Review: House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided both a print and audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

The narrator did a great job voicing the different characters and kept the pacing moving along wonderfully.  She did a good job adding emotion and tension in the right places.  

This was a really interesting phycological thriller.  It follows attorney Stella as she works a case to figure out the best custody arrangement for young client Rose.  Rose's parents have filed for divorce after their live in nanny fell out a window and it came to light that she was having an affair with Rose's father.  Rose has stopped speaking after the horrible events in her home, so it is Stella's job to put together the facts and determine what the most suitable and safe environment for Rose will be after the divorce.  As she gets to know the family, it is clear that they are hiding something and they know more about the nanny's death than they are letting on.  The closer she gets to the truth, the more likely it is that anyone of them could have murdered the nanny including nine year old Rose.  As Stella investigates the case, trauma from her own past surfaces, and she struggles to keep her own feelings out of the case she is investigating as her past overlaps her present.

This kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.  One second I was convinced it was the daughter, the next it was one of the parents, then it was the grandmother, then in the next chapters I changed my mind again.  The author does a good job providing the reader with a good amount of red herrings to keep you guessing but does leave enough clues lead you to the right answer.  I also enjoyed learning about Stella's background story, it had you wondering if it was a distraction from the main plot, if she was projecting her own trauma onto the case or if she was doing a better job because of her past.  I do think the addition of the romantic subplot was a bit unnecessary, it was a small part of the book so it wasn't that distracting.

Overall I enjoyed this, I thought I had great pacing, and while I normally don't like books with small children in them when it comes to thrillers this one was worth the read.

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Review: Bananapants by Penny Reid

Bananapants by Penny Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are my own.

This reads as a complete standalone, but if you have been a Penny Reid fan for a long time you will recognize some of the characters that make appearances.  This follows Ava and Desmond, who happen to be children of Fiona and Greg and Janie and Quinn from the Knitting in the City series.  If you have read and loved that series, their are appearances from some of the other characters from that series. Ava and Desmond were best friends until he ghosted her at 15 and they haven't spoken in years.  They run into each other at a party where Ava is impersonating a friend of hers, and Des is working a job.  This kicks off a series of events full of comedy, discussions about mental health, and action packed Robin Hood type shenanigans as Ava and Des reenter each others lives.  As they get to know each other again, they fall right back into their best friend roles, only this time there is undeniable attraction between them.  Their romance is a little unorthodox, especially as they are both inexperienced in different ways, but they figure it out especially when they realize communication is key.  I loved getting to know them.

I'm not sure if this is going to be a new series with the second generation of Knitting in the City characters, but if it is I'm here for it.  I absolutely adore Penny's books and will read whatever she writes.  Her books are always a mix of comedy, romance, emotion, and thoughtful subject matter.  In this installment we get the very real topic of bipolar disorder.  The author is very open about the representation in the book and the neurodiverse nature of her characters.  Make sure you read the author's note.  I always love the amount of research and care Penny puts into her books because I always learn something new and I get an entertaining read with wonderful characters.  I loved this and I loved that we got to revisit with some favorite characters from the past.

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Review: Northern Twilight by Samantha Young

Northern Twilight by Samantha Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided both an audio and print ARC of this book via the author, all opinions are by own.

This book like all of the other books in the series does read as a complete standalone, however it does feature characters that we have gotten to know over the course of the series.  Callie and Lewis were children in previous installments when we met their parents, now they are all grown up and we learn how they went from best friends as kids to high school sweethearts to not speaking to one another.  

Lewis and Callie both left Ardnoch after high school.  Lewis moved to London for university and is beginning his career as an architect.  He is beginning to feel the pull to move back home and be closer to his family, but he is still heartbroken over losing Callie.  She's recently moved back home to work at her mother's bakery after a stint in Paris studying pastry arts.  Callie was adamant she never wanted to leave Scotland and their small town, so naturally Lewis is confused by her actions and their breakup.  When they run into each other in London, all of those unresolved feelings come rushing back and they both let emotion and passion lead them.  

As with the other books set in Ardnoch this has a bit of a suspense element to it.  It doesn't overtake the main romance plot between Lewis and Callie as they navigate getting to know one another again, but strange things keep happening to them that threaten to upend their happiness.  I really enjoyed getting to know Lewis and Callie as adults.  I thought it was a nice creative touch that this was told in both the present and the past.  We get to know them both as teenagers when their romantic relationship was developing and as it fell apart and we get to know them as adults as they start dating again and re-establishing their relationship and navigate the things that tore them apart in the first place.  Callie has to deal with the emotional trauma from her past as well as all of the local gossips wanting to stir up drama for her and her family.  Fortunately she has a strong support system, and she and Lewis slowly ease their way back to what they once had only better.  This has a good amount of spice and was a great second chance romance!

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Review: The Dead Cat Tail Assassinsby P. Djèlí Clark

The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was provided an audio ARC of this book via the publisher and Netgalley, all opinions are my own.  Listening to the audiobook was even better than reading the book.  The narrator was wonderful, she did an amazing job voicing all of the characters.  It was like there were multiple narrators with all of the accents and voices she created for this book.  It was such a rich listening experience and really brought Clarks vivid world and characters to life.

I read this back in April when it was originally scheduled to release in the spring, but I jumped on a chance to listen to the audiobook.  I absolutely loved the audiobook and highly recommend picking this up in whatever format you prefer.  This was originally supposed to release in April, however the publication date has moved to August. This novella is roughly 200 pages in print, bringing it to just over 7 hours of listening time.  I listened to it in a day and couldn't put it down.  It is a fast paced and action packed mix of sci-fi and fantasy. Each one if Clark's books mixes a bit of steampunk, science fiction, and fantasy into a unique story that you don't want to put down. The world building is excellent, and even in a short time you come to love the characters!

Eveen is a member of The Dead Cat Tail Assassins', they are a guild of undead assassins governed by contracts and godling laws. When presented with what appears to be a proper contract, Eveen finds herself unable to fulfil the contract which could bring down the wrath of Aeril, the goddess she and those like her serve, on not only herself bur her entire guild.

Eveen and her mark, set out on a mission to figure out how to undo the contract through time and space without destroying the entire city before the sun comes up. Eveen and Sky offset each other like night and day, while using everything at hand to figure out how to circumvent the contract and set things to rights. This had everything I would want from a great story, good humor, engaging plot, interesting characters, and it was a lot of fun!

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Review: Nobody Cares About Your Career: Why Failure Is Good, the Great Ones Play Hurt, and Other Hard Truths by Erika Ayers Badan

Nobody Cares About Your Career: Why Failure Is Good, the Great Ones Play Hurt, and Other Hard Truths by Erika Ayers Badan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an audio arc of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

The author narrates the audiobook. Her narration was very professional. What I mean by that is that as passionate as she is about this subject, that didn't come through in her narration. It was fine, but it was missing the emotion and passion I was expecting. I've read other career development and self-help books narrated by the authors, but they are also coaches and present the material regularly and that shows up in the narration because they present professionally as well. As a debut this is a good first take, but I would have appreciated more emotion in the narration.

I enjoyed this no nonsense, direct, common sense approach to taking charge of your own career. The author states in the beginning of the book that much of what she is about to tell you is common sense, but sometimes you need to hear it anyway. As someone who has been with my current company for over 10 years, much of her advice rings true. I've switched roles within the same company every few years because of burnout or it was time to learn something new. I do think some of her advice is going to be take it or leave it based on the industry you are in or the culture of your company or even the type of person you are.

The author wrote this exactly as if she were speaking to you. She doesn't hold back any punches and she swears alot. I actually found it to be refreshing and genuine. I don't mind the language, but I know others clutch pearls when people curse and get offended. They are just words and they don't bother me, so take that with a grain of salt. If you didn't mind the language in The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life you will enjoy this.

I feel like this is perfect for someone newer in establishing their career, however the advice rings true for someone well established in their career as well. There are some great pearls of wisdom in here. The title is accurate, no one is more invested in your career progression than you are. The author gives examples of situations she's been in both good and bad that have led her to the success in her career. She also gives some checklists and pointers throughout. While I found alot of her advice to be common sense, I found I needed to hear some of it anyway and plan to put some of it to use in the near future.

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Review: Dashed by Amanda Quain

Dashed by Amanda Quain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC of this book via the publisher and Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a cute YA romance.  It is super clean if you are looking for something a little more on the innocent side.  This has some hand holding and kissing but nothing more than that, so it is perfect for  younger readers despite the main character being 18.  This follows Margaret or Mags as people close to her call her on her summer vacation.  Her brother-in-law has landed a summer job as ship's chaplain on the Queen Mab and Margaret has decided to tag along for the summer with her older sister Elinor before she heads off to college in the fall.  Margaret has been emulating Elinor for the past few years, despite her personality traits more aligning to those of their middle sister Marianne.  Margaret isn't really sure who she really is because she is always trying to be care free, impulsive Marianne or practical, level headed Elinor.  Their family was rocked by a year of tragedy several years ago and to cope with her trauma Margaret has decided she is going to do everything Elinor does.  

Margaret has her entire cruise planned out, when Marianne crashes the cruise.  Margaret does what she thinks is best and develops an elaborate plan to create dates for her sister to make her happy.  While she is crafting this grand plan, she develops a friendship turned fake relationship with Gabe a member of the crew.  They hit it off immediately and he and Mags spend lots of time hanging out and planning dates for themselves and Marianne.  Margaret is determined to keep her feelings locked up tight, but Gabe is slowly breaking down her walls.  When a hurricane derails the entire cruise Margaret has to face her feelings not only for the boy she has gotten to know over the last few weeks but all of the feelings she has kept bottled up about her sisters and her place in their family.  

I really liked the character development in this.  Margaret was slow to figure out what she needed to, but she eventually gets there.  This read a little young for my tastes, but this will be perfect for younger readers.  I loved Edward (the brother in law) he gave great advice and was an unlikely sounding board for our girl when she really needed it.  

Overall this was a super sweet YA romance.  It is a perfect summer read!

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RELEASE BLITZ: The Arrangement by Adriana Locke

 

The Arrangement by Adriana Locke is now live! 

The gorgeous CEO of Brewer Air is my boss and, thanks to a bet, my new husband for six months.

Why? Because I begged.

I have a grandmother to support, a stack of bills higher than my five-foot frame, and as a cherry on top, I need to find a new place to live. Soon.

Sure, Jason Brewer’s bright green eyes and chiseled jawline steal my breath. His smirk makes me weak. The former military hero’s protective nature is as sexy as watching him control a boardroom or fly a plane.  

But none of that matters. I’m desperate—not foolish. I know forever-level commitments aren’t real. This is simply a business transaction with a billionaire.

It’s too bad we didn’t consider all contingencies.

Our first kiss was to seal the deal. The second was in front of an Elvis impersonator. The third kiss led to a honeymoon that was so hot it burned into my memory.

I tell myself it’s okay because there’s an arrangement in place. It’s a—very—enjoyable means to a much-needed end. There’s nothing to worry about.

Except there is …

Jason is determined to prove that we could be more. When he proposes a new arrangement, it changes everything in ways I never saw coming. 

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a new age-gap workplace romance featuring a former military hero who falls first and hard for his heroine. You will swoon over this spicy standalone romance. 

  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cKdskO

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/ALTheArrangement

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Y93Prp

Meet Adriana

USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.

She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.

Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.

 

Connect with Adriana 

Website: www.adrianalocke.com

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