This was a charming story about twin boys who wish for "THE" mother. Yes, that's correct.This is a two-in-one "book" re-issue.
All I Want for Christmas
This was a charming story about twin boys who wish for "THE" mother. Yes, that's correct. They want "THE" mother, not "A" mother. They call her THE mother because they have everything all picked out, plus they want to share her with their father! So they write to Santa for THE mother. And guess what happens? Yep. This short novella was super cute, and I loved the happily ever after! I needed something sweet and relaxing after reading a bunch of violent books in the last few days.
Captivated
Captivated is a short book, not a novella like the first one. It is not a Christmas book or even a holiday book. It is basically about witchcraft and sex. This was as far from the style of the first novella as you can get! It didn't hold my attention like the first book did, and I couldn't find a way to actually like the characters or the storyline in this one.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Silhouette/Harlequin, the author, and Edelweiss/ATTL....more
As the synopsis tells us, this Historical/Fiction novel spans nearly 100 years. One day for every eight years that Issac Dahl is alive, starting when As the synopsis tells us, this Historical/Fiction novel spans nearly 100 years. One day for every eight years that Issac Dahl is alive, starting when he and his twin sister are 8. And what a whirlwind ride we get from the very first chapter!
Isaacs's life starts with an avalanche and continues, sometimes with very historical events and sometimes with what we might think of as mundane occurrences. But believe me, even what seems mundane isn't-it's all about the love this family has for each other. It's about the length of time they spend with each other and how each one in the family carves a name for themselves.
Sometimes frightening, sometimes poignant, sometimes funny. This book will get you through whatever you need to read your way through. I know it helped me through a bit of a rough patch.
*This ARC was supplied by John Scognamiglio Book's, the author Bart Yates, and Edelweiss/ATTL. With my gratitude and thanks to all....more
This was not a horrible book, nor was it a great one, hence the so-so rating.
It was a predictable read that deals with two extremely different familieThis was not a horrible book, nor was it a great one, hence the so-so rating.
It was a predictable read that deals with two extremely different families, a snobbish country club, and many semi-lies and misunderstandings.
The major flaw I had with the book is that so many side stories and questions were never dealt with/answered. What was wrong with Darcy (we have three main characters - Ned, the father and President of the country club; Darcy, his daughter and champion golfer; and Flick, the new boy in the neighborhood.) seemed obvious to me, the reader and while I understand that her issues had to be dragged out to get the page count, it was annoying that nobody really cared enough to push her into telling what the problem/s was/were.
This was a fast beach read that included some laughs, a lot about golf, teenage issues, and a lesson on how a country club is run.
*ARC was supplied by the publisher Atria/Emily Bestler Books, the author, and Edelweiss/ATTL....more
I have never read this author's other books, and maybe I should have, to prepare myself for this one; I don't know if that would have helped3.5 Stars
I have never read this author's other books, and maybe I should have, to prepare myself for this one; I don't know if that would have helped me like this book more than I did.
I realized that the two main characters had mental disorders (ADHD), and I should have sympathized with their issues more; I felt that the ADHD, plus the dying of a great friend plus a cross-country trip, was just a little too much. Then add to that an enemies-to-lovers scenario, and it was just a little too much for me. Separately, they would have been excellent stories; even adding one of the other themes would have made this a five-star read for me. But it was just a bit too over the top for me. Logan and Rosemary were just a tad too teenager-ish for me.
However, even though I did some mild eye-rolling while reading, I was captivated enough to finish this novel. This was a fast read that hit many emotions.
*ARC was supplied by the publisher Atria Books/Simon & Schuster, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss....more
What started out as a story of three whinny Asian women who have been friends for ages eventually turned into a riveting read. Yes, I admit I almost gWhat started out as a story of three whinny Asian women who have been friends for ages eventually turned into a riveting read. Yes, I admit I almost gave up during the first third or so, but something told me to keep going, and eventually, I couldn't put this book down.
We have three grown women who think of themselves as 'leftovers.' An Asian term for a woman of a certain age who hasn't married and/or had children. Along with these women, we have their mothers and future MIL to mix in the pot. Most (and especially the future MIL) are huge bitches!
These women have different problems, but problems they have. One is getting married to someone she doesn't love. This is Lulu, and she is a bit spineless. We have Jane, who thinks she is ugly and has that reinforced by her mother. She wants plastic surgery. She is married and treats her husband like crap. Then we have Rina, a workaholic (think 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week!) who wants to have her eggs frozen because she believes time is running out.
Well, Lulu is marrying one of the wealthiest bachelors in all of Shanghai, if not THE wealthiest. As you can see from the book's recap, things went on from there.
Everything is slapdash, and the reader is left amazed that these three (five if you count their two accomplices) can pull off this heist. Or can they?
The ending is amazing, and everyone seems to get their happily-ever-after, which doesn't always include a man!
This is well worth the time it will take you to read since I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.
*ARC supplied by the publisher, Graydon House - HarperCollins, the author Sophie Wan, and ATT/Edelweiss. My thanks to all....more
I had a particularly difficult time reading this book. For one thing, the edition I read had no demarcation denoting when a conversation was taking plI had a particularly difficult time reading this book. For one thing, the edition I read had no demarcation denoting when a conversation was taking place. For another thing, the philosophy was just too deep for me to really grasp. It is no wonder since the author has a PhD in philosophy! I also had some difficulty grasping in which direction we had to go to get to what timeline.
All in all, it was a semi-interesting book, but one that did not keep me captivated. I felt that there were too many descriptions of the surroundings, etc., and not enough straight information. There were some plot holes that were easy enough to ignore, too.
If you like deep philosophical debates and what amounts to time travel, you may enjoy this book much more than I did....more
While I can see that many people will love this book because of the historical content, as wellTrigger warning: Animal cruelty, vicious animal deaths.
While I can see that many people will love this book because of the historical content, as well as the idea of the British pioneering into lands unknown for the most part, I could not find my way into this book. The descriptive passages just made my stomach roil.
I found the inner dialoguing annoying at best and tedious at worst. Yes, Constance was a brave (or a stupid soul, depending on how you look at it) soul to pull off what she did; it just wasn't enough for me.
I couldn't even rouse enough curiosity to care about what happened to Constance and to find out what Maude did or didn't do about it. I will say what I did manage to read was interesting enough that I feel others are really going to like this book.
Well, this was a hell of a funky ride! All I could think while reading this was what a movie it would make-if it were set in the 1940's. I ke2.5 Stars
Well, this was a hell of a funky ride! All I could think while reading this was what a movie it would make-if it were set in the 1940's. I kept getting a noir feeling from this entertaining and illogical novel!
A cop who doesn't carry a gun it's illogical but unique, so I figure I'll keep on reading. A cop that works with a major drug dealer and helps them to get rid of another dealer...okay, sure! But I kept on reading, and my ability to suspend disbelief wore thin. You may even think of Marko Zorn as a sort of modern-day Robin Hood, stealing from the corrupt major drug dealers (Big Pharma/illegal drug manufacturers) and keeping for himself.
While these books can be read as stand-alone, this book ends on what can almost be called a cliffhanger. I wonder what the major players will be doing in the next novel? I'm not sure if I really feel the need to find out.
*ARC was supplied by the publisher Oceanview Publishing, the author, and NetGalley....more
Okay, I'm going to be the lone reader who found that this was just not the book for me, nor is it for anyo2.5 Stars rounded up for lack of half stars.
Okay, I'm going to be the lone reader who found that this was just not the book for me, nor is it for anyone who may suffer from depression. This book was filled with angst, recriminations, fights, falls off the wagon, and the typical things that most women face once they hit a certain age. None of this was prettied up. I have never read a book where so much 'bad' happens to one person.
I admit the authors' descriptions of everything were wonderful, and I admire the fact that Rachel may end up happy in her new circumstances - but it did not help me one bit from feeling a bit depressed as I read this novel. The life that these sisters grew up with was bad enough, but to heap so much other crap onto one person was just too much for me. I might have liked this more had the ending not left me wanting to drown myself in a big bottle of wine.
This was a quick read for me, though after about 3/4 of the way through this book, I did a tiny bit of skimming. Perhaps that makes this an award-winning novel, but just not for me....more
Okay then. Here is how I saw The Innocent Sleep. It was nearly a copy of Sleep No More, but from Tybalt's point of view. This book could have been a lOkay then. Here is how I saw The Innocent Sleep. It was nearly a copy of Sleep No More, but from Tybalt's point of view. This book could have been a longer novella. Somewhere in the two hundred pages or so range.
I will amend that a bit-it is Tybalt's point of view right from the very first month of when October was missing. That means that the first half of the book (or a little more) really had nothing to do with what October was going through. The first half was sad for me because I am a crazy cat lover, and to know that the cats were in big trouble and why, made me very upset. Not all of these cats were magical shapeshifters. The first half was a bit bland and boring. Enough said.
The second half of the book picks up a bit but then eventually starts getting bogged down near the end when the two books really are 'copied.'
We do know that anything bad that happened to October and Tybalt will never permanently go away -so there you have it.
*ARC supplied by Daw, the publisher, the author, and Edelweiss....more
I'm not sure how I feel about this novel. I don't know if I should be offended or jump up and down with glee. I suppose I could say IRe-Print/Re-Issue
I'm not sure how I feel about this novel. I don't know if I should be offended or jump up and down with glee. I suppose I could say I'm a 65 (soon to be 66) year-old f**k up since I never had kids. But I know I'm not. I have to question why age 40 seemed to be the catalyst since I found my 40's to be the best years of my life---but that is just me.
What I didn't like was the angst. I understand why it was needed; I grasp the fact that it is used to get the point across that Nell felt like a failure because she didn't have what she thought was 'the' perfect life. And for this, I blame the internet! For the first 3/4 of the book, I just felt so totally depressed both for Nell and for myself! If it wasn't for 80-something Cricket and Nell's landlord Edward, I might have given up on this book before I finished.
What I did like was Cricket-I adored her. She proves that with age comes wisdom and belief in yourself. You still may f**k up, but it is on your terms now! The ending was a little pat, one that could be seen a mile away, but I applaud the author's trip down this road.
The happy ending wasn't as perfect as some would have liked, but I think it strengthened the book. It would have been too much had Nell's life turned into that false interpretation of what a happy life should be.
This book is a little deep to be a typical beach read, but it is still worth it.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Harper, the author, and NetGalley and Edelweiss.
Well, it sure looks as if this is going to be a longer series than I thought. There is a HUGE namedrop at the end, and if our intrepid fighters come aWell, it sure looks as if this is going to be a longer series than I thought. There is a HUGE namedrop at the end, and if our intrepid fighters come across him, there are going to be many problems. Something to look forward to for sure!
This book I told in two different voices, Lizabeth Rose's and Felicia's, and it really works.
There are several surprises in this book, and one is most certainly not the good kind.
This was a fun, fast read, a perfect beach or long plane trip read, taking about 4 hours of non-stop reading to finish. It is only 256 pages in ebook form.
All the Dead Shall Weep does give hints as to what is coming in the future, but it also doesn't explain fully what an army is doing in Lizabeth's hometown. Nor do we really find out for sure about Eli and Peter. I may have to re-read the ending to make sure I didn't miss something in my excitement.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Gallery / Saga Press and will be released September 5, 2023, by the author and ATTL/Edelweiss—my many thanks to all....more
As I see it, this new part of the series is not different from the last 21 books. This can be a good thinBlack Dagger Brotherhood
The Next Generation
As I see it, this new part of the series is not different from the last 21 books. This can be a good thing, or it can be a bad thing if you were hoping for something fresh and new.
Wrath is back (frankly, I didn't remember that he left!), and thirty years have passed. We now have robots or Androids as cops! Interesting. But as far as I can tell, that seems to be the only significant difference in the time change. Weapons are the same—guns are guns, knives are knives.
Love is still love, and we still have the major angst in one half of the relationship as in the past. The "kids" are way more rude to their parents and adopted parents than I can remember happening in the first 21 books!
Lash is creating Lessor's hand-over-fist. I have a feeling this group, which has the catchphrase Resolve to Evolve, is responsible for the large turnout of new Lessors, but it's just a hunch.
I am curious about one thing (and I really need to re-read the last book, darn it!) and that is, how did George live the thirty years that have passed?
At any rate, this was an interesting start to this new generation.
*ARC was supplied by the publisher Simon & Schuster/ Gallery Books, the author J. R Ward, and Edelweiss/ATTL. My thanks to all....more
You would think that a book numbered 0 in a series should be read before all the others. I don't recommend you do so unless you have read, at the veryYou would think that a book numbered 0 in a series should be read before all the others. I don't recommend you do so unless you have read, at the very least, the first few books. There is enough at the end of Darius to be considered large spoilers, and you wouldn't want to ruin your anticipation, now would you?
This book is somewhat shorter than normal, so it is a fairly quick read.
For those of us who have read the entire series, make sure you have a full box of tissues by your side, especially for the last few chapters. And oh my goodness, what an epilogue we get. So much is wrapped up, and questions answered that I think I'm going to be re-reading this book again this weekend. Then, of course, I will have to re-read book one. (Oh, who am I kidding, I'll have to re-read the entire series!)
I highly recommend this book to all lovers of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
I understand that this book was out in the audio version for a while-well now; we can buy it for Kindle or, hopefully soon, paperback.
*ARC was supplied to me by the publisher Gallery Books, the author, and NetGalley and will be released on September 5th, 2023. My thanks....more
I don't know why, but I'm having a difficult time reading this book. I keep going through different feelings-hating it then, loving it.
Damn, I wrote tI don't know why, but I'm having a difficult time reading this book. I keep going through different feelings-hating it then, loving it.
Damn, I wrote the perfect review and deleted it by mistake. Poop!
Okay, I finished this book. I thought to myself all the way through that I'm probably going to stop reading this series because the books are all starting to blend into one. Nothing changes-there is romance, sex, and fights; oh, and weird dialogue that I am getting too old to understand and food too. These are romances, so naturally, there is no surprise with our HEAs. The path to Lassiter's happiness is fraught, but what else is new?
The Lessening Society is back with a cool change. Devina was starting (towards the end) to become something less than the Demon she is and maybe a redeemable entity. She has finally found her true love and has even gotten a new Birkin Himalayan bag out of the deal. (350,000.00???)
I kept slogging through this somewhat predictable book just because I had to finish it. After all, it was an ARC, so guilt made me do it. However, I'm glad I kept going since things do get very strange. At one point, about two chapters from the end, I was going to throw my e-reader out the window and then claw out my own eyes for the pain this part of the book was giving me. But please make it through to the epilogue; that will help. Maybe. Or it will muddle things up for you as it did me. ----Spoiler----there will be a time jump (our time).
Interesting things happen with Nate, George, Fritz, and Wrath. Just what the heck IS Rahvyn? Did I miss a book that explains her powers? Did I skim over something during my re-reads of past books?
Long-time, devoted readers will love this book. Maybe. If you are a newbie to this series, don't start here.
ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss....more
I loved Ms. Abe's first novel The Second Mrs. Astor, but An American Beauty didn't sway me as much as the first novel April 25, 2023 publication date
I loved Ms. Abe's first novel The Second Mrs. Astor, but An American Beauty didn't sway me as much as the first novel did. Perhaps I am more of a prig than I had thought because this couple, Arabella and Collis Huntington, were portrayed as lovers rather than being in love. I did some research myself, and what I found (although I admit that I didn't dig very far) didn't support much of what this author wrote - hence historical 'fiction.' And this knowledge disappointed me.
I know that things like this go on all the time-poor very young girl in dire straights makes a career choice that is questionable at best, meets a very much older, RICH man, and leaves everything (for instance, her son by the old man) so she can live the life of ease. Apparently, it was common then as it is common now.
This is just not my favorite theme. I like less duplicity and more truth-telling. However, with the lack of information on Arabella, I can see why the author took so many liberties.
It really is a good book that will satisfy those who love the Gilded Age era and those who love to read books about an impoverished woman pulling herself up by her bootstraps and making the best of things.
This will be a great summer beach read.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Kensington Books, the author, and Edelweiss/ATTL....more
I'm afraid that I didn't come away from this book feeling like most of the readers did. I have lost a good friend much too soon, and my experience wasI'm afraid that I didn't come away from this book feeling like most of the readers did. I have lost a good friend much too soon, and my experience was not like this at all. I didn't have months with her as she died. She died alone without me or anyone else around her.
That said, I did read this whole book, even though it was a bit of a struggle. I think that the author tried to make a 'woke' and amusing read out of something that just isn't. this book was all over the place with affairs, childhood memories, selfishness, and, yes, love. However, all these things just didn't fit correctly.
Yes, this was a beautiful book about an enduring friendship, but I had hoped for more time with the dying Edi and less time about Ash and her kids, ex-husband, and her multiple lovers. I also had some major problems with Edi's husband and his willingness to have Edi moved to a Hospice where Ash lives (from NYC to Massachusets) and never taking his son to see his mother. Kids are more resilient than you expect. This was a huge problem for me.
A good read but not a fantastic read, in my honest opinion. I DID finish this book, but it took me longer than normal for such a short book (224 pages).
*ARC supplied by the publisher Harper, the author, and EDELWEISS/ATTL.
I'm afraid that I didn't come away from this book feeling like most of the readers did. I have lost a good friend much too soon, and my experience wasI'm afraid that I didn't come away from this book feeling like most of the readers did. I have lost a good friend much too soon, and my experience was not like this at all. I didn't have months with her as she died. She died alone without me or anyone else around her.
That said, I did read this whole book, even though it was a bit of a struggle. I think that the author tried to make a 'woke' and amusing read out of something that just isn't. this book was all over the place with affairs, childhood memories, selfishness, and, yes, love. However, all these things just didn't fit correctly.
Yes, this was a beautiful book about an enduring friendship, but I had hoped for more time with the dying Edi and less time about Ash and her kids, ex-husband, and her multiple lovers. I also had some major problems with Edi's husband and his willingness to have Edi moved to a Hospice where Ash lives (from NYC to Massachusets) and never taking his son to see his mother. Kids are more resilient than you expect. This was a huge problem for me.
A good read but not a fantastic read, in my honest opinion. I DID finish this book, but it took me longer than normal for such a short book (224 pages).
*ARC supplied by the publisher Harper, the author, and EDELWEISS/ATTL....more
This was a fascinating start to a new series. Set in 1913, during an era of some upheaval ( think suffragettes) we have a brother and sister team (AarThis was a fascinating start to a new series. Set in 1913, during an era of some upheaval ( think suffragettes) we have a brother and sister team (Aaron and Rosemary Harker) who are what is called Huntsmen. They search for the "Uncanny," better known to us as werewolves, Fey, Vampires, Brownies, and other creatures that go bump in the night.
This is, first and foremost, a mystery, and the who did it and why was a wonderful twist.
Because this is the first book in this series, we do get a bit bogged down in minutia, but I can see that it is necessary to the story. A lot of things aren't explained, so I hope that they will be later on in this series. A lot of hinting about the couple's back story -just enough to make you want to read more about them.
A satisfying read, and I look forward to reading the second book when it comes out.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Gallery / Saga Press, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss....more
