This meme is hosted by Steph at A little but a lot. The weekly prompts for 2019 can be found here.
This week’s prompt is Books I Want to But for Christmas Gifts, but I don’t want to spoil it in case anyone on my gift list sees this, so I’m doing Books I’ve Bought for Gifts in the past. Here’s my list:
Title: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue Author: V.E. Schwab Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance Publisher: Tor Books Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Ebook Release Date: October 6, 2020 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget.
France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.
Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.
But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.
Review:
In France in 1714, Addie LaRue made a deal with the god, Luc. She will live forever, but she will be forgotten by everyone she meets. Addie quickly realizes that this curse will be difficult to live with. She cannot create anything or leave her mark anywhere. She must steal to survive. Everything changes in 2014 when she walks into a bookstore in New York. She meets Henry, who remembers her when she returns the next day. With Henry’s help, Addie can leave her mark on the world.
Any review cannot do this book justice. It was so beautiful from beginning to end. I read this book slowly, over a couple of weeks, because I didn’t want to rush through it. I needed to savour the beautiful prose and the heartbreaking story of Addie LaRue.
Addie’s life was heartbreaking from the beginning. There were many instances of people forgetting her over the course of 300 years. Some of her close friends who knew her from before her curse didn’t recognize her after she made her deal. I kept hoping that someone would remember her after they had left, and eventually she found Henry, who remembered.
The time period jumped between chapters. I sometimes find that kind of jump in narrative disorienting because the setting is constantly changing. However, the alternating time periods in this story made sense to the story. Each chapter answered questions or demonstrated the meaning of an event from the previous chapter.
Addie’s story was so moving and heartbreaking, but also filled with love. This is one of my favourite reads of 2020!
Thank you Tor Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What to read next:
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Have you read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue? What did you think of it?
Title: Booked for Christmas: A Short Story Author: Lily Menon Genre: Romance, Short Story Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin Source: Purchased Format: Ebook Release Date: October 13, 2020 Rating: ★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
This new novella from Lily Menon, author of Make Up Break Up, is sure to get readers in the holiday spirit.
Novelist Sophia Hart (real name: Sophie Bartholomew-Kaur-Hughes, but try fitting that on a book cover) absolutely hates her loudest critic—Evan Wolfe, evil mastermind behind the Lone Wolfe book review column. They’ve never met, but Wolfe’s favorite pastime seems to be dumping on Sophie’s unapologetically happy, magical romances. Sophie, not one to be left behind, gets her revenge in her own ways (never annoy a writer in search of a villain).
When Sophie decides to throw a holiday party at her cabin, Wolfe is the last person on her mind. But the universe has a twisted sense of humor. Not only does Wolfe show up as someone’s plus one, but a massive snowstorm blows in, stranding them both alone together in Sophie’s cabin.
Over the next few days, Sophie begins to realize that Wolfe isn’t as odiously cynical a man as she’d originally thought. In fact, he’s kind of…sweet. And impossibly hot. But still, Sophie’s been hurt before and she has so much to lose. What she needs is one sure sign that she and Wolfe are meant to be together. Will Sophie and Wolfe get their Christmas miracle?
Review:
Sophie Hart is a romance novelist. Her archenemy is Evan Wolfe, a book critic who always tears her books apart in his reviews. They’ve never met, but Sophie has saved every one of his reviews of her books. Sophie throws a holiday party for her friends. She’s surprised to open the door and see Evan standing there. His friend invited him to the party, and he didn’t know she would be there. When a huge snowstorm is announced, her other guests leave just in time, but Evan gets stuck there. Sophie reluctantly invites Evan to stay, and she realizes he isn’t as bad as she thought. She may get the happily ever after this Christmas that she’s given to all her characters.
This is a fun “hate to love” story. Enemies to lovers is one of my favourite romance tropes. I could relate to both Evan and Sophie, because I’m a writer and a reviewer. I know how heartbreaking it can be to have my writing criticized, but I also know it’s important to give honest reviews. They had a lot of strong emotions, that were easily flipped from hate to love.
The only thing I would change in this story is I would love to see it as a longer novel. I felt like the romance was rushed to fit into the short story format. I loved seeing Sophie and Evan together, so I wish I could have spent more time with the characters. Sophie’s friends were also interesting characters that I would have liked to see more of. I hope these characters will appear in future romance novels.
This is a cute, short holiday romance!
What to read next:
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert
Have you read Booked for Christmas? What did you think of it?
This is a weekly meme hosted by Wandering Words, where you give the first few lines of a book to hook your readers before introducing the book.
Here are my first lines:
“I placed my thumb and forefinger on the icy flesh, spreading it taut above the breastbone as Uncle had showed me.”
Do you recognize these first lines?
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And the book is… Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper #1) by Kerri Maniscalco.
Goodreads synopsis:
Presented by James Patterson’s new children’s imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion…
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord’s daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.
Against her stern father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.
The story’s shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.
Have you read Stalking Jack the Ripper? What did you think of it?
Title: Christmas at the Second Chance Chocolate Shop (Rabbits Leap #3) Author: Kellie Hailes Genre: Romance Publisher: HQ Digital Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Ebook Release Date: November 5, 2017 Rating: ★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
’Tis the season for second chances…
Serena Hunter loves her new life in the sleepy Devonshire countryside! It’s a world away from her crazy past as the wife of American bad boy rock star, Ritchie Dangerfield.
Now she spends her days making delicious chocolate using milk from the local dairy and she finally feels that everything is back on track. That is, until her handsome ex-husband arrives in the village to win her back…
Away from the limelight, Serena gets to know Ritchie all over again and realises that maybe a second chance at love is the Christmas miracle she’d been dreaming of all along?
A perfectly festive read to curl up with this Christmas. Perfect for fans of Caroline Roberts, Cathy Bramley and Heidi Swain.
Review:
Serena Hunter has left her rockstar husband in Malibu and returned to her hometown of Rabbit’s Leap in England. She’s set up a chocolate shop, which she is proud to call her own. However, her husband, Richie, tracks her down and shows up at her door. She’s ready to celebrate Christmas at home with her parents for the first time in years, but now these plans have to change. His sudden appearance throws her off and she has to figure out if he will fit into her new life.
This was a unique holiday romance. I can’t think of any others that I’ve read where a couple has broken up and the husband tries to reconcile throughout the book. Serena and Richie’s relationship was a little awkward, because she was adamant about not being with him anymore, yet he didn’t know why she left.
I didn’t connect with the characters in this story. They all seemed to make decisions without a reason behind them, and then insist on sticking with it. For example, Serena was set on staying away from Richie, and her mom didn’t approve of Serena’s new business, even though she was glad to have her back home. I found their feelings a little confusing, so I couldn’t connect with the characters.
Even though I had some issues with this story, it definitely left me craving chocolate!
Thank you HQ Digital for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What to read next:
The Little Unicorn Gift Shop by Kellie Hailes
Other books in the series:
The Cosy Coffee Shop of Promises
The Big Little Festival
The Little Unicorn Gift Shop
The Little Bookshop at Herring Cove
The Little Bakery of Hopes and Dreams
Have you read Christmas at the Second Chance Chocolate Shop? What did you think of it?
TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.
My pick this week is The Silence of Bones by June Hur.
Goodreads Synopsis:
I have a mouth, but I mustn’t speak; Ears, but I mustn’t hear; Eyes, but I mustn’t see.
1800, Joseon (Korea). Homesick and orphaned sixteen-year-old Seol is living out the ancient curse: “May you live in interesting times.” Indentured to the police bureau, she’s been tasked with assisting a well-respected young inspector with the investigation into the politically charged murder of a noblewoman.
As they delve deeper into the dead woman’s secrets, Seol forms an unlikely bond of friendship with the inspector. But her loyalty is tested when he becomes the prime suspect, and Seol may be the only one capable of discovering what truly happened on the night of the murder.
But in a land where silence and obedience are valued above all else, curiosity can be deadly.
June Hur’s elegant and haunting debut The Silence of Bones is a bloody tale perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco and Renée Ahdieh.
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
Title: Alex and Eliza (Alex and Eliza #1) Author: Melissa de la Cruz Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers Source: Purchased Format: Hardcover Release Date: April 11, 2017 Rating: ★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Their romance shaped a nation. The rest was history.
1777. Albany, New York.
As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.
Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.
Review:
Eliza Schuyler is descended from one of the most important families of the American revolution. Her and her sisters are some of the most eligible young ladies at their family’s grand ball. However, when her father receives bad news, Eliza and her sisters are placed in a dire situation. Alexander Hamilton is the mysterious assistant to George Washington. Eliza is excited to meet him at the ball, but after Alex delivers the bad news to her father, she never wants to see him again. A misunderstood note leads Alex to Eliza, and begins their famous love story.
I don’t know much about Alexander Hamilton or his wife Eliza, so I was excited to read this story to learn more about them. This was an adorable love story. It was had an “enemies to lovers” type of romance, since Eliza didn’t like Alex after finding out that he delivered the bad news to her father but then eventually fell for him. That’s one of my favourite romance tropes.
Though this was a historical story, the historical descriptions weren’t heavy. The writing style emulated that time period, but was easy to read for a modern audience. Alex and Eliza were in the midst of the Revolutionary War, but that didn’t overpower their story. It was an important part of their lives, but they were able to explore their romance as well.
This was a beautiful historical romance!
What to read next:
Love and War by Melissa de la Cruz
Jo and Laurie by Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz
Other books in the series:
Love and War
All for One
Have you read Alex and Eliza? What did you think of it?
This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.
The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is You Have a Match by Emma Lord. The expected publication date is January 12, 2021.
Goodreads Synopsis:
From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord’s You Have a Match, a YA novel of family, friendship, romance and sisterhood…
When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.
But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.
When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.
The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby’s growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.
But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.
Title: An Alaskan Christmas (Wild River #1) Author: Jennifer Snow Genre: Romance Publisher: Harlequin Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Ebook Release Date: September 24, 2019 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
In Alaska, it’s always a white Christmas—but the sparks flying between two reunited friends could turn it red-hot…
If there’s one gift Erika Sheraton does not want for Christmas, it’s a vacation. Ordered to take time off, the workaholic surgeon reluctantly trades in her scrubs for a ski suit and heads to Wild River, Alaska. Her friend Cassie owns a tour company that offers adventures to fit every visitor. But nothing compares to the adrenaline rush Erika feels on being reunited with Cassie’s brother, Reed Reynolds.
Gone is the buttoned-up girl Reed remembers. His sister’s best friend has blossomed into a strong, skilled, confident woman. She’s exactly what his search-and-rescue team needs—and everything he didn’t know he craved. The gulf between his life in Wild River and her big-city career is wide. But it’s no match for a desire powerful enough to melt two stubborn hearts…
Review:
Erika Sheraton is a head surgeon who has never had a vacation. After some complaints at work, she’s sent on a two week vacation. She goes back to her hometown of Wild River to see her childhood best friend, Cassie. Cassie’s brother, Reed Reynolds, works as part of the search and rescue team for the mountains around Wild River. He’s surprised to see Erika has grown into a beautiful woman, but she seems like too much of a snob for him. Eventually they have to give in to the chemistry between them, but they have to wonder what will happen when Erika’s vacation ends.
Before reading this book, I didn’t know anything about search and rescue operations in Alaska. I’ve never been interested in outdoor sports and I’ve never been skiing before. I loved the intensity that this added to the story. There were some serious life and death situations that were scary to read about and imagine. I learned a lot from this story.
The romance was steamy right from the beginning. It started soon after the main characters met, so there wasn’t any waiting for the romance. The stakes were high for Erika and Reed, because they had issues with their parents that they were working through as well. I loved the romance between Erika and Reed.
This is a steamy holiday romance!
Thank you Harlequin for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What to read next:
Under an Alaskan Sky (Wild River #2) by Jennifer Snow
A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan
Other books in the series:
Under an Alaskan Sky
A Sweet Alaskan Fall
Have you read An Alaskan Christmas? What did you think of it?
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