Review: If the Shoe Fits

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fresh take on the Cinderella story featuring a plus-size heroine.
Cindy has just graduated from design school (Parsons in NYC). She struggled the last year (delayed grief from losing her father suddenly 3 years prior) and has been blocked creatively. So on graduation, she moves in with her step-mom with plans to nanny her triplet 1/2 siblings while she figures out her next step(s). On the way home she has a chance encounter with a guy on the plane that she clicks with. But she doesn't get his number. Nor he hers.
Erica (her step-mom) is a producer for a Bachelor-like show called "After Midnight." She (and her step-sisters Anna and Drew) go on the show. She hopes to find some inspiration and get her name out there in fashion as a fresh shoe designer. And the Bachelor is none other than Henry, the man from the plane.
I liked the behind the scenes of the reality show (I've watched both the Bachelor and Bachelorette). I think the best parts of this was the fact that Erica is a nice step-mother. Anna and Drew are supportive step-sisters. That is not to say they aren't flawed (they are), but they aren't bad like the fairy tale. I also liked how "After Midnight" ended and the actual end of the book. I would have liked an epilogue however (like this is where Cindy 

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Review: Oh Sh*t, I Almost Killed You! A Little Book of Big Things Nursing School Forgot to Teach You

Oh Sh*t, I Almost Killed You! A Little Book of Big Things Nursing School Forgot to Teach You by Sonja Schwartzbach
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wanted something that was funny and thought, I'm a nurse, let's check this out!

I would recommend this for those new nurses, there is fun, correct advice in this one.  Older nurses will appreciate this too I think.

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Review: My Fault

My Fault by Mercedes Ron
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

You know a book that is so bad, but for some fucked up reason you keep reading it?  That's this book.

This is marketed as a young adult/ new adult, but should only be new adult.  The whole "forbidden romance" (step-siblings) did not work.  They started out as enemies and really should have stayed that way.  

I thought Noah was a bit self-centered and a bit stupid for falling for the walking red flag that was Nick.  

Nick was an utter asshole with absolutely no redeeming qualities.  And please, he is super hot, he one of the best racers, and one of the best fighters.  Whatever.      

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Review: Fight Oligarchy

Fight Oligarchy by Bernie Sanders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I consider myself well versed in politics and keep abreast of the world events/news (from a variety of news sources).  Nothing here is new to me, but this is a shorter book, so maybe someone will be curious and pick this up.  I adore Bernie and loved that red, red Idaho got a shout-out in this book.  Nampa, Idaho was a stop on his and AOC's "Fighting Oligarchy" tour and it was at full capacity (having to turn people away).    

For the record, I consider myself to be a Democratic Socialist with an independent streak.   I do think legislators need to be able to compromise and while we might not get everything that we want, we get something.  The goal being to go back to the table again and get something(s) else (rinse and repeat).  

No one knows how to work together anymore.  And really, I don't like to admit this, but today's GOP is disastrous and are following the orange, demented asshole.  To the detriment of the US, the World, and Democracy.  

No Kings Saturday March 28th.  Be there.  There is something happening close to you.  Show up and participate.  Don't let this authoritarian regime silence you. 

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Review: The Boyfriend Subscription

The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teddy is dealing with trauma; he is recently divorced (the ex cheated) and his ex father-in-law sued him for ridiculous (and false) reasons (Teddy should have read the fine print/paid more attention though).  Either way, he doesn't have the money to fight and has lost his business "Plant Daddy."  He's got a week left in NYC with his best friend and roommate Kit before moving back home to New Orleans to live with his mom. 

Cole owns his own copy, VERSTL which aims to empower sex workers.  He also has traumas from his childhood (distant parents and feeling like he didn't belong).   He also doesn't think he will fall in love.

I liked the Pretty Woman retelling.  Both characters are likable and grew throughout the book.  Teddy realizes he can rely on his friends.  Cole realizes he is worthy of love.  I enjoyed Teddy's friends, Cole's family.  I thought the issue with Jason wasn't resolved as well as it could have been.  The ending was a bit abrupt, and an epilogue would have been nice (like where they are in 6 months for example).  

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Review: My Dinner with Hayden: A Heated Rivalry Short Story

Details the first "official" meeting between Ilya and Hayden (Shane's best friend and teammate) after Hayden knows they are a couple. As expected there is friction and they need to learn to stop being immature and learn to get along.

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Review: Heated Rivalry

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Opens in 2016 with Shane and Ilya firmly in some type of (secret) relationship where their (real) feelings are still being decided/debated/denied.  I liked that it then goes back in time to when they first meet (Dec 2008) as 18 year olds.  We learn about their secret hook-ups throughout the years as they figure things out.  

This takes place both before, during, and after the first book (Scott and Kip).  It takes the events of the first book with Scott coming out for Shane and Ilya to have their come to Jesus moment and realize a relationship IS possible.  And for Shane to fully accept himself instead of being ashamed/feeling like he is wrong.  

I liked that this showed a different way.  While Scott's was coming out to his team and later the whole world, Shane and Ilya are doing it differently (out to Shane's team and family, close friends only).  The ending is both (IMO) a HFN and HEA.  

I look forward to bingeing the HBO series.  

AND in another note:  here is information to register concern related to the Paramount/Skydance merger with Warner Bros Discovery:

Template Letter:

Dear FTC Commissioners and DOJ Antitrust Division Officials,

I am writing as a concerned citizen and advocate for women’s rights and media diversity to urge you to block the Ellison-Paramount-Warner merger. This merger would create a dangerous monopoly in streaming and content creation, giving Paramount unprecedented control over pricing, distribution, and programming. Consumers will face higher costs and fewer choices, while diverse storytelling risks being sidelined for profit-driven, homogenized content. Additionally, it threatens thousands of jobs, disproportionately affecting women in the industry, and undermines progressive voices on issues like gender equity and reproductive rights.

Compounding these harms is President Trump’s public interference, demanding changes to CNN ahead of the 2026 midterms — a clear abuse of power that endangers press freedom and independent journalism vital to democracy. Under antitrust laws, this deal risks substantially lessening competition and must be thoroughly investigated and blocked to protect consumers, creators, and our free press. Thank you for enforcing these critical safeguards.

 [add in name/address]

How to Submit:

FTC: Use their online antitrust complaint intake form at www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/antitrust-complaint-intake or submit comments on proposed mergers via www.ftc.gov/enforcement/submit-merger-antitrust-comment.

DOJ Antitrust Division: Email antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov or use their Citizen Complaint Center at https://www.justice.gov/atr/citizen-complaint-center.

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