I love Elizabeth Everett's feminist historical romances but man this one was difficult to get into at first. I felt lost, bored and a bit dumb listeniI love Elizabeth Everett's feminist historical romances but man this one was difficult to get into at first. I felt lost, bored and a bit dumb listening to the first third or so (and I've heard others say the same) but trust me when I say the world building and politics of the period are necessary and the last two thirds will have your swooning and sighing and hoping Phoebe gets her much needed HEA.
I loved that Sam was a clumsy golden retriever type who really balanced out Phoebe's jaded black cat energy. There was also fantastic (and rare in the historical romance realm) self-harm rep (Phoebe dealt with her depression and anxiety by cutting in her youth and has the scars to prove it).
Good on audio and while this does work as a standalone, there are cameos from characters in Everett's previous books. Recommended for fans of authors like Mimi Matthews and Evie Dunmore. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
Set over four weeks in Malibu, California at the height of the McCarthyism craze in 1956, this story alternates POVs from three women, each grappli3.5
Set over four weeks in Malibu, California at the height of the McCarthyism craze in 1956, this story alternates POVs from three women, each grappling with different life crises.
Melanie is an aspiring actress who has been put on the 'Blacklist' because of her association with an actor believed to be a communist, her next door neighbor, June who has been secretly writing screenplays under her agorapobic brother's name for years and Melanie's maid, Eva, who is a Russian born German Jewish immigrant with dark secrets of her own.
Each woman has something to hide and together they might avoid jail, survive a raging LA fire and go on to live the lives they want freely. While this was great on audio narrated by Lisa Flanagan, who does an excellent job voicing all three women, I thought some of the back stories (especially Eva's) deserved more attention.
I did enjoy learning more about 1950s America, a scary time in American history that is eerily prescient to our own times (the lesson that history repeats itself couldn't be more apt right now!). Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. This might not be my favorite Meissner book, but it is still worth the read....more
This was an INCREDIBLE ownvoices debut translated from the original Japanese about Shaka, a disabled woman who has congenital myotubular myopathy (simThis was an INCREDIBLE ownvoices debut translated from the original Japanese about Shaka, a disabled woman who has congenital myotubular myopathy (similar to muscular atrophy or ALS). She lives in a care home, has a trach, uses a ventilator, often uses technology to speak for her and requires a caregiver to help with daily tasks (ie showering).
Many of the things Shaka has to deal with are similar to my own disability challenges so I found this book extremely relatable. It was so great reading about a disabled main character expressing their desires for sex, bodily autonomy and independence in frank and at times shockingly honest ways!
This was great on audio and I can't recommend it enough, especially for fans of authors like Alice Wong. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
A strong YA fiction debut about a year in the life of Camila, an anxious, fat, queer Cuban American teen as she navigates coming out to her extended fA strong YA fiction debut about a year in the life of Camila, an anxious, fat, queer Cuban American teen as she navigates coming out to her extended family, new romantic relationships, friendships and the dissolution of her own parent's marriage.
I thought Camila's mental health (anxiety and panic attacks were really well done and she sees a therapist to help her manage it). The book also has fantastic and diverse queer characters (Camila's main love interest in the book is a biracial trans/nonbinary individual, her best friend is poly and is dating someone with multiple partners and it turns out her father is also bisexual).
Great on audio narrated by Yenni Ann and highly recommended for fans of authors like Laura Taylor Namey, Alexis Castellanos or Jessica Parra. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review....more
**spoiler alert** A darkly funny and oh so RELATABLE book about a divorced Jewish mother of three living in NYC during the early days of the pandemic **spoiler alert** A darkly funny and oh so RELATABLE book about a divorced Jewish mother of three living in NYC during the early days of the pandemic and her forays into the dating scene. This was both a queer awakening story and a raw, vulnerable look at the challenges of life during lockdown, the loneliness, the extra burdens placed on women as mothers, caregivers, providers and more and the power of female friendship to get you through dark times.
There's also a fun look at the dumpster fire of online dating as coder Rachel designs "Frankie," her own AI bot who is the 'ideal' partner and who for a time she believes herself to be falling in love with in the absence of any potential human love interests.
Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Annie Bot by Sierra Greer, Blob by Maggie Su or I made it out of clay by Beth Kander. 10/10 recommend this first book by a new to me author. Many thanks to Putnam for a gifted finished copy in exchange for my honest review!!
Fav quotes: "When all the distractions of life and work and neutral third spaces and friends and acquaintances and help and everything else were stripped away, it became painfully clear how much the women did in the homes and with the children, yes, even while working, and how little the men did, most of all, how many people couldn't actually stand their spouses."
"Real people, we're flawed and we're shitty and we're imperfect and vulnerable and fragile. Our bodies can breathe the wrong air and then fucking die on us...But our bodies can also connect with other bodies. I mean, I don't know about you, but when I'm having sex, that's when I feel close to god. Like, that's when I know there is something magical about being alive on this stupid earth."...more
This was a great collection of essays critiquing the misogyny of the food industry. Funny, scathing and very insightful. It was also good on audio andThis was a great collection of essays critiquing the misogyny of the food industry. Funny, scathing and very insightful. It was also good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Ruth Reichl or Christina Tosi. Loved it!...more
I really enjoyed this second chance romantic suspense romcom that involved Max, a broke chef who lost her restaurant and owes her family and friends aI really enjoyed this second chance romantic suspense romcom that involved Max, a broke chef who lost her restaurant and owes her family and friends a lot of money, reluctantly agreeing to pose as one of Europe's youngest female Prime Ministers while she's on vacation in exchange for a large financial compensation.
The CIA approaches Max because she bears an uncanny resemblance to the PM and they want her to act as a decoy on her Italian vacation while they try to capture the assassins who are trying to kill the PM. Little does Max expect to find herself reunited with Flynn, the one who got away and who is now her CIA handler. Things go from weird to crazy as the two find themselves fighting off assassins and running from the paparazzi.
Great on audio narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker and perfect for fans of books like The bodyguard affair by Amy Lea, The bodyguard by Katherine Center or authors like Tiana Smith. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
WOW. What a powerful, important and incredibly vulnerable book about one Texas born woman's experience with trauma at a young age and the way it hauntWOW. What a powerful, important and incredibly vulnerable book about one Texas born woman's experience with trauma at a young age and the way it haunts her life into adulthood when she is able to unlock long buried memories of rape through therapy and her fight to get justice over thirty years later! Excellent on audio, this is a MUST read for anyone who has ever suffered the same sort of sexual abuse or enjoyed books like Know my name or Saving five.
The author talks so viscerally about the affect growing up as a woman in the American South where she was constantly reminded by men that her body and sexuality was something to be judged and criticized. It is no wonder that Oprah chose it as one of her book club books and that both Reese and Jenna loved it so much too!! Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
This was a heartfelt slow burn Trans for Trans historical romance that sees reclusive Lord Christopher Eden falling for his valet and all his plans toThis was a heartfelt slow burn Trans for Trans historical romance that sees reclusive Lord Christopher Eden falling for his valet and all his plans to find a wife and save his family's estate go out the window in the face of true love.
Great on audio narrated by Harrison Knights, this had some surprise twists and is perfect for fans of authors like Cat Sebastian, Joanna Lowell or Alexis Hall.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Highly recommended for anyone participating in the Trans Rights Readathon from March 21-31st this year and a great pivot for a fav contemporary queer romance author of mine....more
Okay, okay this hilarious romcom/heist story is definitely worth all the hype!! It may not work for everyone but I thought the anniversary date gone wOkay, okay this hilarious romcom/heist story is definitely worth all the hype!! It may not work for everyone but I thought the anniversary date gone wrong story was clever, fun and suspenseful. Married couple Jane and Dan are treating themselves to a fancy dinner only to have the restaurant get crashed by a masked group (one of whom is their daughter) who are set on robbing a billionaire. Who doesn't want to cheer for a rich guy getting swindled??
But wait, there's more, Jane is an author and her first (and only) bestseller seems to have been the inspiration for the crooks who are following its plot pretty closely which is really starting to worry Jane since her book ends with a bomb explosion that kills everyone! Sold yet?? It was also good on audio and perfect for fans of the Tina Fey and Steve Carell movie, Date Night! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
It took me a minute to get into this enemies to lovers, dual POV, celebrity x small town Florida vet tech romcom but boy once I was in, I was IN!!! HiIt took me a minute to get into this enemies to lovers, dual POV, celebrity x small town Florida vet tech romcom but boy once I was in, I was IN!!! Highly recommended for anyone who ever shipped a 2000s WB showmance or enjoyed books like Celebrity crush. It was also excellent on audio narrated by Aaron Shedlock and Brittany Pressley. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
I will admit I was hooked from the second I saw this gorgeous cover but the story lives up to the high bar set by it! If you like mythology and books I will admit I was hooked from the second I saw this gorgeous cover but the story lives up to the high bar set by it! If you like mythology and books about flawed female characters and power hungry gods, this is a perfect winter read that follows Cailleach, the goddess of winter, who is cursed and forced to live and die over and over as a mortal woman.
I liked how the book followed the seasons and the way that Cailleach slowly learned to appreciate the simple pleasures of a mortal life. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Natalie Haynes or Genevieve Gornichec. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
Part memoir, part critical theory of books and reading and how finding the right book at the right time can be life-changing. I enjoyed some parts of Part memoir, part critical theory of books and reading and how finding the right book at the right time can be life-changing. I enjoyed some parts of this more than others but thought the reflections on some of her favorite books was excellent (Anne of Green Gables, Toni Morrison's The bluest eyes, etc) and the insights into her depression and mental health challenges were the strongest parts. Good on audio and definitely a book I'd recommend. ...more
I was hesitant to pick this one up but boy am I ever glad I did!! Celebrity book club picks have been hit or miss for me lately but Reese's choice of I was hesitant to pick this one up but boy am I ever glad I did!! Celebrity book club picks have been hit or miss for me lately but Reese's choice of Isola was spot on!
Set in the 15th century this historical fiction book follows the life of one young noblewoman forced to follow her guardian's edicts which sees her being abandoned on an isolated island off the coast of New France (aka early Canada).
Moving and inspiring, this novel showcases an incredible and indomitable will of a strong female character unwilling to give in when life throws her hardships.
I loved this on audio and would highly recommend to fans of books like The island of Blue dolphins. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
This was my first book by Trisha Sakhlecha and I enjoyed it quite a bit. While the remote Scottish island setting seems to be getting a3.5 rounded up.
This was my first book by Trisha Sakhlecha and I enjoyed it quite a bit. While the remote Scottish island setting seems to be getting a bit overplayed, it worked well with this domestic suspense thriller that involves a wealthy South Asian family whose adult children are fighting over their future inheritance. There's lots of secrets, lies and betrayals and even more losses, grief and regret as we slowly learn everyone's motives as the story unfolds, alternating POVs from the sisters. Good on audio and recommended for fans of books like The night of the storm by Nishita Parekh. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
CW: infertility, multiple miscarriages, loss of an infant/child...more
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