avigail's reviews
1144 reviews

 I liked the TV series Bones, which is based on the Temperance Brennan series, but there are differences. Our main character is in her 40s, a divorcee, a mother of a college-aged daughter, and the book's plot, Déjà Dead, takes place in Quebec, Canada.
Yes, there is violence and abuse as it is a police procedural, and it reminds the TV series.
The book is very authentic as the author, Kathy Reichs, is also a forensic anthropologist, and she knows how our main character, Temperance Brennan, works and the scientific jargon.
If you enjoy TV series like Bones or CSI and all those police procedurals, and you crave intelligent, female-led crime stories with a dash of forensic science and a healthy dose of intrigue, I believe you will like this book and this series.
I need to read a couple more books in the series to find out who is Detective Booth of the books. I have an idea, but I want to be sure.
I was surprised to find the book in a free little library in my town (the book will continue its journey in another free little library in my city). Also, a few months before I found the book, I heard in one of the podcasts I listen to that the TV series is based on the book and wanted to read it. 

 In the last couple of years, I like to finish the year with a book, and 2024 was no different than the previous years. This time, I picked a short novella because the books I was in the middle of wouldn't be completed before midnight of 12.31.2024.
I picked up A Holiday by Gaslight because it was a short list, and I heard about this book through a BookTube video. So, I remembered I had it on my Kindle, and it was an opportunity to finish a book I had for my TBR since November 2021.
Since New Year's Eve is part of the Holiday Season, why not read another book set in the Holiday Season?
A Holiday by Gaslight is a novella about lighthearted, slow-burning historical romances in the enchanting Victorian era. It has a dash of festive Christmas magic and a strong focus on the tender blossoming of love amidst the traditions and charm of the holiday season.
The novella has characters who are loveable and others who are despicable and think only about themselves; one of those characters is Sophie's father, who, in his mind, has to keep and modernize his estate with the money that he doesn't have, and even spending his daughter's dowry. He also demands that his daughter marry a wealthy bachelor so he can continue with the life he is used to having but cannot afford.
The only sensible members of the Appersett family are Sophie and her mother. I also appreciate Edward's understanding of the situation and his ability to manage it so that his feelings for Sophie are genuine and realistic.
I would have liked the story to be a little longer, but for the short story, I enjoyed it. 

 I am looking for short novels and novellas during the last days of the year. I was surprised to find a five-star in Sweet Bean Paste. It is a poignant and uplifting novel about the transformative power of friendship, the beauty of Japanese culture, and the resilience of the human spirit, making it a perfect fit for fans of character-driven fiction and literary explorations of hope and redemption.
2024 was a year that I read translated fiction, especially Japanese fiction. There were books that I wasn't fond of, but most of them were very well. One of those novels was Sweet Bean Paste, as it contains elements of friendship and found family. This short story (novella) has a lot of thought-provoking subjects that would be fantastic conversations for book clubs or buddy reads.
Pick up Sweet Bean Paste if you are willing to read about the burden of the past and the redemptive power of friendship. I read the book as an ebook but want a physical copy for my bookshelves. 

 Many readers have told me the Hush Note series is fantastic. This time, I have to tell you that the first installment of the series by Sarina Bowen is well done.
Lies & Lullabies is a heartwarming and romantic tale of second chances. It features a strong single mom protagonist, a charismatic rockstar love interest, and a small-town Maine setting that will transport them to a world of sweet serendipity and musical magic. Yes, it is a tale of a secret baby and a rockstar's return, but Kira can't keep the truth from Jonas, and I appreciate the author who didn't drag the story. Viv is adorable, and you can see that whoever she talks to falls in love with her.
In this novel, there is a complex emotional relationship. Lies & Lullabies appears to deliver on that front, weaving a narrative that explores the highs and lows of love and family with its contemporary romance and single-mom themes.
I look forward to reading the next series installment, Devney Perry's story of Quinn and Rebecca Yarros's story of Nixon. 

I had Always Mine on my TBR through KU since August 2022, and I wasn't in the mood to pick it up for some reason.
Yes, the premise of Always Mine is something that I would love. In a small town, from friends to lovers and grumpy sunshine, both main characters deal with things from their past with almost good communication. The secondary characters do a fantastic job of complementing and contradicting the actions of Vivian and Niko.
So, why am I giving such a low rating?
I appreciate the back story of both Niko and Honey Bee (Niko's nickname for Vivian), but having an open-door scene on every second page was too much for me. I can read spicy romance novels.
There were so many beautiful scenes between the relationship of Vivian and her family, as well as the found family that you see in the firefighter station. The Honey Mountain series has the potential to be a fantastic series, but if the following books are as spicy as the Always Mine, I think I will part my ways with this series here.

 

I started the Lovelight series with the second installment for two reasons: my bookstore didn't have the first book, and because of the book cover's color, I thought the plot takes place during the autumn months. So, I picked it up during the fall season (before December 21st).
While reading In the Weeds, we have the gruff but loveable Beckett, who is still reeling from his whirlwind encounter with social media influencer Evelyn St. James. Through the pages of the book, you can feel the sparks that fly between Evie & Beckett; at the same time, while Evie brings the sunshine into the small town of Inglewild, you have Beckett afraid that, once again, he will be left alone to mend his wounded heart.
In many scenes throughout the book, I felt the emotional tone of the second-chance romance; I was smiling with the banter between our two main characters and with the interference of the whole small town so that they could see Evie & Beckett's happy ending.
I appreciate the author, B.K. Borison, taking the time to write about the fatigue a social media influencer can experience, as can any other person in any other occupation. People take for granted that the life of a social media persona is quite simple, but the opposite is true. Yes, it has positive aspects and perks, but like any other job, it has not-so-happy moments. 

 I am new to the dark romance genre. Keep, even though it is part of the dark romance genre, has an MMC, Vasile, as the leader of the Romanian mob. On the one hand, he is taught to his people and the other gangs; on the other hand, towards the women population and children, he is a gentleman and a lamb.
Fawn, the MFC, is surprised by Vasile's behavior toward her because she was used to more violent and abusive behavior by David Ashmore, her previous "handler." Vasile sees Fawn as his woman and life partner from the first moment, even when he gives Fawn time to acclimate to her new life with or without him. It is interesting to see how two men with power show it differently to the people around them.
The author, Kaye Blue, gave a dark and intense tone. The mafia romance gives the emotional and dramatic tone of the plot. Sometimes, complex relationships and unexpected twists with an obsessive romance are a compelling read. 

Sometimes, it is nice to read a short novella. As I was in the mood for something short before bed and browsing through my Kindle e-books, I decided to pick up String of Hearts. It is a second chance for two widowers they have known since high school.
String of Hearts is a novella that weaves a tale of romance and growth, set against a charming plant shop and a radio show. Its themes of romance and plants offer a fresh and engaging take on the genre.
Graceann, Ryan's daughter, is the little matchmaker who pulls the thread for her father and Avery to return to the love life both Avery and Ryan deserve. The third act breakup is why I had to reduce a star; I don't think it is relevant in a short novella.
If you are looking for a short, clean novella with second-chance love and enjoy gardening and plants, I believe this book is for you. 

 I am glad that in 2024, I found Marie Force' 's writing and the Fatal and First Family series. Sam and Nick are a fantastic duo, and the whole cast of people around them.
While reading Fatal Consequences, you can see that politics is an ugly game, and the power it gives can make people greedy and blinded.
Fatal Consequences is a gripping mystery that combines politics, romance, and suspense. The plot of the third installment of the Fatal series features a complex web of secrets and lies that leads to a shocking crime. At the same time, the romantic subplot between Samantha and Nick adds a personal stake to the investigation.
Nick & Sam have problems from before they met, but they are based on honest communication, making them an influential couple in Washington, DC. Reading a book from the Fatal series made me want to pick the next book. Sam reminds me of Eve Dallas from the In Death series, and Nick reminds me of Roark. That is the reason I enjoy both series very much. 

The Rochester Trilogy is a retelling of Jane Eyre, and even though I gave the two previous installments of the trilogy 4 ⭐, I believe that the whole trilogy should have been one novel maximum of two.
Best Kept Secret is a novel about complex, emotional romance stories that explore themes of love, family, and protection, particularly for those who enjoy the forbidden aspects of a nanny-boss relationship and the excitement of a diverse, age-gap romance. On the other hand, Best Kept Secret promises and delivers a blend of forbidden attraction, secrets, and danger as Beau Rochester navigates his complicated past and growing feelings for Jane Mendoza, with its themes of nanny and boss, age gap, and diversity.
I liked Skye Warren's writing and will continue reading her work.