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booksbytheglass's reviews
851 reviews
The Right Move by Liz Tomforde
emotional
lighthearted
sad
slow-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
3.5
I’m thinking this series just isn’t for me … I love a good sports romance, so I’m super sad that I’m not as into it as I thought I was going to be 😕
indy is a ball of sunshine and even though her personality can be a lot sometimes, she has a heart of gold and deserves the best!! even though she has a dysfunctional brain that tells her otherwise (relatable girl)
and on the flip side, ryan is a broody closed-off superstar basketball star - until he meets indy, of course. I just wanted to shake him by the shoulders and tell him to get over himself sometimes though 🙄 insecurities are one thing, refusing to communicate is another y’all
I did really enjoy the ups and downs of ryan and indy’s friendship turned relationship and how they tackled read world emotions and problems together. and of course, seeing stevie and zanders again was super cute!
I just wish that every romance story wasn’t SO focused on getting pregnant, getting married, and starting a family like that is the only way to have a future with someone…
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: long island chardonnay
indy is a ball of sunshine and even though her personality can be a lot sometimes, she has a heart of gold and deserves the best!! even though she has a dysfunctional brain that tells her otherwise (relatable girl)
and on the flip side, ryan is a broody closed-off superstar basketball star - until he meets indy, of course. I just wanted to shake him by the shoulders and tell him to get over himself sometimes though 🙄 insecurities are one thing, refusing to communicate is another y’all
I did really enjoy the ups and downs of ryan and indy’s friendship turned relationship and how they tackled read world emotions and problems together. and of course, seeing stevie and zanders again was super cute!
I just wish that every romance story wasn’t SO focused on getting pregnant, getting married, and starting a family like that is the only way to have a future with someone…
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: long island chardonnay
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
we are not worthy of rebecca ross and her gorgeous writing!!! I thought there were forever favorite quotes in DIVINE RIVALS but boy!!! the amount of times I either teared up at a quote or tabbed multiple times per page was unbelievable 😭🫶🏼 I am seriously in awe
I’m in love with roman and iris so much 🥹 and after the super rude cliffhanger of DIVINE RIVALS, I’m very happy with how their story continued!! it was raw and real in a wartime romance saga, and while they did spend the majority of the book apart (crying in da club), it made the moments they had together even sweeter!!
the second installment of rebecca ross’s duology is definitely more focused on the war and the ethics of the gods - but this world is so beautifully written that I found myself completely enraptured by it!
rebecca’s writing style blends together not just roman and iris’s story, but all of the side characters too!! I loved seeing attie and marisol again pls I want spin offs of them and their families
these two books are among the most beautiful writing on my bookshelf 🥹🥹 everyone needs to read these thanks!!! just be ready for the inevitable ✨ emotional damage ✨
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: chablis white wine
I’m in love with roman and iris so much 🥹 and after the super rude cliffhanger of DIVINE RIVALS, I’m very happy with how their story continued!! it was raw and real in a wartime romance saga, and while they did spend the majority of the book apart (crying in da club), it made the moments they had together even sweeter!!
the second installment of rebecca ross’s duology is definitely more focused on the war and the ethics of the gods - but this world is so beautifully written that I found myself completely enraptured by it!
rebecca’s writing style blends together not just roman and iris’s story, but all of the side characters too!! I loved seeing attie and marisol again pls I want spin offs of them and their families
these two books are among the most beautiful writing on my bookshelf 🥹🥹 everyone needs to read these thanks!!! just be ready for the inevitable ✨ emotional damage ✨
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: chablis white wine
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
it’s a miracle!!!! a rachel hawkins book I actually enjoyed!!!!
okay this gave me seven husbands of evelyn hugo if it was a murder mystery vibes ☠️ like ruby was THAT bitch and I was so here for supporting women’s rights AND wrongs!!
I’m all for a twisty turning family drama mystery - and this one had all of it combined! while this was a very character forward mystery, I didn’t mind one bit, and in fact, I quite prefer characterization when it comes to these kind of mysteries!!
the plot itself progressed at a medium pace, flipping back and forth between married couple jules and cameron in present day and letters written by ruby in the past! and while I did guess most of the twists early on, they were not obvious in the slightest and enjoyed watching them play out
similar to other family thrillers, my favorite parts were getting to the bottom of what makes the characters tick, and boy was this family unhinged at best 😳
this is definitely rachel hawkins’s best so far! I’m so happy this was a win to start off 2024!
thank you to netgalley and st martin’s press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! this one’s out next week!!!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: dom perignon rosé champagne (iykyk)
okay this gave me seven husbands of evelyn hugo if it was a murder mystery vibes ☠️ like ruby was THAT bitch and I was so here for supporting women’s rights AND wrongs!!
I’m all for a twisty turning family drama mystery - and this one had all of it combined! while this was a very character forward mystery, I didn’t mind one bit, and in fact, I quite prefer characterization when it comes to these kind of mysteries!!
the plot itself progressed at a medium pace, flipping back and forth between married couple jules and cameron in present day and letters written by ruby in the past! and while I did guess most of the twists early on, they were not obvious in the slightest and enjoyed watching them play out
similar to other family thrillers, my favorite parts were getting to the bottom of what makes the characters tick, and boy was this family unhinged at best 😳
this is definitely rachel hawkins’s best so far! I’m so happy this was a win to start off 2024!
thank you to netgalley and st martin’s press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! this one’s out next week!!!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: dom perignon rosé champagne (iykyk)
The Night of the Storm by Nishita Parekh
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
what a fabulous debut thriller to start off 2024!! I was a little nervous going into this one after reading all of the mediocre reviews, but I firmly enjoyed it!
I’m a super fan of the locked door thriller, so having this one set in the middle of a slowly flooding house in a hurricane was the perfect setting 😮💨 it set the tone for paranoia and claustrophobia very well
jia, the narrator, was not my favorite character as literally all of the family drama could have been solved with a single conversation … and her reasoning for “waiting until the right time” was solely because she was trying to minimize the fallback on herself more than anything
that being said, I really loved the drama of a multi-generational indian family!! the dynamics of each character were wonderfully written, that even if there were no thriller elements, I would have still enjoyed it
while the thriller plot played out predictably, I really did enjoy the journey!! if you’re into character focused mysteries, definitely give this one a go!
thank you to netgalley and penguin random house for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review ☺️
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: sula rasa cabernet sauvignon
I’m a super fan of the locked door thriller, so having this one set in the middle of a slowly flooding house in a hurricane was the perfect setting 😮💨 it set the tone for paranoia and claustrophobia very well
jia, the narrator, was not my favorite character as literally all of the family drama could have been solved with a single conversation … and her reasoning for “waiting until the right time” was solely because she was trying to minimize the fallback on herself more than anything
that being said, I really loved the drama of a multi-generational indian family!! the dynamics of each character were wonderfully written, that even if there were no thriller elements, I would have still enjoyed it
while the thriller plot played out predictably, I really did enjoy the journey!! if you’re into character focused mysteries, definitely give this one a go!
thank you to netgalley and penguin random house for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review ☺️
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: sula rasa cabernet sauvignon
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Infertility
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
oh wow!!!! I have no idea what I was expecting, other than a similar style to THE APPEAL - and I’m so glad to be proven both right and wrong at the same time 😮💨
keeping the genius style of describing the case through emails, interviews and texts, the focus on a true crime (fictional in terms of the story) upped the level of the drama and plot! by leaning on a cold case with gruesome consequences, the stakes were so much higher, and I felt like janice created a much more serious tone rather than the cozy vibes of THE APPEAL
and the plot itself had me absolutely mind-blown!! it had the elements of a spooky horror novel but transformed into a divine novel, letting the reader question whether the events of the story are truly mystical or whether there’s an explanation for it all
and can we talk about that ending?? I was shocked
amanda was the perfect investigative MC to follow, and while the book itself was so long, it didn’t feel like it at all - I binged it in two days! this is definitely one that I’m going to want to re-read and look for everything I missed the first time 🤯🤯🤯
a huge thank you to netgalley and atria / simon and schuster for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!! my favorite janice novel yet!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: left bank bordeaux blend
keeping the genius style of describing the case through emails, interviews and texts, the focus on a true crime (fictional in terms of the story) upped the level of the drama and plot! by leaning on a cold case with gruesome consequences, the stakes were so much higher, and I felt like janice created a much more serious tone rather than the cozy vibes of THE APPEAL
and the plot itself had me absolutely mind-blown!! it had the elements of a spooky horror novel but transformed into a divine novel, letting the reader question whether the events of the story are truly mystical or whether there’s an explanation for it all
and can we talk about that ending?? I was shocked
amanda was the perfect investigative MC to follow, and while the book itself was so long, it didn’t feel like it at all - I binged it in two days! this is definitely one that I’m going to want to re-read and look for everything I missed the first time 🤯🤯🤯
a huge thank you to netgalley and atria / simon and schuster for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!! my favorite janice novel yet!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: left bank bordeaux blend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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? No
3.5
molly the maid is back!! and she’s just as quirky, fun, and wholesome as ever! while I still prefer the original story, this was a fun and easy read!
yet another series of unfortunate events has befallen the regency grand hotel where molly works, and it’s up to her to solve the case properly!! I loved seeing how she opened up to her coworkers and friends a bit more, and even to detective stark (believing molly? what a concept!)
while I didn’t feel the mystery was as strong this time around, it was an easy and enjoyable ride! I loved how this story delved a lot into molly’s past and how her grandmother introduced her to the world of housekeeping!
nita prose writes molly’s POV so perfectly, and I’m looking forward to more adventures with molly! thank you to netgalley and ballantine books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: willamette pinot noir
yet another series of unfortunate events has befallen the regency grand hotel where molly works, and it’s up to her to solve the case properly!! I loved seeing how she opened up to her coworkers and friends a bit more, and even to detective stark (believing molly? what a concept!)
while I didn’t feel the mystery was as strong this time around, it was an easy and enjoyable ride! I loved how this story delved a lot into molly’s past and how her grandmother introduced her to the world of housekeeping!
nita prose writes molly’s POV so perfectly, and I’m looking forward to more adventures with molly! thank you to netgalley and ballantine books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 3.5 stars
wine pairing: willamette pinot noir
If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
alex finlay is BACK!!! after the disappointing WHAT HAVE WE DONE, I’m so happy that the king of plot twists and on your toes thrillers has redeemed himself and more with his fourth novel! and it may even be my new favorite!
this was such a fast-paced, heart-pounding story that I binged it in one night because I simply could not put it down until I had all of the answers!! what I love about alex’s writing is that you never quite know what kind of curveball he might throw next, and just when the reader falls into a sense of false predictability, everything changes 🤯
when I first started, I was a bit overwhelmed by the huge cast of characters, especially as I had no idea how they all fit in with each other. however, looking back, it was the perfect way to introduce the reader to the elaborate plot!
while I went into this story thinking it was going to be about ryan trying to prove his innocence that he didn’t unalive his girlfriend, that was only the tip of the iceberg folks!! buckle up for a wild ride!!
thank you to netgalley and minotaur for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: tuscany cabernet sauvignon
this was such a fast-paced, heart-pounding story that I binged it in one night because I simply could not put it down until I had all of the answers!! what I love about alex’s writing is that you never quite know what kind of curveball he might throw next, and just when the reader falls into a sense of false predictability, everything changes 🤯
when I first started, I was a bit overwhelmed by the huge cast of characters, especially as I had no idea how they all fit in with each other. however, looking back, it was the perfect way to introduce the reader to the elaborate plot!
while I went into this story thinking it was going to be about ryan trying to prove his innocence that he didn’t unalive his girlfriend, that was only the tip of the iceberg folks!! buckle up for a wild ride!!
thank you to netgalley and minotaur for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: tuscany cabernet sauvignon
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I am obsessed with alex michaelides and everything he writes!!! and he certainly took a chance on the play-writing narrative style of elliot! while I’m not completely sold on the change of writing style (if something’s not broke, don’t fix it vibes), I did really enjoy this one…
diving into the world of mystery and unreliable narrators, I always know I’m in for a time-twisty, don’t believe anything a single character says thriller when it comes to alex’s stories. this one didn’t pack as much of a punch as his others, as the plot twists were smaller, more predictable, and methodical in the writing. I wanted that final gut-wrenching moment at the end 😭
the cast of completely twisted and unlikable characters was such a joy!!! and to go through this plot as a character study was a marvelous way to show how skewed personalities and characteristics can be in the eyes of the narrator 👏🏼👏🏼
I was firmly in the 3-3.5 star club at the end of the book, but then I read the epilogue!!!! and I’m reminded again why alex michaelides is a genius wow
I really applaud alex for taking a risk on this one, but in the end, I’m not quite sure if it was worth deviating from his traditional writing style or not…
thank you to celadon books for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: greek assyrtiko
diving into the world of mystery and unreliable narrators, I always know I’m in for a time-twisty, don’t believe anything a single character says thriller when it comes to alex’s stories. this one didn’t pack as much of a punch as his others, as the plot twists were smaller, more predictable, and methodical in the writing. I wanted that final gut-wrenching moment at the end 😭
the cast of completely twisted and unlikable characters was such a joy!!! and to go through this plot as a character study was a marvelous way to show how skewed personalities and characteristics can be in the eyes of the narrator 👏🏼👏🏼
I was firmly in the 3-3.5 star club at the end of the book, but then I read the epilogue!!!! and I’m reminded again why alex michaelides is a genius wow
I really applaud alex for taking a risk on this one, but in the end, I’m not quite sure if it was worth deviating from his traditional writing style or not…
thank you to celadon books for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: greek assyrtiko
A Winter in New York by Josie Silver
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I went into this one with low expectations because of the mediocre reviews and the fame that comes with josie silver’s name, but I’m beyond happy to prove them all wrong and say how much I loved this one 🥹
I’m way more into emo romance than romcom hallmark vibes - and this book delivered that and more!! and yes, I teared up at the new york park scene okay
I was a big fan of iris and her way of processing trauma and grief (mostly because it’s very similar to how I also process lol)… the blend between wanting to preserve the memories and make new ones is SO hard, and I think josie did a wonderful job capturing that!
the miscommunication and secret keeping was very annoying at times, but I appreciated how josie wasn’t just keeping them for herself but because it wasn’t her secret to share. and honestly, the characters who made her feel differently were very selfish 🙄
I could read books about this entire found new york family!!!! give me a series about robin and bobby and I’d be a happy bean forever okay
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: bordeaux red blend
I’m way more into emo romance than romcom hallmark vibes - and this book delivered that and more!! and yes, I teared up at the new york park scene okay
I was a big fan of iris and her way of processing trauma and grief (mostly because it’s very similar to how I also process lol)… the blend between wanting to preserve the memories and make new ones is SO hard, and I think josie did a wonderful job capturing that!
the miscommunication and secret keeping was very annoying at times, but I appreciated how josie wasn’t just keeping them for herself but because it wasn’t her secret to share. and honestly, the characters who made her feel differently were very selfish 🙄
I could read books about this entire found new york family!!!! give me a series about robin and bobby and I’d be a happy bean forever okay
rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: bordeaux red blend
The Christmas Fix by Lucy Score
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
a 5 star holiday romance read before christmas?? it’s a christmas miracle y’all 🥹❤️
as a self-proclaimed HGTV addict, I couldn’t get enough of this story!!! leading home improvement lady, cat, wants to give back this holiday by helping to rebuild the town of merry after it got devastated by a hurricane - and the only thing standing in her way is the town grumpy mayor, noah, who wants to protect his town from the paparazzi 🙄
okay it took me a while to warm up to noah’s personality because I mean… turning down financial aid for your town solely because you have a grudge against the woman giving it? seems too petty for a mayor 🤷🏼♀️
but while this gives off major hallmark vibes, it was anything but cheesy!! the enemies to lovers vibes between noah and cat were on point from their bickering and quips to the eventual spice and cuteness
and the entire cast of characters were everything to me 🥹 I wanted so much more from the town, from sara (noah’s fashion obsessed daughter), from the neighbors, and even from gannon and paige!!
this was the perfect warm and cozy vibe I needed from a holiday book this season!!!
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: mulled wine (using merlot)
as a self-proclaimed HGTV addict, I couldn’t get enough of this story!!! leading home improvement lady, cat, wants to give back this holiday by helping to rebuild the town of merry after it got devastated by a hurricane - and the only thing standing in her way is the town grumpy mayor, noah, who wants to protect his town from the paparazzi 🙄
okay it took me a while to warm up to noah’s personality because I mean… turning down financial aid for your town solely because you have a grudge against the woman giving it? seems too petty for a mayor 🤷🏼♀️
but while this gives off major hallmark vibes, it was anything but cheesy!! the enemies to lovers vibes between noah and cat were on point from their bickering and quips to the eventual spice and cuteness
and the entire cast of characters were everything to me 🥹 I wanted so much more from the town, from sara (noah’s fashion obsessed daughter), from the neighbors, and even from gannon and paige!!
this was the perfect warm and cozy vibe I needed from a holiday book this season!!!
rating: 5 stars
wine pairing: mulled wine (using merlot)