Review: Falling

Falling by Christina Lauren
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Cat broke up with her boyfriend Jake at a Halloween party. He was boring. She meets Brigan (a Fallen and is cursed). She "sees" him for himself and doesn't obsess over him. This had insta-love, was rushed, and the ending was blah (abrupt).

View all my reviews

Review: A Duke Changes Everything

A Duke Changes Everything by Christy Carlyle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nick is the hated 2nd son of the late duke and inherits the title after his brother's death. He has a lot of baggage. His father was abusive and scarred his face. Nick also had 2 different colored eyes. Nick was able to escape his father and is now a self-made man. Mina has always known Enderley (the estate) and village and took over as the estate steward when her father died.
Nick visits to set things in order to rent the place out (since he can't sell it). Enderley is in disrepair. Things change once he gets to know Mina and converse with her.
I found this easy to put down and pick up later. The writing was fine, the characters too. (This was a decent HR, but nothing really stood out).


View all my reviews

Review: Miss Austen

Miss Austen by Gill Hornby
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the (fictional) story of Jane Austen's letters to a close friend where she confided details (good and bad) of her life. Jane's sister Cassandra, wants to protect her sister's memory/reputation and invites herself for a visit to Isabel (her mother was the friend and was also the sister to Cassandra's deceased fiance). While there she looks for the letters and helps pack/sort out Isabel's placement (to be a single, unmarried woman, the horror!).
This had a slow start, but did pick up.

View all my reviews

Review: If You Don't Like This, I Will Die: An Influencer Memoir

If You Don't Like This, I Will Die: An Influencer Memoir by Lee Tilghman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Author was one of the first "influencers" on social media. An "influencer" is a common dream that many aspire to. I thought this showed that it's not easy and you have to be "on" pretty much all the time. There is pressure to look a certain way, be perfect. If not, the criticism is harsh.
This did lose me because I expected more reflection/thoughts on the harms of wellness influencing (and influencing general as well). She contributed to the misinformation and I don't think there was much of an acknowledgement of that.

View all my reviews

Review: Hot for Slayer

Hot for Slayer by Ali Hazelwood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Aethelthryth or Ethel (as she is now known) is a vampire and throughout the years has had run-ins with Lazlo, a vampire hunter. However, he may not be the enemy she thought he was. It isn't until he gets amnesia, that she gets to know him. It turns out, he liked her and how she treats others. It also helps that she doesn't indiscriminately kill and just goes after the evil of society for her meals.
Nice, quick, lighted-hearted read.

View all my reviews

Review: We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life's 20 Questions

We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life's 20 Questions by Glennon Doyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Self help that was put together by the authors after a life changing year (anorexia, cancer, death of a family member all in the same year). Divided into 20 questions most people ask themselves (for example; Why am I like this? How do I make and keep real friends?). Each question has quotes from the authors and from other people (mostly famous ones).
I didn't realize this until the end, but the authors have a podcast and this was a collection of quotes/sayings based on that podcast.

View all my reviews

Review: Brewing Up a Bad Boy

Brewing Up a Bad Boy by Katherine Garbera
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When she was 18 Poppy married Alistair. She asked for a divorce when it was later revealed he married her for business reasons (his family wanted her family tea recipes). Now 9 years later, she is part owner of a successful business with her best friends; Sera and Liberty. They own a multi-use bookstore; Poppy her a tea shop located there.
It turns out that Alistair, while he loved Poppy, was also striving to make his father happy too. He wanted his father's love and approval which (because he was an asshole) came with conditions. He got wise and pursued therapy. He's also expanded his knowledge and base and brews beer.
Nice, sweet story. Neither ever got over the other one, so they picked up when they left off (for the most part). People can grow and change if they want to.

View all my reviews