The teller of small fortunes by Julie Leong

Format: 352 pages, Paperback

Published: October 16, 2025 by Hodderscape

Cozy fantasy/own

Awww, another cute one. I do admit, at first I was a little hesitant, cozy fantasy is just so sweet, and slow. Is this for me? But then I was swept away by this pleasant story. Easy to read, fast to read.

Tao travels around in her wagon telling small fortunes. Those are easier for people to handle. The big ones, yeah people are not good with those. She also moves on fast as people have a tendency to want one thing and when it does happen, kind of scary.

She meets a thief and a mercenary that is tracking bandits who stole the mercenary´s child. Then she also comes across a baker who wants to see more of the world, and maybe try new things. A cat shows up and suddenly they do need more wagons. They travel to villages, selling fortunes, baked goods, searching for a missing daughter.

There is some danger, two countries heading into war, and she is originally from the other one. And why is she travelling alone?

But this is a cozy fantasy, only good things happen. And things work out as this is one book. No cliffhangers. I enjoyed it a great deal.

Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells "small" whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences…

Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a knead for adventure, and—of course—a slightly magical cat.

Tao sets down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past are closing in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.

Audio: Summer with my Cowboy

Author Linda Lael Miller, Maisey Yates

Narrated by Renee Dorian

Publication date Apr 28, 2026

Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher: Tantor Media

Categories: Romance /to review

These were two sweet short cowboy romances.

First we have Kendra and Gabe. Kendra left a horrible marriage to start fresh. Gabe is a widower. They meet, there is attraction. But she does not want another failed marriage.

There is some tiny drama with someone from her past, but mostly it is these two getting to know each other and her daring to try things again.

Sweet short novella.

Then there is Jane and Spencer. Two foster kids who met a camp, fell in love and lost touch. Now Jane is back to be a counsellor as her life is stuck. Spencer is also one, and he has a ranch now.

He never forgot her. She does not really know what she want. They reconnect, find out what is important in life and get their hea.

Short and sweet too

Good narration. She handled the different stories well.

COWBOY WANTED by Linda Lael A painful divorce has brought Kendra Spencer home from Seattle to sunny Copper Ridge, Arizona. Despite a comfortable settlement, Kendra needs to keep busy—and keep herself from stalking her ex on social media. So she starts waitressing at the local diner, finding comfort in the regulars and her thankfully ordinary days. . . . Until far from ordinary newcomer Gage Elder walks in. Not only is he a champion bronc rider, turns out he's a widower—and maybe the one man understanding enough, kind enough—not to mention charming enough—to inspire Kendra to put the past behind her, and open her heart once more . . .

ONE MORE SUMMER WITH YOU by Maisey Between a fiancé with cold feet and a blocked promotion at the law firm where she works, it's as good a time as any for Jane Cahill to help out at the Oregon camp where she spent her summers as a troubled teen. But the place brings up a mix of memories, mostly about Spencer Quinn, who has also returned to volunteer. Now a ranch owner, Spencer was Jane's romance of three summers—plus one unforgettable night. In fact, neither has ever forgotten the other. And though fears about the future led Jane to break away, that future has arrived—and maybe this summer will be the one to last a lifetime . . .

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating,

4/28/2026 What is your favorite sports team?

Nope, nope, sport is boring. Especially team sports,. Sorry 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

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Carole´s Monday: Marriage by Arrangement

 

Author: Sophia Singh Sasson

Narrator: Sharmila Devar
Title: Marriage by Arrangement

Series: (Nights at the Mahal, Book 1)

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published:  August 1, 2020
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

When a business proposal turns

very personal…

Rule #1: Don’t fall for the client.

Because he’ll rock your world…

Architect Rani Gupta will never let a man compromise her career or freedom again. Which is a problem now that her newest client is irresistible hotelier Arjun Singh—aka the sexiest bachelor in India. A little fling with this gorgeous man would be scandal enough. But a fake engagement might just be more trouble than they bargained for—especially if Arjun has a prior arrangement!

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this while looking for something else. Yayyyyy! And it fits a challenge? Even better. 

Here we have Rani and Arjun. Rani is an architect, and Arjun needs a firm to help build his newest hotel. There are sparks immediately, but that can never be. Rani will never let a man and his family compromise her career or freedom EVER again. Arjun is supposed to marry a childhood friend, but neither of them wants it, and neither of them can find the courage to tell their families. Nothing can happen between them....nothing at all, but the universe has other plans. 

This was a lot of fun. I liked Rani and Arjun a lot. I loved watching them get to know each other and eventually fall into lust and then love. It was sweet. I did hate that Arjun didn't tell her of his engagement, BUT 1) Arjun and his "fiancé" made a pact they can date whomever and eventually they'll break it off or delay it for as long as they can, and 2) it was just a fling. He should've mentioned it, though, but I get why he didn't. 

I hated their families. Yes, yes, traditional values and etc, but GAH. I wanted to hit them all. They all eventually see the errors of their ways, but man, it killed me seeing Rani and Arjun treated like that. :/ I was very annoyed that there wasn't more resolution and more time for them to try and make it up to them. There needed to be more apologies and more conversation. It didn't sit well with me how quickly that was wrapped up and put to the side. 

The narration was lovely. Great voices and accents. 

All-in-all, I did like this one. It was not your A-typical boy-meets-girls and etc. It had a lot of differences and depth. Lots of twists and turns. 4 stars from me. 

 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #15

- Reading Romance Challenge #12 (Office romance)

Audio: This Kingdom will not kill me by Ilona Andrews

By: Ilona Andrews

Narrated by: Kristen Sieh

Series: Maggie the Undying, Book 1

Length: 21 hrs and 33 mins

Release date: 03-31-26

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Fantasy/own

Why did I not write this review at once! Arghhh. I am over a week late, all the feels are disappearing!

This was just awesome and I could not put it down!

Maggie has a favorite fantasy series that she has read several times, but it is unfinished and suddenly she wakes up naked and filthy in that kingdom. Like what the hell?! And she also discovers in a most unpleasant way that she can not die! And it hurts, like so much.

But she knows this world, these people. She finds money, sanctuary, and plans gets set into motion. This kingdom is heading towards disaster. Maybe she can change some things to have people survive. But she needs help. A knight to do the work she can not. Some people that needs somewhere to go. She has allies, friends.

But she gets in trouble a lot trying to make her plans work. And dying really sucks.

Ohhh and that end, wtf?! Do not end it like that, i need more. Like now.

Awsome narrating too. Perfect in audio

When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy, and naked in a gutter, it doesn't take her long to recognize Kair Toren, a city she knows intimately from the pages of the famously unfinished dark fantasy series she's been obsessively reading and re-reading while waiting years for the final novel.

Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic, and mayhem? Her encyclopedic knowledge of the plot, the setting, and the characters' ambitions and fates. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she's coming to love—a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures, and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to get home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes—and attentions—of dueling princes, dukes, and villains, all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the way she knows their stories will in a cataclysmic war.

The blacktongue thief by Christopher Buehlman

Series: Blacktongue (#1)

Format: 416 pages, Paperback

Published: May 27, 2021 by Orion Publishing

Fantasy/own

Well I am glad I read it first now cos I see it from 2020? and book 2 is coming first now! Good for me.

This felt very fantasy formula in a good way, I loved that. Kinch, a thief is told to follow a warrior, or that is convince her to let him follow. And when he does reach the city he will be told what to do.

Galva and Kinch sets out on an adventure. It is a continent ravaged by Goblins. There are rumours of giants. Galva is looking for a missing queen and Kinch is trying to stay ahead of his guild. They get another companion , and even meet a cat.

I enjoyed this. I love a good journey, friendship, lurking danger and more. Now I want the prequel too about Galva fighting in the goblin war. And book 2 as the stakes are high.

Kinch Na Shannack owes the Takers Guild a small fortune for his education as a thief, which includes (but is not limited to) lock-picking, knife-fighting, wall-scaling, fall-breaking, lie-weaving, trap-making, plus a few small magics. His debt has driven him to lie in wait by the old forest road, planning to rob the next traveler that crosses his path.

But today, Kinch Na Shannack has picked the wrong mark.

Galva is a knight, a survivor of the brutal goblin wars, and handmaiden of the goddess of death. She is searching for her queen, missing since a distant northern city fell to giants.

Unsuccessful in his robbery and lucky to escape with his life, Kinch now finds his fate entangled with Galva's. Common enemies and uncommon dangers force thief and knight on an epic journey where goblins hunger for human flesh, krakens hunt in dark waters, and honor is a luxury few can afford.

Diavola by Jennifer Thorne

Format: 336 pages, Paperback

Published: March 26, 2024 by Titan Books

Horror/borrowed

I enjoyed this one. A haunted house and a dysfunctional family.

Anna is going to Tuscany with her family. They all think she will cause some kind of disaster. They do seem to blame her for everything. They will gaslight her too.

Everything seems pretty nice at first. Sure there are some issues with her brother´s new boyfriend, and her sister can at least be calmed with wine. But doors open, there is scratching, the locals avoid the place. Is the house haunted?

Things are getting creepier. Her family is so toxic and drives me crazy. Like please stop blaming Anna for everything!!

I honestly could not put it down after a while. I had to know!

Anna has two rules for the annual Pace family destination vacations: Tread lightly and survive.

It isn’t easy when she’s the only one in the family who doesn’t quite fit in. Her twin brother, Benny, goes with the flow so much he’s practically dissolved, and her older sister, Nicole, is so used to everyone—including her blandly docile husband and two kids—falling in line that Anna often ends up in trouble for simply asking a question. Mom seizes every opportunity to question her life choices, and Dad, when not reminding everyone who paid for this vacation, just wants some peace and quiet.

The gorgeous, remote villa in tiny Monteperso seems like a perfect place to endure so much family togetherness, until things start going off the rails—the strange noises at night, the unsettling warnings from the local villagers, and the dark, violent past of the villa itself.

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating,

4/21/2026 How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

By pretending it is not and that I am not getting older? But I do appreciate presents :D I just want to take it easy, not too many people and something good to eat.

4/28/2026 What is your favorite sports team?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

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Carole´s Monday: Thornhedge by T.Kingfisher

 

Author: T.Kingfisher

Narrator: Kate Handford
Title: Thornhedge

Genre: Fantasy, Retelling, Horror, Novella
Format: Audiobook
Published:  August 15, 2023
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

There’s a princess trapped in a tower. This isn’t her story.

Meet Toadling. On the day of her birth, she was stolen from her family by the fairies, but she grew up safe and loved in the warm waters of faerieland. Once an adult though, the fae ask a favor of Toadling: return to the human world and offer a blessing of protection to a newborn child. Simple, right?

But nothing with fairies is ever simple.

Centuries later, a knight approaches a towering wall of brambles, where the thorns are as thick as your arm and as sharp as swords. He's heard there's a curse here that needs breaking, but it's a curse Toadling will do anything to uphold…

Review:

This author is fun. I love the variety!!!

Here we have a retelling that may have you questioning all the princesses...especially Sleeping Beauty. Toadling was a human, but she was stolen from birth by the fairies and raised as one of their own. However, when she became an adult, the fae asked a big favor from her. It should've been easy.....go to the human world and offer a simple blessing of protection to a new baby. Nothing is ever that easy. Centuries later, a knight shows up to break the curse, but it's a curse Toadling can't have it break. 

I really enjoyed this one. I really had no idea what was going to happen to our lil Toadling. I adored her so much. 

This is a retelling, but you don't need to know the story of Sleeping Beauty in order to know this one. It is sooooo different that you would really need to call this a retelling? It was so different. 

This felt a little...lackluster compared to other stories by this author. It wasn't bad by any means...but.....it was too soft. It lists "horror" on the list of genres, but there is zero horror of any kind. It was sweet with some sadness and a mystery. Toadling is hiding something. Honestly, I think if the author played up the baddie a bit more and made the baddie scarier, it would've made this story really come to life. It was just missing a big spark. 

The ending was nice. I would've liked to have seen a smidge more. Maybe an interaction or two between Toadling and someone else (no spoilers here). 

The narrator did a nice job. Her voice was fitting. 

All-in-all, I did have fun with this one. It just felt...flat compared to other books I've read by this author. We needed more spice. Maybe with the baddie? It was very soft....too soft at times. 3 stars from me. In the end, it was still a lovely story and I loooooooved Toadling so much. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #14

- Library Love #9

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl (#1)

Format: 466 pages, Paperback

Published: December 30, 2025 by Ace

Scifi /own

Well this was insane. Aliens come and wipe out every building and everything inside. If you were lucky enough to be outside you lived. And either stay there were there is nothing or enter the dungeon.

Carl was outside in his boxers with his ex´s cat Princess Donut. Now they are in a dungeon made to kill them and it is all televised.

And it is crazy! Goblins, monsters, Donut getting a life of her own. Other crawlers that wants to kill the rest. That place is scary and will kill you.

It was non stop craziness and fun. I do want to read more

The apocalypse will be televised!

A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.

In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth - from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds - collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground. The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe. Only a few dare venture inside. But once you're in, you can't get out. And what's worse, each level has a time limit. You have but days to find a staircase to the next level down, or it's game over.

In this game, it's not about your strength or your dexterity. It's about your followers, your views. Your clout. It's about building an audience and killing those goblins with style. You can't just survive here. You gotta survive big. You gotta fight with vigor, with excitement. You gotta make them stand up and cheer. And if you do have that "it" factor, you may just find yourself with a following. That's the only way to truly survive in this game - with the help of the loot boxes dropped upon you by the generous benefactors watching from across the galaxy. They call it Dungeon Crawler World. But for Carl, it's anything but a game.

Audio. The Shades of Pemberley

By: Jann Rowland

Narrated by: Harry Frost

Length: 17 hrs and 26 mins

Release date: 04-07-26

Publisher: Tantor Media

Categories: Literature & Fiction /to review

Do I love Pride and Prejudice variations? Obviously!

This one is different in that Mr Darcy is not the master of Pemberley. A distant relation is and he has nothing to do with those relatives then. Instead he is engaged to Lizzy but then BOOM. His relative dies and he is now the heir.

Now the problems start. Lady Catherine de Burgh is even more evil and annoying than usual and she shows up with demands. Collins is a horrible person. Wickham is a monster. Miss Bingley, well she has redeeming qualities.

Lizzy and Darcy has some drama to get through. But they have good friends and love will prevail.

I enjoyed it! I always do

I have listened to this narrator before and I do like the voices and mood that is set. A joy listening to

 Following a tragic accident, a Darcy who was never meant to inherit Pemberley finds himself thrust into a world of new responsibilities, scheming relatives, and dark, long-buried secrets. While trying to protect his love for Elizabeth Bennet, he must navigate the complex legacy of his new estate.

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating,

4/14/2026 What do you still love doing that you loved as a kid?

I think that would be reading! I loved it as a kid, I still love it. Honestly, as simple as that.

4/21/2026 How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

4/28/2026 What is your favorite sports team?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Carole´s Movie Monday: Hamnet

Title: Hamnet

Length: 2h 5m

Released: 2025

Genre: Drama, Historical
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Peacock

SUMMARY:

In late 16th-century England, Agnes, a healer sensitive to the world around her, builds a home with William, a local tutor and aspiring playwright. As their lives fracture, they are tested by distance, silence, and grief.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Eeeeeeeeeeek. Been dying to watch this film. I love some Shakespeare and I remember writing a huge paper on him and his life. Not much is known about his wife, which is sad. 

Here we follow Agnes (Anne) who is a healer and falls for William. He is younger and just a local tutor with dreams of being a playwright. Years go by and things find a nice pace....until their lives are fractured and everything is tested when their beloved son passes away. 

I cried. 

I cried A LOT. 

This film was beautiful. This film hit all the emotions. There was some humor but this was a tragedy. 

That last scene? I was in awe. Beautiful. The way that we got to see forgiveness and love without a single word. This took some powerful actors and this was a lovely cast.

You do not need to be a huge 'Hamlet' or Shakespeare fan to enjoy this film. It was a lovely people story. 

5 stars. 

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

Series: Emily Wilde (#3)

Format: 368 pages, Paperback

Published: January 14, 2025 by Hachette Australia

Academic fantasy/own

Emily and Wendell has been through a lot, and now he has found his way back to his fairie kingdom. His step mother is gone and he has to take his throne.

But things are not easy in his kingdom. Disgruntled nobles, a curse upon the land, an angry sibling and more. And Emily is a mere mortal .

Wendell is always cheerful and kind. Emily is more thoughtful, and stubborn. I do like them together.

Still, nothing compares to book 1. I was so blown away with that easy read. But now I am finished. It was a good run

Emily Wilde has spent her life studying faeries. A renowned dryadologist, she has documented hundreds of species of Folk in her Encyclopaedia of Faeries. Now she is about to embark on her most dangerous academic project studying the inner workings of a faerie realm—as its queen.

Along with her former academic rival—now fiancé—the dashing and mercurial Wendell Bambleby, Emily is immediately thrust into the deadly intrigues of Faerie as the two of them seize the throne of Wendell’s long-lost kingdom, which Emily finds a beautiful nightmare filled with scholarly treasures.

Emily has been obsessed with faerie stories her entire life, but at first she feels as ill-suited to Faerie as she did to the mortal How can an unassuming scholar such as herself pass for a queen? Yet there is little time to settle in, for Wendell’s murderous stepmother has placed a deadly curse upon the land before vanishing without a trace. It will take all of Wendell’s magic—and Emily’s knowledge of stories—to unravel the mystery before they lose everything they hold dear.

Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop

Narrated by: Jesse Vilinsky

Series: Book 1,  An Isle of Wyrd Novel

Release date: 11-11-25

Length: 17 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher: Penguin Audio

It was good, but at the same time I am kind of sad. I have relistened to The Others SO MANY times. This one, nah, I will not relisten.

It was sort of confusion in the beginning, so many people. Like what is Wyrd and these people? Maybe it would have been better to follow only Beth a bit first.

I would also like some more history. So Wyrd is there, people are getting riled up now, ok, this is modern times, pretty sure a certain country would just have invaded and bombed Wyrd by now. Has that happened before? And since people are getting angry I guess it will.

I honestly feel like I cant say much because you have to listen or read it to feel it.

It got better after some time, when all those randos had their stories told and I started to connect the dots. It is an interesting world. I like how Wyrd saves people who needs it, and punishes aholes.

Good narration

Words have power. Intentions matter.

Most people come to Destiny Park for entertainment. They come to have their cards read to tell them a bit about their future. They come to walk through a beautiful park and to eat at the hotel’s restaurant. They come in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Arcana, the paranormal beings who rule the Isle of Wyrd.

But some people come to make a bargain with the Arcana—to change their fate. And some people come for dark purposes.

When Detective Beth Fahey is sent to Destiny Park to inquire about a “ghost gun,” she will begin a strange journey on which she must learn to navigate the Arcana’s unforgiving laws and dangerous attractions. Her search will draw her into seemingly impossible cases and the secrets of her own past as tensions rise between the Arcana and their human neighbors across the river.

For the Isle of Wyrd is a place where the dead ride trains to their final destinations, predators literally become prey, and seekers’ true natures are revealed in the ripples of destiny unknowingly stirred in their wakes.

Who will live? Who will die? And who will be lost in between?

Audio: The Vampire in the Potting Shed

By: Hailey Edwards

Narrated by: Leanne Woodward

Series: Groom & Doom, Book 1

Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins

Release date: 04-07-26

Publisher: Tantor Media

Paranormal/to review

Ana is a shifter who can not shift. Her dad the alpha has over protected her her entire life. So now she runs her own dog grooming shop in another town. But her dad has sent someone to look after her. Sloane turned out to be a really good friend. So that is a nice bodyguard to have.

But then things get weird in town, there is a wounded vampire in her shed. And stuff is going down! What is she in the middle of?!

Oh that I can not say, but things took a turn! Wow. I liked Ana, she tried her best and had not been dealt an easy hand.

Some romance is probably lurking in future books, hint hint. And so many questions on what will happen.

I enjoyed it, it was a short bite.

Good narration, I liked it

There are two things Ana Sartori knows for certain. She can't shapeshift into a wolf like her father or his pack. And, despite her being a latent, little more than human, he loves her despite her faults. She's never going to be an alpha like him, but she can still hold her own in a fight. Not that her life is violent. He makes sure of that. Aside from occasionally wrestling pets into a headlock when it's time to trim their nails at Gwinnett Street Groomers, Ana leads a simple life.

At least that was the case until someone broke into her pet resort and spa, leaving a mystery dog behind in one of the bougie boarding suites. Not to mention there's a vampire hiding in the potting shed. A very tall, very handsome vampire. He even smells nice, minus the blood drenching his clothes.

Ana could handle those things, probably, but now there's a new alpha determined to claim the town—and Ana—as his territory. Either she stands and fights for her home, or she runs to her father with her (metaphorical) tail tucked between her legs. Life is a lot of things, but for Ana, simple isn't one of them anymore.

TMST

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating,

4/7/2026 Do you like spoilers? Do you read the last chapter first? Share your thoughts.

Omg, absolutely NOT. That is no fun, reading the last chapter first. Some spoilers are ok if you happen upon them by mistake. But like they all died!! Yeah, that is gonna make me not wanna read the book. 

So no thank you spoilers, no thanks to reading the last chapter first

4/14/2026 What do you still love doing that you loved as a kid?

4/21/2026 How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

4/28/2026 What is your favorite sports team?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Carole´s Monday: A match made for Thanksgiving

Author: Jackie Lau

Narrator: Khristine Rivière
Title: A Match Made for Thanksgiving

Series: Holidays with the Wongs #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella
Format: Audiobook
Published: October 8, 2019
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Advertising executive Nick Wong enjoys living in Toronto. He loves late nights partying and taking women back to his penthouse. And so it is with great reluctance that he returns to his boring hometown of Mosquito Bay for Thanksgiving.

This year, however, is even worse than usual. His interfering parents and grandparents, frustrated with the lack of weddings in the family, have invited blind dates for him and his three siblings. Nick’s brother Greg has been set up with Lily Tseng, who just so happens to be Nick’s latest one-night stand, the one he can’t get out of his mind.

Although Nick has never been interested in settling down, Lily has him reconsidering. Perhaps he’s good for more than a single night of sex, dumplings, and bubble tea after all. But first, he has to get through this painful weekend with his family and convince her that she should be with him, not Greg…

Review:

I meant to read this at Thanksgiving, but I totally forgot all about it. I then meant to save it for Thanksgiving later this year, BUT I couldn't resist. I needed a nice and spicy read for March. Weeee!

Here we follow Nick and Lily. Nick has loved his bachelor's life and doesn't plan to change now. Until he meets Lily. After a wonderful one-night stand with her, he can't get her out of his head. It's Thanksgiving, and he returns to his small hometown to his loving but interfering family. Enter his family, who set up some blind dates for him and his siblings. Lo and behold, Lily walks in, but she is set up with his brother. He will need to spend the weekend convincing her that she should be with him. 

I had a lot of fun with this one. It was cute and sweet. Love watching a womanizer and rogue finally settle down. It's always fun. 

I liked Nick and Lily. You could see the chemistry right away. I loved how different but similar they were at the same time. They are adorable. 

Nick's family was very sweet. Yes, they are a LOT to handle, but they love him, and they fall for Lily, too. So sweet.

My biggest issue was the narration at times. There were times it felt and sounded so robotic. The performance was so stiff at times. It took me out of the story a couple of times because of how stiff and robotic it was.

I really want to read the next book, but I might have to settle for either the ebook version or the physical version. The same narrator reads that one too. 

All-in-all, I did like this a lot. Loved the set-ups. Loved the characters. The spiciness was well done. My only issue was that I struggled at times with the narrator. 

I'll give this 4 stars.  

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #11

- Reading Romance Challenge #8 (Non-Christmas Holiday)

Author: Meghan Quinn

Narrator: Laurie West & Teddy Hamilton
Title: The One Night

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella
Format: Audiobook
Published: December 14, 2021
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Recently divorced Cooper Chance knows he’s officially in a rut when his parents take him barhopping in the hope of resuscitating his love life. At first, he’s skeptical. How could a gritty dive bar possibly solve his problems? But then he runs into Nora McHale.

Nora isn’t at the bar looking for love. She’s there to unwind after yet another exhausting day at her bakery. And even if she were hoping to meet someone, it sure wouldn’t be Cooper—her best friend’s ex-husband.

According to the unwritten rules of romance, Cooper and Nora are completely off limits to each other. But after a fun, flirty night at the bar, they can’t ignore the wild attraction between them.

Is this the beginning of something real, or will their passionate night together be their one and only?

Review:

I needed a Meghan Quinn book, and I picked up this little guy. I'm glad I read a review or two because this is technically a prologue to the next book. Oooo

So Cooper and Nora have known each other for years. They are completely off limits to each other. After a flirty night at a bar and a funny situation....the two realize that their is not just lust between them but something more. However, will their passionate night be their only one? 

This was fun. Cooper's parents were the stars of this little number. I love them so much. I can't wait to see what shenanigans they cause in the next book. Hilarious!!!!!!!!!

I did like Cooper and Nora. The ending was sad. Super sad. I wonder how this will all be resolved. 

The narration team was amazing. I hope they do the next book. 

But yes, adorable with an ending that really isn't an ending. It is a teaser to make you read the next book. And yes, I have it downloaded already. 

4 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #11

- Reading Romance Challenge #8 (Non-Christmas Holiday)

Audio: Holidays on the ranch by Carolyn Brown

Series: Book 1,  Burnt Boot, Texas

Release date: 03-31-26

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher: Tantor Media

Narrated by: Emily Sutton-Smith

Contemporary romance/to review

Now this was all sorts of sweetness.

Callie comes with her nephew to Finn for help. They have to hide out. Callie served with Finn and they were good friends.

So they stay at his ranch. She helps out. Sparks fly as they are both out of service. They rescue some animals and they plan for christmas. I told you it was all very sweet.

They even rescue something more, I will be vague there. But this new found family is just so kind and good.

A sweet Christmas romance about the family that you find.

Good narration, I liked her different voices for everyone. Even the parrot had hers.

Callie Brewster didn’t figure she’d ever see Finn O’Donnell again when they parted company in Afghanistan. But when her little brother witnesses a killing, everything changes. The government says they’ll put him in witness protection, but Callie doesn’t trust anyone to protect her brother—except for Finn O’Donnell.

All Finn wants for Christmas is some peace and quiet on his newly purchased ranch. But he owes Callie Brewster his life, and he always repays a debt. Now there’s a woman in the house who joined the army to get away from ranching, a boy who is scared of his shadow, and a feud going on amongst the other ranchers. Yet in the midst of all the chaos, Finn is happier and more at peace than he’s ever been before…