Review: The Woman in Me

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have a new admiration for Brittany after reading this.  She has been through so much shit I had no idea, none, things were this bad.  She does a good job of covering growing up, dating (she talks about Justin Timberlake when they were together- she also got pregnant and had an abortion because Justin wasn't ready; after reading this I have no respect for him- the way he was treated after their breakup to the way she was is night and day.  It's ridiculous.), her marriages, to her conservatorship and relationships to her family.  She was a prisoner for 13 years- she had to have permission to go out to her friends, she couldn't eat what she wanted, her phone had child locks on it, she couldn't freely see her kids, but she was still supposed to work and make money (that her father and others took).    

This also points out how men and women are treated (think sex, drugs, rock and roll - how many men who had addictions and/or mental illness got put away in a conservatorship).  Men can pretty much get away with whatever they want.  

The Nation has a good article from 2021: https://www.thenation.com/article/society/conservatorship-iud-britney-spears/

Women's Media Center from 2022: https://womensmediacenter.com/fbomb/how-britney-spears-conservatorship-highlights-the-role-of-guardianship-law-in-womens-oppression

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Review: Out of Body

Out of Body by Suzanne Brockmann
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I decided to check this out after the news of RWA (Romance Writer's of America) bankruptcy filing (they are blaming DEI for their money problems). Ilona Andrews has an excellent write-up on their blog; complete with a like to Suzanne Brockmann's speech at the 2018 Ritas.
Now on to the book. Henry and Malcolm met in college, but never were anything more than friends. Henry has always had feelings for him. After years of pining, Henry decides to make a move and they share a kiss. After that Mal disappears. Except he didn't. He is right there and Henry is unable to see him.
My first thought was, a ghost romance where one of the characters is dead?! But no, a demon is possessing Mal. This had some funny moments with Mal desperately trying to get Henry's attention. A nice, fun friends to lovers with a nice ending.

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Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having enjoyed the Hunger Games trilogy, I was leery about a book about Coriolanus Snow. For those who may not remember (or the rare person who hasn't read or seen the books/movies); Snow is a villain. Did he (of all the characters) really need a backstory? (The answer would be no). Am I glad I picked this up? Sure. I enjoyed reading about the world and we got some backstory on Panem/the Games.
Now I just need to get around to watching the movie.

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Review: The Bookbinder's Guide to Love

The Bookbinder's Guide to Love by Katherine Garbera
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5* rounded up
Serafina (Sera) was a foster kid. She now co-owns a business with her 2 best friends; Liberty and Poppy. Sera's part of the business is a Bookstore (in a new age type store since Poppy's sells and makes teas, Liberty does tarot readings) and she handmakes journals (her hobby) to sell. Her journals seem to be special; good things happen to those that buy them and the store gets popular after someone famous buys one and comes to new success. Sera also found a close friendship with an older gentleman, Ford, who was a bookbinder and fixed old books. He told her new techniques for her journals.
This picks up after Ford's death when he leaves her some of his old books. Except Ford's estranged grandson Wes, is mad because he thought he should have been left the books. Wes was an utter asshole when they first met. Thankfully, he does realize that and apologizes. I liked their interactions and how they gradually opened up; she had issues due to being in foster with numerous different placements. He had an issue with abandonment (his parents divorced and his mother took he and his brother Oz and they didn't;t get to see their dad. Then, suddenly they could and their mom left with no further communication. Once in father's custody, they didn't see him because he was working all the time). Both characters were in mid to late 20s and had no previous serious relationship experience. The misunderstanding was stupid, but luckily didn't drag on too long.

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Review: Dark Prince

Dark Prince by Eve Silver
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Jane is sold by her father to Aidan to pay off his debt.  They live on the coast and it is rumored that Aidan is a pirate and smuggler.  And..gasp!  A murderer!

However things are not as they seem.  I thought this was disappointing.  There was not much to the mystery and it was a bit of a let down.  I didn't like the dynamic between Aidan and Jane at the beginning; he wasn't clear on expectations he had and I just felt the "romance" was icky (re: the indentured servitude).  

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Review: Betrayals

Betrayals by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Picks up where Deceptions leaves off.  Olivia (Matilda), Gabriel (Gwynn of the Tylwyth Teg), and Ricky (Arawn of the Cwn Annwn- the Huntsmen) are all aware of their roles in the folklore.  They are, but at the same time are each individual personalities that are their own.  

This starts with Ricky being questioned about the disappearance of someone who was apparently stalking him and taking pictures.  There is a mystery to be solved.  Someone is killing Lamiae (a Greek type of fae) and it might be the person who is missing.  There also might be a rogue Huntsman and hound (which are not supposed to happen!).  

Gabriel trying to show he cares once he realizes he is in love with Olivia.  He does cherish his friendship and is trying to nurture it.  She finally shares who his father is (he isn't surprised).  Ricky comes to a realization about he and Olivia's relationship.  

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He wants to take a step back.  He knows that Gabriel is in love with Olivia and wants to give her a chance to explore something with Gabriel if she wants too.  He wants to make sure she didn't pick him because he was easy (for lack of a better why to describe it).

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Review: Looking Inside

Looking Inside by Beth Kery
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Eleanor liked to stay over at her sister Caddy's place.  She has a hot, sexy neighbor who forgets to close the blinds when he has company over.  Eleanor has fantasies about this dude who has A LOT of sex.  It isn't until her sister's death that Eleanor re-evaluates her life and wants to be more adventurous.  She, who is normally very shy, steps out of her comfort zone.  

She decides to approach her crush, Trey, who also happens to be rich and is taking a sabbatical from women (they only want him for his cash).  But, oh!  Eleanor is different!  They can't resist each other.  

Both bond over shared loss and grief.  And they have a lot of sex.  Some drama too because Trey did know Caddy (from a work/client perspective only) and this causes some (very unnecessary) drama.

Just eh.  

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