rebeccasreadingrambles's reviews
2949 reviews

Another really fun book in this series.  This is a wedding mystery, which always makes me feel so bad for these poor characters, but also makes for an extra dramatic story.  I loved all the twists and was completely stumped then entire time. Also, I love seeing Felicity and Kelvin's friendship through the lens of the sleuthing. I still can't decide how I feel about their relationship because I don't see much romantic sparking, and kind of hope they stay sleuthing friends! I was shocked by some personal reveals in Felicity's life and think she handles them so well.

My favorite part of this book and series is the baking magic. Though we do see a tiny bit less than the first book (which makes sense because that one set the scene) I did enjoy the use of the fortunes and seeing Felicity really come into her own with the baking magic. 

Thanks to the publishers for a free copy; my thoughts and reviews are my own.

No spoilers but WOW. I loved it.  The best book of the series. I am broken. The way this author brought out so many emotions in me, with visceral reactions, is amazing.  It has quests (literally my favorite part)! I loved the friendships and the relationships and all of the characters that shone. I loved getting to know characters better that we haven't really focused on before.  The secrets, drama, romance, puzzles, action were non-stop. THE DRAGONS.

Just remember this is romantasy. If you're in it straight for the fantasy vibes, this might not be for you because the romance is definitely a big driver. It has romantic ANGST and drama and back and forth and obstacles and yes it might drive you crazy, but that's kinda the point since it's only book 3!

Amazing. All the stars.

I can see why so many people love this book, but it’s just not for me. I could not connect with any of the characters and it just seemed to jump in and around so quickly. I could not understand why they were so obsessed with Drew immediately and let her into all their secrets and safe spaces without even basically taking to her. They give her a company and a building and all this unfettered access, but don’t know anything about her at all. I did love the care they put into teacher her to read, but then they give her all this power, but actually tell her nothing at all… like she got bits and pieces of info from some of her new coworkers. They explain nothing and she is constantly confused. And the way the brothers use her as a tool to get back at each and she gets yelled at and blamed for things she doesn’t even know what’s going on .

This one just was too jumpy and overly “mysterious” for me, especially because I just didn’t connect with the characters so I was missing that emotional connection to keep my interested.

Oh how I adored this book. The idea of Ricky’s shop full of vintage cookbooks and cookware is somewhere I would immediately visit and the whole New Orleans setting was incredibly cozy and welcoming. I really want to visit Bon Vee - these are the type of fun historical places that I love to visit. It seems like my NOLA trip might be coming sooner than I anticipated.

The mystery, the characters and the twists were fantastically plotted. There were so many different things going on, but it was easy to follow along all the drama. I am proud of Ricky for not only trying to succeed with her new business, but also to look out for neighbors and put in effort to deal with less charitable colleagues. She is level headed, smart, savy, and someone I can't wait to follow for more sleuthing. I need to know more about Ricky's past. I already cannot wait to return to Bon Vee!

Ann Patchett has such a way with words. When I started I did not think I would be moved to quietly cry at the end, but I did. My heart just feels so full from this novel. An ordinary story about ordinary people moving through life.  But the way the author tells the story, they feel extraordinary and I think it's because their emotions and decisions just all feel so relatable.  They way life can take you in so many unexpected places, but also come full circle in unexpected ways.  Just so engrossing and delightful; even keeled even in the most dramatic times.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and it feels like this book was written for Tom Hanks to tell the story.  Absolute perfection.

Ok wow. This book was A LOT.  CLUE is my favorite board game AND my favorite movie, so when I saw the Clue game board-inspired map, I knew I was going to be hooked. And I was - immediately.  A secluded writers retreated hosted by a mysterious, but ultra famous host?  Yet unkown connections and secrets and games to be played, puzzled to be figured out? Yes.

And then WHAM it is so much more. SO much more. This thriller boarded closer to horror than I usually like, but I was so ensconced into the story that it only made me semi-grossed out.  I will say, I REGRET reading this at night, because I did not get a good night's sleep any of the days I was reading.

Completely unpredictable, amazing characters and character ARCS, perfect pacing and an intricately laid out story that moved from POV to POV at just the right moments to keep you guessing and dying for answers.

Yes, this needs to be on your TBR.... I will be scared... I mean thinking about this one for a long time.

Thanks to the publishers for an eARC; my thoughts and review and my own!

DNF at 30%. I love the concept of this book and the flashbacks to show how the world is starting to collapse thanks to climate change. As a NYer, we often talk about how the island will one day be under water and how glad we are that we are "uphill".  However, this book was just too monotonous and slow for what I was hoping for.

Thanks to the publisher for a free audiobook copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

This series is such a comfort. When I need a virtual hug, I know that spending just a few hours with these characters who have become their own found family will bring me laughs, and comfort no matter what shenanigans they get into. I did miss Pat in this book. It was also surprisingly tender and a bit heartbreaking,  it I’m hoping for maybe some joy returning for those characters in the next book.

Note - I always listen to the audiobook and they are perfectly done. 

WOW. I sat on the floor and ugly cried at the end of this book (and cried so many times during) so that tells you how I feel. I don't even know how to review this book and I don't want to give one single thing away. 

But THIS is how books should make you feel. 

All the emotions, all the angst, and passion, and longing, not just towards a person but for a life, for an achievement, for so many things.  The different character relationships are so complex and perfectly crafted.  The story progressed at the PERFECT pace and the writing was superb; bringing out all the right feelings and never letting go.  I could NOT stop reading it and I am feeling so many things now. I want to read it again for the first time.  

I am OBSESSED, one of the best books I HAVE EVER READ.

THE AUDIOBOOK IS NOT TO BE MISSED. It is full cast, it is perfect, the best full cast I've ever listened to.

Thanks to the publishers for a free audiobook to review; my thoughts and review are my own.

This book was like taking a knotted necklace chain or ball of yarn and carefully picking it apart to find that it's actually so many strands disguised as one.  I LOVE how Poirot chips away at a mystery and knows when something is significant or not.  The way he carefully teased the clues apart was so much fun to watch. And the characters in this one were superb.  I was shocked SO many times and loved the ending!

Note: I loved the audiobook!