The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim My rating: 3 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Last Story of Mina Lee in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Nancy Jooyoun Kim’s The Last Story of Mina Lee is a exploration of identity and family, though it navigates a path that might not fully satisfy every reader. While the novel has notable strengths, it also grapples with certain elements that impact the overall reading experience. The Details The narrative structure, with its shifting perspectives between Mina and Margot, provides depth…
-
-
South of the Buttonwood Tree
South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of South of the Buttonwood Tree in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Heather Webber’s South of the Buttonwood Tree is a charming and whimsical story. It journeys into a small Southern town where magic and mystery intertwine with the lives of its inhabitants. Blending contemporary fiction with elements of magical realism, Webber crafts a story that is both enchanting and heartwarming. The Details Webber’s writing is imbued with a sense of nostalgia, capturing the essence of…
-
Saving Ruby King
Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Saving Ruby King in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Catherine Adel West’s debut novel, Saving Ruby King is a poignant exploration of family, secrets, and the enduring bonds that tie us together. Set against the backdrop of Chicago’s South Side, the novel unfolds with a raw and emotional intensity that resonates long after the final page. The Details At its heart, the novel is a compelling family drama that weaves together the lives of Ruby King…
-
Deception by Gaslight
Deception by Gaslight by Kate Belli My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Deception by Gaslight in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Deception by Gaslight immerses readers in the gaslit streets of Victorian London, offering a compelling historical mystery that combines intricate plotting with a vividly depicted setting. In this atmospheric tale, Belli introduces us to Charles St. Clair, a detective with a keen mind and a penchant for uncovering the truth. The Details The strength of the novel lies in its evocative portrayal of Victorian London. Belli captures the…
-
A Forgotten Murder
A Forgotten Murder by Jude Deveraux My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of A Forgotten Murder in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist A Forgotten Murder is the third installment in the Medlar Mystery series. It blends elements of mystery and romance against a picturesque backdrop. Set in the quaint town of Lachlan, the novel immerses readers in a captivating whodunit with a touch of old-world romance. The Details The novel features a delightful ensemble cast. Deveraux skillfully brings these characters to life, each contributing to the overall charm of the…
-
The Lost Orphan
The Lost Orphan by Stacey Halls My rating: 4 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Lost Orphan in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Stacey Halls’ The Lost Orphan is a captivating journey through the gritty streets of 18th-century London, where a young woman’s search for her past unravels a tapestry of secrets and deceit. Halls transports readers to a vividly depicted historical setting, exploring the harsh realities of life in the Georgian era. The Details The protagonist is a compelling and tenacious character whose quest for truth takes readers on a…
-
Jinxed
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Jinxed in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist Jinxed by Thommy Hutson is a spine-chilling thriller that expertly weaves together elements of suspense, supernatural horror, and psychological tension. Hutson masterfully crafts a narrative that is engaging, with each chapter unveiling new layers of mystery and dread. The Details The strength of the novel lies in Hutson’s ability to create a palpable atmosphere of unease. The town becomes a character in itself, its secrets and malevolent history casting a pervasive sense of foreboding. The author skillfully explores the psychological toll on…
-
The Sacrifice
The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco My rating: 2 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Sacrifice in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist You know what? I’m kind of tired writing these negative, or shall we say unfavourable reviews. There have been a lot of them lately. So, here I am, excited to start Rin Chupeco’s newest story. I loved her Bone Witch trilogy and Never Tilting World duology, but there was something missing in The Sacrifice. The Details I loved the premise, the setting, the contradiction between such a beautiful…
-
Belladonna
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace My rating: 1 of 5 stars Thank you to the publisher, Little, Brown for Young Readers, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Belladonna in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Gist I don’t know what to say. I am so done having to deal with this book; I just want to forget about it. Less than a week ago I made the YouTube book review video for Belladonna, thinking at least that part is out of the way. I thought wrong. It appears my microphone decided to break halfway through the shoot and I had to make the…
-
Book Haul 2016
I’m trying something new and giving this book haul trend a go not only on my YouTube channel, but also on my blog. I noticed that I have a lot of books that I read in the past few years that never made it on this blog or even Goodreads. So, in order to clean up this mess, I’m doing a sort of book haul by the year. Turns out I have to go back six years. That a long time ago and so much has changed since then. Each book gets a paragraph or two in which I talk a little bit about the impressions the story has made…
