authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Title: We Three Kings Author: Kristen Bailey Series: n/a Much thanks to Kristen Bailey, Dreamscape Select, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a wonderful, heartwarming Christmas novel. I adored Maggie and her IT kings. Maggie was sweet and kind and open-minded, but not meek or a pushover. Just a good person. A great lead character. Some might say she shouldn’t be in lead positions if she …
Title: The Whispering Night Author: Susan Dennard Series: Luminaries #3 MUCH thanks to Susan Dennard, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. Love love love love LOVE this trilogy! I relistened to the first two before venturing into this one and it was no hardship. I like them more every time. I adore down-to-earth bespeckled Winnie and her strong arc, I love Darian and Andrew and Mom …
Author Maddox Grey has very graciously allowed me to listen to free eaudio copies for her entire series (to date) in exchange for honest reviews. I will continue to add reviews to this post as I make my way through the series. #0.5 Title: A Shift in Darkness I had a hard time keeping my attention on this prequel. I was driving and my adderall had worn off, but I’ve paid attention to other audiobooks just fine under the same …
Title: The Death King Author: Penelope Barsetti Series: Death series #1 Thank you to Penelope Barsetti, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. To give a clearer warning than the one at the end of the blurb—If you can’t handle the repeated rape of the protagonist and her resultant suicidal ideations, don’t go anywhere near this book. Think it might still be worth it? Heard it’s the …
Title: Darling Girls Author: Sally Hepworth Series: n/a an argument for nurture Thank you to Sally Hepworth, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review. First a disclaimer: I have no experience or personal knowledge of the foster care system, much less that of Australia, so I won’t be commenting on it. I have no idea if this novel perpetuates false and/or negative stereotypes or perceptions regarding foster …
Title: Speculations in Sin Author: Jennifer Ashley Series: Below Stairs Mystery #7 *heart eyes* MUCH thanks to Jennifer Ashley, Berkley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Kaila Mundell-Hill once again for inviting me on the blog tour. Yes, another approval from Berkley! They waited several months to approve my request only four days before publication, but a win’s a win! I LOVED this book!! Ashley’s writing …
Title: A Haunting in the Arctic Author: C. J. Cooke Series: n/a didn’t end well Much thanks to C. J. Cooke, Berkley, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Kaila Mundell-Hill for inviting me on the blog tour. Yes, you read correctly—Berkley actually let me have an ARC. No, no, don’t run to your bunker. Stay close, though. Ghost story, psychological thriller, historical fiction—this novel has it all…..if …
Title: Iron Flame Author: Rebecca Yarros Series: Fourth Wing #2 A great follow-up! Got a bit long, though. I spaced off from time to time during the second half when it was all boring war- or strategy-talk. Xaden and Violet’s argument got old, too; felt like they were just arguing in circles. Didn’t help that, like they themselves acknowledged, they kept getting interrupted by either hormones or external matters before they could finish the argument. Thank god they finally did, …
Title: Crown of Blood and Glass Author: Lucinda Dark and Rebecca Grey Series: Awakened Fates #1 not a bad premise but bad execution Thank you to Lucinda Dark and Rebecca Grey, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to an ARC eaudiobook in exchange for an honest review. DNF 60%. I stuck with it until the hero forced himself on the heroine just to prove that she did want him, despite her protests. I assume he didn’t complete …
Titles: The Inheritance Games, The Hawthorne Legacy, The Final Gambit Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes Series: The Inheritance Games Why is this series so popular??? This is a review for the trilogy as a whole. No spoilers. This series did not live up to the hype; I’m a little bitter that I waited several months to get my turn at the audiobooks from the library. How many other books could I have borrowed and enjoyed in that time? I was further …