Review: The Message

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

His writing is very lyrical and flows. In this he talks about his travels in Africa and Palestine. He also talks about the education system here. It's amazing how freaked out people get by the written word which leads to book bans. I felt we were going in the right direction (teaching history- the good, the bad, the ugly & being honest) and now we are backsliding. A lot.
"When you are erased from the argument and purged from the narrative, you do not exist."

View all my reviews

Review: The Secret Loves of Geek Girls

The Secret Loves of Geek Girls by Hope Nicholson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nice variety of mediums; this had comics, short graphic novellas, and the more traditional short stories.
Standouts: Margaret Atwood's comic, Erin Lossar's, Cherelle Higgins's short stories, and my favorite Diane McCallum's Four Fictional Happy Endings.

View all my reviews

Review: The Austen Playbook

The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Freddy is an actress in her 20s.  She has been working as a teenager.  She comes from a family of actors/play-writes.  Her dad has a vision for her career that doesn't quite match what she wants.  

Griff is a theater critic.  He and his family have some financial concerns.  He does what he can.  

This had a lot going on.  There is Freddy's family legacy and breaking free of expectations and doing what you want.  There are good sibling interactions.  Two people who can't help but fall for each other.  Fun HP references too.  Sadie was a bitch.    

View all my reviews

Review: Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty

Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty by Hillary Rodham Clinton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I've never been a big fan of the Clintons, but I do admire HRC for all that she has accomplished. This was a series of stories/events that have happened and told from her point of view. Think Jan 6th, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan (I hadn't realized that she was involved in getting multiple women out), when she taught in college, Russian propaganda. There is a lot in this book.

View all my reviews

Review: The Devil in Blue Jeans

The Devil in Blue Jeans by Stacey Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5* rounded up
Charly and her friends (Aubrey and Willow) make a pact after college to move to Timber Falls and go all in on a bar/restaurant if they don't like where their lives are at at the ripe out age of 28. To Charly Timber Falls has a magical appearance to it. (TF is in Montana and is in close proximity to Yellowstone). Well, Charly walked in on her fiance cheating on her, Willow had an abusive boyfriend, and Aubrey was sexually harassed by co-workers, so time for a fresh start!
They buy the Naked Moose and renovate it, turning it into a high end cocktail bar; serving only cocktails. The locals are disappointed and don't feel welcome since the new format seems to cater more to tourists. Enter Jaxon, the former owner who is pissed. He father unexpectedly died and he sold the bar to take over his family's ranch; raising, training, and selling world class Quarter Horses.
This starts out as an enemies, "how can I use you to help with the bar's success/make the locals welcome", before turning into lovers. There is a subplot with Charly's ex that she has to deal with (that was probably not necessary), but it did give her closure. I liked Jaxon's friends, Gunner (a country singer) and Eli (his sister was murdered by her boyfriend). Both work with Jaxon on his ranch.
I did think it strange that in a small town a bar would only serve cocktails and not beer. And those cowboys are smart- they only like craft beer. (yes, "craft" beer was mentioned a lot).

View all my reviews

Review: Purple Hearts

Purple Hearts by Tess Wakefield
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1.5* Rounded up b/c I did finish this (although in hindsight, I should have DNF'd it)
This had so much potential. A fake relationship for health insurance? Cassie has diabetes and has to regularly choose between rent and insulin. When she realizes that military spouses get good health insurance, she proposes to a childhood friend. He turns her down, but Luke, who has reasons of his own for wanting the extra pay, volunteers.
So many problems with this. Not knocking the military, but this had racist, misogynistic parts that I just couldn't get past. I also didn't care for either main character and thought the ending could have been different.

View all my reviews

Review: South Beach Love: Now a Hallmark Channel original movie!

South Beach Love: Now a Hallmark Channel original movie! by Caridad Piñeiro
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tony is an executive chef at a New York restaurant. He comes for a long overdue trip to Miami to see family and to help with his niece's quinceanera. Sara is also a chef in Miami with her own restaurant to promote. She also has a niece whom she will be helping with her quinceanera. Add to the pressure of creating the perfect menu, there is also a competition to be featured in the local paper.
This was a nice slow burn (clean) romance. I would have liked more in the end. Don't read if you are hungry (lots of descriptions of food).

View all my reviews