Review: The Things They Didn’t See

Title: The Things They Didn’t See
Author: Angela Shaeffer
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Publisher: Wander Lane Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 4, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Raised on sunny days at Lake Koda, Jill piloted a speedboat long before driving a car. Her husband and three boys share her love for boating—until a surprise storm and tragic accident change everything.

As grief settles in, Jill and her family are drifting apart. Her relationship with teenage Jake grows strained when everything she says or does seems to be wrong. Her husband, Matt, takes Jake’s side, and even her sweet youngest child doesn’t trust her judgment.

Jake is trying to be a good kid but doesn’t know where to turn when his head and heart are constantly racing, and Matt just wants peace between his wife and son. Tensions build as they bump and bang into one another. There’s too much extra space for a family of four living in a home built for five.

Emotional and ultimately hopeful, The Things They Didn’t See is the story of a family’s love for each other clouded by misunderstandings, guilt and blame as they struggle to overcome unprecedented loss and find connection again.

Review:

This was a tragic story with an uplifting ending. After losing one of their sons in a boating accident, everyone in the family had to figure out how to grieve together. For most of the book I didn’t think the family would ever recover. The story also dealt with teenage rebellion and self harm. It was a heavy read, but it had a positive ending.

The Things They Didn’t See is a tragic family story. 

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign. 

Content warnings: death of child, boating accident, self-harm, attempted suicide

Have you read The Things They Didn’t See? What did you think of it?

Review: Vampire Jam Sandwich

Title: Vampire Jam Sandwich
Author: Casey Lyall, Nici Gregory
Genre: Picture Book
Publisher: Tundra Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Once upon a time a vampire took a bite of a jam sandwich . . . and a legend was born. Now the vampire jam sandwich roams the streets, looking for MORE JAM. Will yours be next?A hilarious spooky picture book featuring a sneaky vampire, for fans of Creepy Carrots and How to Make Friends With a Ghost.You may not have heard of the Vampire Jam Sandwich. But it’s time you learned the truth.Once upon a time, a vampire (maybe his name is Terrence) took a bite of a jam sandwich (maybe he thought the jam was . . . something else).And you know what happens when a vampire bites you . . .That’s right. The jam sandwich has become . . . A VAMPIRE JAM SANDWICH. Terrifying, stalking the streets at night, sneaking into people’s homes in an endless search for MORE JAM.The only thing you can do to protect yourself is box up all your jam and put it outside your home with NO VAMPIRE JAM SANDWICH written on it (here, I’ll show you how to spell T-E-R-R-E-N-C-E).Kids and adults alike will be delighted by this sly jam-loving vampire and his jam sandwich legend, with hilarious tongue-in-cheek art from Nici Gregory. Can you trust your narrator? Is the Vampire Jam Sandwich real? Is your jam safe? Read on to find out . . .

Review:

This picture book is about a jam sandwich that was turned into a vampire jam sandwich after being bitten by a vampire. The narrator is a young boy who tells how to prevent a vampire from stealing the jam to make a sandwich. There was a cute twist at the end that I won’t spoil here. This is a fun picture book, but I hope it doesn’t make kids scared of eating jam!

Vampire Jam Sandwich is a cute picture book!

Thank you Tundra Books for providing a copy of this book!

Have you read Vampire Jam Sandwich? What did you think of it?

Review: Bygones Be Damned

Title: Bygones Be Damned
Author: Jules Parker
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Facing years in prison, Marcelina Page leaves her fate in the hands of her sexy, tough-as-nails lawyer, Walker Bishop. But she’s holding back a secret past that may ruin her chances in court…and her chances with Walker. When an opportunity to guarantee her freedom arises, she fears there is no choice but to enter the very world of organized crime she has tried so hard to avoid.

Walker is used to dealing with difficult clients, but never one that threatens to penetrate his heart the way Marcelina does. Her forbidden mouth captures the unwanted attention of his criminal enemies as well, prompting a deal from the DEA that could work in everyone’s favor…if not for his own selfish desire to keep Marcelina for himself.

Review:

This was an intense and steamy crime novel! There was a lot of tension between Marcelina and her lawyer Walker. Since he was her lawyer, they couldn’t be together as a couple, even though they both wanted to be together. There were a few different subplots with different crime bosses, but everything tied together in the end. This story kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time!

Bygones Be Damned is a great crime novel!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, murder, gun violence, knife violence, kidnapping

Have you read Bygones Be Damned? What did you think of it?

Review: Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree

Title: Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree
Author: Daniel E. Chambrello
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Publisher: The boy. The dragon. & the cherry tree swing. A Publishing Company.
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 20, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

In the deepest dark, there is only light.

With each new generation, precious souls are called upon to serve a higher purpose. But each calling is forged in challenge and fear, and every journey hinges upon the choices made.

In present-day North Carolina, Gabriel is devoted to his wife, Jennifer, and their five rambunctious kids… until the day tragedy strikes the Connor household, setting in motion a chai of events that will transform humanity.

In ancient Rome, young Gabrielus leaves his humble village to become a protector of the emperor. He dreams of bringing glory and wealth to his family and returning a hero to his love, Jennamine. But the path ahead is steeped in grief and vengeance, and Gabrielus will be forced to make a choice that echoes through the ages.

One soul. Infinite journeys. A universe of possibilities.

In Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree, Daniel E. Chambrello crafts a guidebook for the human condition via a profound story of enduring love. Compelling perspectives of time, purpose, and mysticism reveal unique and life-changing truths for every reader

Review:

This was an emotional read about fate. It followed two timelines, one in present day North Carolina, and the other in Ancient Rome. The same members of a family were reincarnated throughout time. In the present day they had to deal with the deal with the tragic deaths of three family members. Each member of the family dealt with their grief in a different way, which shows how different people can be, even within a family. The family was deeply religious, and found comfort in their religion during that tough time. 

Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree is an emotional and religious story. 

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: car accident, death, child death (off page), death of parent, kidnapping

Have you read Beyond the Light of the Willow Tree? What did you think of it?

Review: Two Thoughts: A Timeless Collection of Infinite Wisdom

Title: Two Thoughts: A Timeless Collection of Infinite Wisdom
Author: Jim O’Shaughnessy, Vastal Kaushik
Genre: Nonfiction
Publisher: Infinite Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 27, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A quote book for thinkers, creators, and the endlessly curious, Two Thoughts is a curated collection of 500 timeless reflections from 250 of the world’s most iconic minds. From Rosa Parks to Fyodor Dostoevsky, Georgia O’Keeffe to Babe Ruth, these pages offer short, powerful insights to spark new ideas, challenge old beliefs, and re-center your day.

Whether you’re a writer seeking inspiration, a leader refining your vision, or someone looking for a thoughtful start to your morning, this book is designed for everyday reflection. Open to any page and discover a catalyst for your thoughts, your goals, or your growth.

What’s 500 powerful quotes and reflectionsInsights drawn from 250 legendary thinkersDesigned for daily use, journaling prompts, or moments of pauseClean, minimalist layout with subtle, artful illustrationsPerfect Graduation, teacher, and leadership giftsDaily reading, meditation, and mindset ritualsFans of The Daily Stoic, 101 Essays, or Tools of Titans–

Praise for Two Thoughts

“Everybody should have a copy of Two Thoughts.”
—Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money and Same As Ever

“Two Thoughts provides perfect, bite-sized snippets that end up creating a very long reading list by the end! It’s a perfect curiosity tool.“
—Kyla Scanlon, author of In This Economy? 

“Two Thoughts is ideal inspiration because you’ll yearn for more, then supply it yourself.”
—Derek Sivers, author of Hell Yeah or No and Anything You Want

In a distracted world, reflection is a power move. Add Two Thoughts to your routine, your reading list, or your gift stack today.

Review:

This book is a collection of thought-provoking quotes. Some were familiar but most of them were new to me. I started to make note of the ones that resonated with me, but I quickly realized that most of them did. Here are a few of my favourites:

“Wherever they burn books they will also, in the end, burn human beings.” – Heinrich Heinrich

“An investor who has all the answers doesn’t even understand the questions.” – Sir John Templeton

“Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true.” – Francis Bacon

I didn’t agree with all the quotes in the book, but they did make me think. Some of them are probably misquoted, and those ones were labeled as such. 

Two Thoughts is a great, thought-provoking book!

Thank you Infinite Books for providing a copy of this book for a paid campaign!

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Have you read Two Thoughts? What did you think of it?

Review: Cadence (Lyrical Interludes #3)

Title: Cadence (Lyrical Interludes #3)
Author: Claire Davon
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 28, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

From a young age, aspiring musician Jessica Baker has made it a point to never rely on anyone other than herself. After all, in her experience, people, along with success, are both fleeting. However, when Kai Halara joins her tour, all of her preconceived notions are demolished.

Kai is a failure in the eyes of his industry. Intending to use Jessica’s tour as a distraction while he determines his next move, he’s soon at war with himself. His mind tells him to stay away, but his heart—and body—demand the opposite.

Can their happiness survive when misunderstandings collide with electric attraction, and past drama resurges to threaten to destroy all they have created?

Review:

This was a steamy, fast-paced romance! It’s part of a series, but I read it as a standalone and I didn’t have any problems. It’s a short book so it didn’t take me long to read. I felt like the ending was kind of rushed though. The way the romance ended didn’t feel realistic to me. 

Cadence is a great music-themed romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: alcoholism

Other books in the series:

  • Reprise (Lyrical Interludes #1)
  • Overture (Lyrical Interludes #2)

Have you read Cadence? What did you think of it?

Review: The Price of Truth

Title: The Price of Truth
Author: Michele Clarizio
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Romance
Publisher: Ciao Bella Publishing
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 15, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Karis Russo is no stranger to pain. Still reeling from her father’s death, she’s weighted down by grief she can’t seem to outrun. But nothing prepares her for the night that upends her life once again.

After attending the grand opening of The Aragon Luxury Resort and Spa, Karis wakes up bloody and bruised with no memory of what happened. Determined to find the truth, she embarks on a relentless quest for answers.

Her investigation takes a surprising turn when she learns Mason Whitman, practically Duncan High “royalty”, has harbored a crush on her for years. His charm and their undeniable chemistry throw her into a tailspin. Caught between piecing together the night she lost and embracing the possibility of love she never saw coming, Karis convinces herself she can juggle both worlds.

But the deeper she digs into the mystery of that fateful night, the darker the truth becomes. As shocking betrayals surface and long-buried secrets claw their way to the light, Karis realizes the price of truth may cost more than she’s willing to pay.

Review:

This was a fast-paced and suspenseful YA story! There was a mystery around what happened with Karis one night when she was assaulted because she had lost her memory. She had to learn what happened to her along with the reader. The story was quite intense at the end, with a lot of twists. I really enjoyed this book!

The Price of Truth is a fast-paced YA book!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book for a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death of parent (off page), suicide (off page), sexual assault, animal death

Have you read The Price of Truth? What did you think of it?