July 2022 Book Reviews

This book hit me in all the feels. Unlikely Match crafted by Laura Bradbury is the tale of two people who could not be more different on paper having life throw them together as their companies work in the same collaborative space.  Jules and Tom's relationship is one of slow burn romance with lively banter. I adore that she's quirky and loves color; it's precious that he wears the same thing to work every day because it's practical. 

There's so much I want to say but can't without giving too much of the story away so I will say this: Top Ten Book for sure. And pierogis. Lots of them! Read it, you will not be disappointed!

This book is available for on Kindle Unlimited and for sale on Amazon too!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy for my honest opinion.

Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee follows Lizzy, an attorney who is on the brink of burn out, as she takes three weeks off of work and head's to the town she grew up in giving her the chance to spend time with her best friend, Jack.  While in town, Jack is faced with the feelings he has always felt for Lizzy. Does he risk their friendship by telling her or keep everything wrapped up - he can survive for three weeks right?  While on her sabbatical, Lizzy meets the owner of the bookstore below the rental she is staying at.  She offers her help to freshen up the store and ropes Jack into helping too.

Overall concept of this book is cute; who doesn't love a book written about bookstores?! One of the best parts of this book was the transformation that took place in the small town bookstore.  Overall I felt like Jack's view of his place in his family was negative and on the whiny side. I also felt like the story was missing the history of the friendship between Jack and Lizzy and their chemistry was a little dry and awkward at times. I did find myself skimming sections to move the story along.

One of my least favorite things happened - the "let's not talk about this thing even thought it's a big thing" trope. I admit that the outcome of the unspoken was necessary to the story line, it simple frustrates this reader. 😂 

I wanted to like this book more than I did. It fell a bit short of the mark for me, but perhaps you'd like to give it a go if you enjoy:

• Romance books with a side of spice
• Childhood friends to lovers
• Korean-American characters
• Main characters find their true passions
• Transformations of spaces
• Third person POV

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy for my honest opinion.

June 2022 Book Reviews

 

It's June and I have officially lost track of how many books I have read.  Yes I could go back and count.  Yes, I know that.  However, I don't want to make the time to do it. 😂 Maybe I'll have it together for next month.

May 2022 Book Reviews

 

April 2022 Book Reviews

This month's reads include everything from what I am predicting with be in my Top 5 Romance category to one that I would recommend one to my grandmother. 😂 

February 2022 Book Review

 

The Most Unexpected Book This Month.

What I thought I was getting in requesting this How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder was a cutesy, fluffy, rom-com.  What I needed up getting was a journey that took me all across the map of emotions.  I fell in love with Grey, Ethan and their story. I rooted for them getting caught up in their romance, I felt anguish for them as things fell apart and ultimately held my breath waiting to see how all the things would align to bring these two characters back together.  How to Fake It in Hollywood was magnificently written to showcase not just a relationship between two famous people trying to rejuvenate their careers but to highlight the insecurities, strengths and challenges that they overcome to love themselves and others.

Grey and Ethan are brought together by their mutual publisict under the guise of fake dating to rejuvenate their careers.  At their first meeting, sparks fly and they sign up for a 6 month commitment.  What ensues is the story of their foray into taking their relationship public, the struggle of past ghosts that haunt them and the journey of making their way back to each other.

Publication Date: June 14, 2022, Pre-order Now!
Rated R: sexual content, language, minor character identifying as non-binary.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House/Ballentine for the ARC.

The Book That Made Me Cry and Want to Immediately Reread It.

Have you ever experienced a book that you read it and when you finish it your heart is full and even though you know how it ends you want to re-read it again because you just adored the characters and their story?  Well, that exact feeling is that By Any Other Name gives. 😂 

We are introduced to Lanie, a romance editor who loves her job and her fiancé who met every single one of her nintey-nine items, her list for a perfect partner.  This list was complied after reading her first Noa Calloway novel.  And in Lanie's world, once a Noa Calloway fan, always a Noa Calloway fan! Lanie's editing position is with the publishing house that discovered and works exclusively with Noa Calloway.  Unfortunately for Lanie, Noa Calloway is behind on delivering her newest novel and the deadline is looming.  Through a turn of events, Lanie is tasked with the important job of pulling the next great piece of romantic literature from the mind and heart of Noa Calloway.  If she does this, she will keep the promotion she's always dreamed of!  

If you love...

... New York, this book is for you!

... adorable date-like situations that just make your heart squeeze from the preciousness of it all, this book is for you.

... seeing characters develop into their own and find someone who brings out the best in them, this book is for you.

... an ending that might could possibly bring tears to your eyes in while you're in the bathtub wanting to savor every word {not that I would know from experience 😂}, this book is for you.

Publication Date: March 1, 2022, Pre-order Now!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group, Putnam

January 2022 Book Review

For January I saw that Molly's Reading Adventure was encouraging a NetGalley Read-a-thon to catch up and clear out the back log of advanced reader copies sitting in the Kindle.  Since I had quite a few, I decided to join in!  

Friday Favorites: 1.7.2022

The first week of 2022 is coming to a close.  Fifty one weeks remain and out of that 352 days until Christmas! 😂

Hello 2022!

A poem for the New Year:

Twenty twenty two coming through!

May we conquer the things we want to do, be faithful to God and love big too.

May our days be guided by His hand as we pray for our family, our friends and our land.

Let's get it done, let's have some fun and celebrate at year's end when it's all done!

2021, You Were Fun But Now You're Done.

Twenty twenty one, you sure were fun.

We made memories that I'll cherish dear.  

You afforded me time with loved ones far and near.

We took adventures - some by plane, some by car.

Some miles away and some not far {from our couch}. 😂

The days held Legos, drawing, playing, laughter, tears, encouragement, reading, fort building, battling of fears.

We held onto what we know to be true: God's amazing Word and His unending love for me and you.

Wrapping up the latest three sixty five, I find myself grateful to be in this time, to be alive. 💙

2021 One Second from Sara Cozad on Vimeo.