rebeccasreadingrambles's reviews
2949 reviews

Unfortunately this one wasn't for me. I am really picky about "coming of age" type books and I wanted to read this for the intrigue, and yet that part was the most ho hum.  Her big secret was dramatic yes, but also revealed early on and basically her only personality trait? I just felt like everyone in the book talks reverently about Cate as if she is this amazing mystical person, and yet she fell sooooo flat for me. No personality at all, except that she used people and then cheated on them or left them, and then blamed them all for her problems.  Maybe I'm missing something, but I did not find this book all that interesting.  I do love the writing and honestly would LOVE to read the fictional novel that Cate "wrote". I appreciated the discussions of coming out, or realizing one's sexuality, which is ALWAYS fascinating and lovely to read about. I also appreciated the theme of how your childhood friendships and loves can really shape who you are forever, but again just most of it wasn't that interesting or novel for me.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed the different narrators, which helped the story keep moving.

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

I just had so much fun reading this book. It's stilly, sometimes almost over the top, but an easy read that kept me smiling the entire time. Even the dramatic part was quick and relatively painless, which is exactly what I was looking for.  Izzy and Blake are silly with lots of chemistry and honestly great at being friends which made the banter really pop.  Loved the meet cute and the relationship that developed.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it!

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

This book... was a lot. I am so glad I read it and so glad that I waited for the right mental space to do so because it does have a lot of philosophizing and also a lot of history that isn't fully explained, so I needed to be ready to not only fully concentrate and be an real participant in the story, but I also had to do some research while reading. I adored the Count and the thing that shines the most in this book are the CHARACTERS.  They are brilliant, vivid, so well created and depicted and more than once I had tears in my mind, or was cheering for a full circle moment.  Who knew a story about someone under house arrest in a hotel could have an enviable life surrounded by people who become family.  I just enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would. It had so many emotional and hilarious moments and the ending had me on the edge of my seat!!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend that!

I adored this book! Harriet from the start is such a great MC; striking out as a female detective and breaking so many societal norms in her quest to be her authentic self. There is SO much to love in this book, from exploring the gay underground community, the look into the Polish community in Chicago, a hilarious and unexpected friendship all integrated into a shocking mystery with lots of drama and action. I also so enjoyed meeting her brother and how that relationship is becoming stronger. The writing was funny and endearing and I could not put this down.

I loved every page of this book!  I cannot wait for more of Harriet!

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

DNF at 23% because of the atrocious way the parents are treating the small children. Being a parent of small children right now, all I've done was rage so I've decided to stop. I want to punch all these adults.

Queen Feeney! Wow this book was amazing. The most perfectly atmosphere, creepy, confusing, frustrating, enthralling thriller I’ve read in a while. I never knew what to think, what to trust, and the MCs feeling of losing his mind made me feel so off kilter. No spoilers but this book BLEW ME AWAY. I am shocked and obsessed.

You MUST listen to the audiobook! For the narrators’ emoting to heighten the atmosphere and for the perfectly timed sound effects.

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

Unreal! I loved this book so much.  This book had so many aspects to love. From the amazing characters, the easy to follow and unique magic structure, the warrior training troupe but done in the best and intriguing way, a spark of romance, and surprising and creative magical creatures.  The writing was beautiful and swept me away instantly.  There are so many things that this book examined, but without spoilers, I just love the character development and all the twists. I love the women taking back their strength and their identities. I love the men who are not afraid of stronger women. I loved the ending and the secrets and I cannot wait for more!

Note: You MUST try to the audiobook! It's so fantastic.

Well this was quite fun! As an energetic, ambitious, but a bit over the top and clumsy person - I completely related to Miriam! I also relate on so many levels to feeling like you have to prove yourself just because some asshat is trying to discredit you, or because of your gender. She is flawed and makes mistakes, but she is also fierce and smart and funny. I love an adventure story and this one plus the romance was easy to fly through! The twists were gasp worthy, the danger and escapes, and the ending had me perfectly content.

Although this was the 2nd in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone (though I will say it made me realllly want to go back and read the first one).

Note: I listened to the audiobook and the dual narration was fab!

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

This book made me feel so many things. Some people should not be parents. Don't treat your kids like things that need to be perfect. Ask kids what they want/need and LISTEN TO THEM. Oh and the portrayal of people adopting children form other countries, bringing them back and trying to remove all their history and culture and everything - just despicable and heartbreaking!
Oh Nadya you sweet girl, I wanted to hug her the entire time and it filled me with so much joy when she found her door. I also love the water and so I related so much to her love of that and the turtles! Her world was truly amazing. Thank goodness this book comes later in the series so I know what else happens to her (from previous books) because I am so invested in her future!

Note: As always, I read this via audiobook and the narration was fabulous.

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

Wow I LOVED this book. Even more crazy and interesting than the summary suggests. The characters are amazing, the sci-fi premise and the TWISTS - amazing. And there are a lot of action, chase and evade type scenes to keep your heart pumping. I never wanted to put this book down and will be thinking about it for a long time.

Note; this is book 2 in the series, which I did not realize, but I had no trouble jumping in (tho now I really want to go back and read book 1).

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