amateur_bookworm's reviews
587 reviews

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

My summary:

Olivia Prior has been at the Merliance boarding school since she was two years old, where she was left on the steps with nothing but her mother’s journal. Now 14, a letter arrives from an uncle summoning Olivia home to Gallant—the one place her mother’s journal warned her away from. Olivia has no choice but to go to Gallant despite her mother’s warning, but her dread is mixed with the promise of having a family and a home.

My thoughts:

Gallant by V. E. Schwab (a.k.a. Victoria Schwab) is a dark, young adult, fantasy standalone novel. This is not a genre that I typically read but I love Schwab’s writing so much that I wanted to read some of her backlist while waiting for her next release. Her writing is very lyrical and I enjoy the style of it.

I found this to be well written but a little creepier than I prefer my books to be. Overall I enjoyed it, but it’s just a bit outside of my comfort zone of the typical books that I read. A couple of the plot points were a bit hard to follow but it is worth the read.

I was first introduced to V. E. Schwab’s writing with the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and I adore that book so much. It was the first fantasy book that I had ever read and it opened the door for me to read and love other fantasy books since then. I have since read her Darker Shades of Magic trilogy and then her new spinoff of that series, The Fragile Threads of Power, which I especially enjoyed.

Content Warnings

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

My summary:

Evie Porter is newly dating Ryan Sumner, a business owner in a small town of Louisiana who is quite an eligible bachelor in his hometown. Much to the chagrin of the girls that are his friends, Evie appears to be a fixture in Ryan’s life now. But Evie is not who everyone thinks she is, and Ryan is hiding his own secrets.

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed this thriller! Every first impression I had of the main characters in play were completely wrong. And I really did not see any of the twists coming. Both of those add up to a satisfying suspense read for me.

Ashley Elston made the jump from YA novels to adult fiction with this book. I think this a great debut for her in this genre and I hope she writes more thrillers in the future.

I really enjoyed the twistiness of this one. I haven’t read many thrillers lately so I feel like I’m extra gullible and it actually makes for a really enjoyable reading experience. Although I wasn’t super satisfied by the ending, I think it’s an overall good read.

Content Warnings

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

My summary:

Daisy Jones and the Six follows a renowned 1970s rock band as they rise to fame and then recounts the events that led to their abrupt and infamous split while on tour. This is composed entirely of interviews of current and former members of the band, family, friends, and industry elite, as well as emails, transcripts, lyrics, and prior conversations, all woven together to recreate the events.

My thoughts:

I previously read Daisy Jones and the Six a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I know this is entirely fictional, but in my head it is definitely Fleetwood Mac. I really don’t know much actual history of the band, so I like to pretend this is a perfect retelling.

This audiobook has a full cast. I love Julia Whelan and she was the main narrator. The voices were all distinctive enough to follow along and know who is speaking. I was a bit concerned about how the unconventional writing style would come through as an audiobook and I think it is overall really great.

The entire audiobook feels like you’re sitting down and having a conversation with the band and other people that knew them. It was fun to listen along.

I just love Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks. I recently saw Stevie Nicks live in concert in May and I saw her play a tambourine live. Bucket list item checked off! Seeing her perform made me want to reread this book. And my favorite way now to do rereads is by listening to the audiobook version, and this was a really great way to experience this book.

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

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informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

My summary:

Cartel violence shatters Lydia’s serene life in Acapulco when her entire family is massacred at her niece’s quinceañera, leaving only her and her eight year old son, Luca, as survivors. Lydia’s husband, Sebastián, was a journalist covering the cartels in their state. And Lydia had unwittingly befriended a customer, Javier, in her bookstore who turned out to be the cartel leader. Sebastián just recently published an exposé of Javier being the head of the cartel. And now, in the wake of this tragedy, Lydia and Luca must leave everything behind and flee towards the US, the only place Lydia feels they may be safe from Javier’s reach.

My thoughts:

The horrific opening scene pulled me so deeply and immediately into this story. This book is tragic and heartbreaking and I was riddled with anxiety the entire time for Lydia and Luca, as well as the girls they meet along the way.

This was tough to read but also I could hardly put it down. It felt a bit like driving past a terrible car accident when you can’t help but stare at it.

This is not a light-hearted or feel-good story, but I was completely engrossed despite the macabre theme. It’s very insightful and there is a bit of hope woven through the tragedy. It’s a tough topic and it’s handled well. It really makes me more empathic to people fleeing the only lives they’ve ever known for a chance at a safer and better place.

Mostly, this book makes me really thankful to have the privilege of having been born in the US and lived here my entire life. As much as this country has become somewhat of a disgrace to me recently, this book is a pretty stark reminder that it’s still one of the safest countries in the world to live in. I definitely have a deeper appreciation of the struggle that migrants endure on their journey, knowing the odds are stacked against them to simply set foot on the soil in this country that I definitely take for granted.

Content Warnings

A False Start by Elsie Silver

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emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

My summary:

Nadia is 19 and her life is finally starting to come together. She’s recently moved in with her older brother after growing up with an abusive dad and she just got accepted into a veterinary tech program. Out at a bar, she ends up sharing a searing kiss with a stranger. A stranger who turns out to be Griffin, her brother’s one true friend. Griffin has his own demons from the past and usually keeps to himself. While the attraction between Nadia and Griffin is there, so is their baggage from their respective pasts.

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this book a lot. And the more I sit and think about it, the more I like it. I read this pretty quick. Both Nadia and Griffin really tugged on my heartstrings and I really wanted to see them make this work. It kept me turning the pages, that’s for sure. I think it’s a sweet ending to the Gold Rush Ranch series. (I definitely went back to read Powerless for the chapters that Jasper and Sloane were visiting. And, wow, this cottage sees some action.)

Also. Pour over coffee is delicious. The jokes about the complicated coffee had me laughing—but, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. My goal when I’m retired is to be Griffin’s mom making single cups of pour over coffee for everyone for an hour.

Elsie Silver has quickly become one of my favorite authors. And mostly I’m really sad that I’ve finished all of Elsie Silver’s books that she’s written to date. I love her writing style so much. I can’t wait for Wild Eyes to be out in September.

Content Warnings

The Front Runner by Elsie Silver

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

My summary:

Stefan Dalca is a new race horse

owner in Ruby Creek and generally hated by everyone, but especially by

the Gold Rush Ranch folks. Dr. Mira Thorne is the local vet and one of the only people in Ruby Creek who is civil with Stefan. When a Gold Rush Ranch horse needs help and Stefan’s farm is the answer, Mira becomes the intermediary. But one of Stefan’s terms is for Mira to go on three fake dates with him. After agreeing to the arrangement, it doesn’t take long for Mira to see that Stefan isn’t actually a bad guy—and the attraction is mutual.

My thoughts:

First of all, morally gray is one of my favorite colors. Especially in fictional men. And fake dating Public Enemy #1 in Ruby Creek? I’m here for this story.

I love how strong, confident and smart Mira is in this story. I appreciate the respect that Stefan shows Mira from day one in the books preceding this one in the series and throughout this book. And I can definitely relate to Mira being an introvert who gets adopted by an extrovert, Billie, to be best friends. I feel like this is actually the only way for an introvert to make friends.

I enjoyed Stefan’s connection with the foal in the story. Given his backstory, it really tugs on the heartstrings. And the introduction to Stefan’s sister, Nadia, is great in this book. I can’t wait to read her story next.

I did enjoy the overall story and I honestly related quite a bit to Mira. But I didn’t feel as invested in the outcome for Mira and Stefan in this story compared to how I’ve felt about Elsie Silver’s other fictional couples. It did leave me feeling like I’ve read a bit too many romance books in a row and am due for a genre switch. But I’m also getting sad that I only have one more Elsie Silver book left to read until her new book comes out in September.

Content Warnings

A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver

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emotional funny hopeful relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

My summary:

Violet Eaton left home to get out from under the thumb of her loving but overbearing dad and brothers. Working as a groom at Gold Rush Ranch, she was quickly promoted to jockey and already has some big wins under her belt as she forges ahead in making her own way in the world. Her only problem is Cole Harding, half owner of the ranch. The standoffish Cole has been beaten down by a tragic series of life events. As it becomes more difficult for Cole and Violet to avoid each other on the ranch, they have to face their history and attraction to each other.

My thoughts:

Cole Harding is without a doubt my favorite male main character that Elsie Silver has written. I know I haven’t read all of her books yet, but I’m confident it won’t change. My heart breaks for Cole. His past, his brokenness, all of it just really got to me throughout the whole book. I was rooting for him so hard as I read.

I love Elsie’s female characters. They are all so strong and such spitfires. And little Violet Eaton is no different. I also love that she’s the jockey, because I feel like that’s a great nod to women in a male dominated career. I also really enjoyed the flashbacks of the old internet chats at the start of chapters.

Content Warnings

Out of the Gate by Elsie Silver

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

My summary:

Ada Wilson grew up with a childhood crush on Dermot Harding, an older ranch hand on her parent’s ranch. And three years ago, Ada kissed him—and Dermot responded with nothing. Now freshly back from serving in the army for the last three years, Dermot has returned to Gold Rush Ranch. And as much as Ada has tried to move on, all of her old feelings have come rushing back. But perhaps Ada’s feelings are not as one sided as she thought.

My thoughts:

This is a novella in the Gold Rush Ranch series by Elsie Silver. It is the origin story of how Dermot and Ada’s relationship began, the grandparents of Cole and Vaughn Harding. I read it as book 1.5, between Out of the Gate and A Photo Finish, which I’m reading next.

I normally dislike novellas. But this didn’t feel like a novella, it feels like an actually developed story. Perhaps that it helps that I already know Dermot and Ada and Vaughn’s grandparents and ran the mining business and the horse racing ranch. But it didn’t feel as rushed and as incomplete as novellas normally feel for me.

Also, caught skinny dipping?!? Yeeeeessssssss. I’m here for it. I love this little sweet and spicy origin story of the family of the Gold Rush Ranch series. I feel like I read it in the perfect order, between Vaughn and Cole’s stories.

Off to the Races by Elsie Silver

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

My summary:

Vaughn Harding is reeling in the wake of his grandfather’s death and the allegations that his grandfather fixed horse races. Desperate to save the reputation of Gold Rush Ranch, the very same place his grandfather raised him, Vaughn wants to clear the ranch’s name. He starts by clearing house and hiring a new general manager, Hank. When Hank suggests bringing in an up-and-coming young horse trainer, Vaughn has no idea what he’s in for when the feisty Billie Black rolls into the ranch. Billie has spent the last decade escaping her own family drama, and just wants to train horses and win races. As both Vaughn and Billie try to put past family scandals to bed, fireworks erupt between them.

My thoughts:

I’m not sure I have a spirit animal, but I definitely have a spirit author—and it’s Elsie Silver. Her writing style is my favorite for romance books. Her female characters are strong, her language could make a sailor blush, and her spicy scenes are hot.

I love the fiery and feisty women that Elsie writes. And Billie Black is this and more! I love the fireworks between Vaughn and Billie when they first meet. It’s the complete opposite of a meet cute, and I am totally here for it.

Honestly, I found myself rooting for the love story between Billie and DD way more than with Billie and Vaughn. The connections we can have with animals is such a blessing. I have the world’s best Golden Retriever and it is easy to extrapolate my feelings for her to be similar to what Billie feels with DD. I was super emotional through all of the DD scenes!

I really enjoyed this book but it overall left me wanting a bit. The happily ever after was a little too abrupt and contrived for me. I liked the outcome, I just wish it hadn’t felt so rushed.

This is Elsie Silver’s debut novel. And it’s the seventh book I’ve read by her. I started with her newest, Wild Love, and absolutely loved it. Then I read the Chestnut Springs series and loved those books even more! I was nervous to read her debut series, because I know authors really change and develop their writing more with each book. But her debut novel is overall great and I’m excited to read the rest of this series while I wait for Wild Eyes to come out in September!

Content Warnings

Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

My summary:

Beth has spent weeks taking care of her mother, Laura, around the clock as Laura loses her battle with cancer. In her dying breath, her mother’s final words leave Beth with more questions than answers. As her brother, Michael, and sister, Nicole, return to their childhood home in the wake of their mother’s death, family secrets begin to be unearthed. And they each learn that sometimes you really don’t know the ones closest to you—or what secrets they keep.

My thoughts:

Good old fashioned peer pressure made me read this book. I kept seeing it everywhere, so here we are. I was also really in need of a genre switch from romance and this was a perfect palette cleanser for me.

I immediately felt pulled into this story. Jeneva Rose has a very descriptive writing style. It’s really insightful. I especially love all of her analogies as descriptions throughout the entire book.

I like the multiple POV storytelling, especially in a thriller or suspense book. It is interesting to see and hear each person’s side of the story. My heart just breaks for Beth and her mom’s death. I was immediately annoyed by Michael and his whole “holier than thou” complex. I couldn’t really relate to Nicole but I empathized with her. And as a mom with growing teenagers, I really FELT Laura’s first chapter.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I definitely recommend it as a good family secrets, small town, murder mystery. I do feel like I read it during a period of time where I was extra busy and I couldn’t devote as much attention to reading as I wanted. It would’ve been a much faster read for me typically than how long it took me to get through it, just because I felt like I never had time to sit and read it.

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amateur_bookworm's reviews 587 reviews

amateur_bookworm's reviews
587 reviews