xandra_lyn's reviews
524 reviews

The Return of Kris Kringle by Caroline Mickelson

lighthearted fast-paced

2.0

I've liked the other ones in this series, but there were some major red flags regarding the guy in this one. First, he lied to her about his wealth. The author could have made it about him not wanting to have a woman want him for his wealth, but instead she made it all about the female MC (Kris) being upset about not paying for her half of their restaurant on her own.

But all that happens before the book even starts. The biggest red flag is that Kris loves to eat healthy and wants to introduce healthy foods to the North Pole. The male MC (Kyle) is constantly undermining her and re-writing the menus without her knowledge. This is such a major red flag, and I'm so outraged that this is just glossed over.

I gave it a two because the setting - as always - is cute.

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Apple Mind by Katie Richards

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Poetry isn't my first language, so I had to read this twice. I would consider it more comolicated poetry than the average person usually reads, but you shouldn't let that scare you! After the first read through, I would have given it a 4.5 because of this; after the second, I gave it full stars.

After the first read through, I knew it was haunting and special. The poems center around a woman who's having marital difficulties in the midst of raising two children diagnosed with autism. The author doesn't back down from hard feelings, but there's also a tenderness woven throughout.

It wasn't until the second read through where the garden metaphors really stood out to me and cinched everything together. The garden is used to talk about the difficult dichotomies in marriage - the decay and regrowth that occur when trials come.

The threads of the poems are woven together so beautifully. This difficult topic is treated with a rawness and dignity and vulnerability that is incredible to experience. It's hopeful and tender, yet doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. It's such a beautiful and hopeful ode, and I can't wait to read more from this author!

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Mezo: The Battle of Cobán Rock, Volume 2 by Michael Moccio

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This was grittier than the first one. I also got the ick from the much older Vuh wanting the slave girl azeillya. And now that she's his empress, it made it that much more of an ick.

I didn't understand why Kyma completely abandoned the battle plan they had. I felt like all the characters made baffling decisions, and I'm even more upset because the third volume isn't out yet. As of Nov 2024, only the first and second issues have been published.

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Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys by Liz Ireland

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Such a good, light-hearted, thanksgiving story! It balances the thanksgiving theme with the plot really nicely. I love the santaland series, and this was a really great addition.

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Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew about the Bible by Michael F Bird

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challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is such a great read, especially for anyone who is deconstructing but wanting to hold onto their faith. It is "evangelical" but NOT fundamentalist, which is critical to understand. I believe the author is Anglican, but I could be wrong.

The Thanksgiving Scrooge: A Good with Numbers Holiday Novella by Rose Bak

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.

This was an enemies to lovers trope, which I hate. If I'd known going in, I wouldn't have picked it up. That being said, i have read enemies to lovers before, and none of them have been as awful as this.

Lana explicitly says she thinks Ian is arrogant and wants to punch him every time she sees him. She's attracted to him, but actively avoids him because she thinks he's a jerk. But Ian forces her into a kiss twice and then shows up early in the morning at her house. I stopped reading at that point, but throughout the book, she epeatedly tells him verbally and non-verbally (i.e. ignoring him) that she doesn't want to be around him.

I just found it so offensive that a woman repeatedly says and implies no, but the man forces it, and it's billed as a "romance." That's not romance, it's assault.

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Fakesgiving by Kat Baxter

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lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

Cute, sexy story for thanksgiving. A little too many f words causally thrown in for my taste. And the wrap up with her sister was kind of odd - she was portrayed as a real b****, but then the author tried to turn it around, but it just made it kinda confusing

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