wild curse where the person they break up with happens to find their true love shortly after. The two meet on Reddit and decide that maybe, JUST maybe, they can break the curse after they "date" and break up. Emma is a traveling nurse and decides to take her next assignment at the hospital near Justin. This is supposed to be a quick and fake summer fling, but they are catching real feelings for each other. However, they have a lot of baggage that could provide some major hurdles for them. 

You really should read the other two books before this one especially since there is a huge connection that is revealed. I do not want to say TOO much because it is a huge twist! I had zero idea. It really took me aback! I didn't see it coming! But this does okay as a standalone overall, but the connections make it just that more special. 

Loved seeing Justin find love. He was such a nice guy in the last book. He deserves all the happiness life has to offer. My heart broke for him learning about what is happening to his family. I feel for them all...even his mom. Life is never black and white.

Oooooh Emma!!! Her backstory and issues broke my heart. I HATE her mother soooo much! I was literally screaming for Emma to stand up and tell her to go away. Booooo!

This was adorable overall. Some humor. Some smexy scenes. Lots and lots of baggage these two had to shift through. Like the other book the author does have a layer of real life mental health or health issues that she gives her characters. I really love it. Yes, you know they will find their HEA but it just feels so real. The author really does a wonderful job of blending everything together that isn't TOO heavy ALL the time or TOO sweet or TOO ridiculously funny. It is simply perfect.

I enjoyed this a lot. I dare say I loved it. 

The narrators are just the cherry on top! They are perfect and bring the story to life. 

In the end, I adored this book just as much as the others. I love our characters and I loved watching them fall in love. It broke my heart seeing them go through all the issues, but it was worth seeing it so they could get to their HEA. 5 stars from me.  

Favorite Character(s): Justin

Least Favorite Character(s): Amber

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #32

- Library Love #18

One dark window by Rachel Gillig

 

399 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2022

Series: The Shepherd King (#1)

Fantasy/own

Sometimes I give in and read hyped books, and this one it totally paid off.

It was set in a rather dark world where mist surrounds the land, people get infected and killed, and they have tarot cards that give them magic.

Elspeth caught the infection but was hidden away, but then she is thrown into the midst of highwayman, card thieves, family and royalty . She must hide what she is and the darkness that is taking over her mind.

Ohh great world. A heroine I liked at once. Some evil people to hate on. And at the end even a sprinkle of romance. It also ends with such a cliffie that I NEEDED book 2 at once. Alas, I do not have it!

Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her. Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.

But nothing comes for free, especially magic. When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.

Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.

Audio. Do not disturb by Freida McFadden

By: Freida McFadden

Narrated by: Megan Tusing, Daniel Thomas May

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Release date: 07-01-25 by Tantor Audio

Thriller

I did not think it, but this one sure packed a punch! Every time I thought I was right I was proven wrong. Twists and turns and such epic ones. I am really impressed.

It starts with murder. And it does seem he deserved it. Quinn goes on the run but gets stuck at a creepy motel because of a snowstorm. Only one other guest who lives there all year around, a managed that seems nice and his wife who is spying from their house.

I really can not say too much because I would just spoil it, but wow, well done. I need to read more even she always gives twists like this.

A great one to listen too, those last 1,5 hours, oh they kept me at the edge of my seat and the narrator did an amazing job with all voices and povs. There is also a male narrator that comes in later.

Quinn Alexander has committed an unthinkable crime. To avoid spending her life in prison, Quinn makes a run for it. She leaves behind her home, her job, and her family. She grabs her passport and heads for the northern border before the police can discover what she’s done.

But when an unexpected snowstorm forces her off the road, Quinn must take refuge at the broken-down, isolated Baxter Motel. The handsome and kindly owner, Nick Baxter, is only too happy to offer her a cheap room for the night.

Unfortunately, the Baxter Motel isn’t the quiet, safe haven it seemed to be. The motel has a dark and disturbing past. And in the dilapidated house across the way, the silhouette of Nick's ailing wife is always at the window. Always watching.

In the morning, Quinn must leave the motel. She'll pack up her belongings and get back on the road to freedom.

But first, she must survive the night.

Audio: Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

By: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Narrated by: Em Eldridge

Series: Assistant to the Villain, Book 2

Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins

Release date: 08-20-24 by Tantor Media

Fantasy/received from publisher

These are so much fun. Light fantasy, fairytale vibes, all in all while we are clearly on the villain´s side.

Evie is working for the Villain. The big bad in all the land, but he is just so...nice! Sure he is evil, but beneath that grumpy outside is clearly someone who wants to protect.

Book 1 ended with a cliffie, and well not all is as it seems. Is the villain really a villain in the end?

In this one they are trying to find her mother. Trying to find out what is happening to magic. Trying to stay hidden from the King´s forces. And just you know trying to keep everyone in check. Evie has a lot on her plate, so much office intrigues.

Oh and there is some romance sparking, but it is slow going. She fancies him, but she should not. He clearly fancies her, but he should not! So...it takes time.

Good, fun, and just different.

Great narration, she really does a amazing job with this series.

Evie Sage has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome, evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat . . . out-of-evil-office.

But Rennedawn is in trouble, and all signs—Kingsley's included—point to catastrophe. Something peculiar is happening with the kingdom's magic, and it's made The Villain's manor vulnerable to their enemies . . . including their nemesis, the king.

Now it's time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain's lair, his nefarious works, and maybe the entire kingdom. No pressure, Evie.

It's time to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It's all so . . . so . . . delightfully fun.

But what happens when the assistant to The Villain is ready to become his apprentice?

Caroles Monday

Author: Kate Cochrane

Title: Yours for the Season

Series: Puck Struck #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance, LGBT

Format: ebook

Pages: 352

Expected publication October 28, 2025

Where I got It: My shelf (Given to me for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

Making the yuletide gay

JT Cox never quite fit into Hart’s Landing. Playing on the boys’ hockey team and coming out young didn’t help. Now, thanks to an Olympic gold medal, JT’s name is on a sign greeting visitors to her hometown. Her family of artists and creatives still treat her as an odd duck, but elsewhere there’s a warm welcome. Especially from her best friend’s older sister, newly divorced Ali Porter.

Single for the first time since high school, Ali is ready to take the reins of her own life. She’s never had the chance to date another woman, and JT is an irresistible force of nature. When they team up for the town’s holiday contest, cocoa tasting and gingerbread decorating give way to snow-melting chemistry.

If teenage JT thought Ali was the prettiest girl on the planet, adult JT is completely smitten. But JT can’t see herself living in Hart’s Landing again and Ali can’t imagine leaving her job and her newly purchased home. And with Ali’s mom trying to plot a reconciliation with her ex, this holiday season might be bittersweet…or the start of something magical.

Review:

I meant to wait a bit before reading this, but I needed some holiday joy. 

Here we follow Ali and JT. The two have known each other for years. Ali is JT's best friend's older sister. Ali is finally free of her stuck-in High School husband and is ready to move on. JT never quite fit in and always felt like the odd duck out. This has all changed and everyone wants a piece of JT after she won an Olympic gold medal. When they team up to take on the holiday contest, they realize there is a strong chemistry between them. However, JT doesn't ever want to move back to Hart's Landing and Ali can't imagine leaving her job. 

This is technically book 2 of the series, but it did well as a standalone. The first book was about another couple. I totally forgot I wanted to read book 1 first...oh well. This was fine. 

The two had a lot of family stuff to deal with and I felt so bad for them. Screw both of their families (minus Ali's brother). Honestly, I think they both needed therapy because a lot of the hurdles they face were internal. But they were an adorable couple and I adored them soooo much. They deserved all the love!

Don't even get me started on KYLE. >_> Ugh. Such a stereotypical jerk. 

Awwww this made me miss Christmas!!!! I want some hot chocolate now!

I did enjoy this overall, but I did feel that some of the side characters seemed so 2D and in some case pretty stereotypical. 

All-in-all, this was a very sweet romance between two gals who deserved all the love in the world. I loved that couple!!! The side characters needed some fleshing out since they felt so 2D to me. This was adorable and a nice Christmas read. 4 stars from me. 

 

Favorite Character(s): Ali and JT

Least Favorite Character(s): KYLE!

Visa citerad text

Great big beautiful life by Emily Henry

Format: 416 pages, Paperback

Published: April 23, 2025 by Penguin Australia

Fiction

Library

Seriously, what do people categorize this one as? Because it certainly is not a romance. Yes there is romance, but is more romantic fiction  if that even. I enjoyed it, but this is my second Henry book and neither has been romance, and still...oh I do not know.

This is a book about two journalist competing about who can write the tell it all book about a famous socialite. And see that is the story, Margarets story. She tells about her family, and her life. Alice is a side character who gets to listen, and when she is not listening she runs into Hayden and sparks does fly in the end. Byt yes to me this is truly The Ives family story.

Romance, well I would say there is as much romance between these two as there are between others in the book. Margaret does tell about a lot of people.

The book was good, I really enjoyed learning the Ives tragic story. Did I agree with some choices they made, no, but that was life.

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication.

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.

Audio: Assistant to the villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

By: Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Narrated by: Em Eldridge

Series: Assistant to the Villain, Book 1

Length: 13 hrs and 54 mins

Release date: 08-29-23 by Tantor Audio

Fantasy/ received from publisher

Wait,  this was first a viral tiktok thing? I really need to check that out.

This one was funny, and this villain is more like grumpy meets sunshine. I know he is supposed to be evil, but aww, he just awww. And then he kills someone, but aww.

Evie takes care of her sick dad and her little sister. And she needs money so an accident makes her meet the dreaded villain. But he is hot, and she needs a job. She becomes his assistant.

There are other people to at his Evil castle. The dragonkeeper, a healer who loves pink, someone in the office that she butts heads with and she will meet more. She is sunshine and happiness, and clumsiness. She also speaks faster than she thinks.

And the villain just can not say no to her.

But something evil is afoot, and it is not the villain.

Great narration. She kept a good pace and brought everyone to life.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer—naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain—and his entire nefarious empire—out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.