Kiwiria's May Reads
Jun. 1st, 2021 04:02 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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christianreaderBoyfriend Material - Alexis Hall, 4/5, 427 pages
Really cute, funny and charming book! I read a large bit of it in the middle of the night while I couldn't sleep, and literally had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing out loud and waking up my husband.
Another faux-romance and totally predictable, but the characters were (mostly) so likeable and (with one notable exception) relatable, that it was a pleasure to read all the same, and I finished the book in no time. I loved Lucien's found family, and how he started to thrive, once he actually started to believe that he deserved it.
I would have preferred a bit more closure regarding Oliver's family, but that's a minor nitpick in an otherwise very satisfying read.
In the Shadow of Spindrift House - Mira Grant, 3/5, Audiobook ~4hrs
At only 4h15m it's a lot closer to a novella than a novel. Others have called it Lovecraftian in style, but since I've never read anything by him, I couldn't say :-PI liked it alright, but found it a lot bleaker than most of Mira Grant's other books - and that's saying something. The narrator (Jesse Vilinsky) was REALLY good though.
God, Where Are You? - John Bevere, 3/5, 159 pages
I bought this because I really enjoyed the YouVersion Bibel reading plan based on it. Unfortunately, the reading plan had all the best points, and I didn't really feel like it improved any from having those points elaborated on.
It was good - but never became personal. I never really connected to the teachings, which means that it'll unfortunately likely turn out to be very forgettable.
Her Second Chance Billionaire Sweetheart - Bree Livingston, 3/5, Audiobook ~6hrs
I loved the first book in this series, but while this second one was still cute, it didn't have that extra something (okay, okay - a cruise!) to make it stand above and beyond most other chick-lits, so I don't if I'll continue on with the third book in the series. The three books can be read independently of each other as there's very, very little overlap.
That said, it was still cute. I really liked both Grayson and Emma, and enjoyed Emma's sister being so very big-sisterly to both of them. I liked that the "mystery" of Grayson's leaving wasn't left a mystery to the reader for long, and that Grayson actually decided to confide in somebody... even if that 'somebody' wasn't the person it ought to have been. I also liked that Emma's father wasn't the villain he was made out to be, and ended up accepting Grayson for other reasons than just because he'd ended up making something out of himself.
As romances go, it's a dime a dozen, but it was still a good comfort read... even if it couldn't quite live up to the expectations set by the first one.
Over the Woodward Wall - A. Deborah Baker, 2.5/5, 204 pages
Unfortunately I wasn't too impressed. It was okay, but even though it had no proper resolution, I don't actually think I'll read more of this series. I can't put a finger on what was wrong with it, because it was well-written, and I liked the characters alright - it just wasn't for me.
In style, it was very "absurd fairytale" - reminiscent of "Alice in Wonderland" more than anything else. (Which also happens to be one of the few cases, where I like the movie better than the book).
Don't You Forget About Me - Mhairi McFarlane, 4/5, 433 pages
Very fun and satisfying read. Definite chick-lit, but with polished enough characters to not make it complete fluff. I loved seeing Georgina stand up for herself and grow a spine, and really enjoyed seeing how her relationship with her sister evolved.
The Flatshare - Beth O'Leary*, 5/5, Audiobook ~10hrs
Loved it just as much the second time around. Would have liked to see what happened to Justin (seems like he got off too easily), but that's a minor nitpick.
Blue Smoke - Nora Roberts*, 3.5/5, 440 pages
For the first 75% of the book, it was turning out to be a strong 4-star book. Everything as readable as Nora Roberts' other books and a true page-turner. I loved reading about Reena's work and her strong connections to her family - both blood and chosen.
But the last 25% got to be too much. It was too violent, it was too graphic, it was just too over the top. So that seriously detracted from my enjoyment of the end, and thus of the entire book.
The Hitman's Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot - Alice Winters, 4/5, Audiobook ~9.5hrs
Just as amusing and charming as I have come to expect from this series. I love how all the characters (Henry and Castle included) so obviously care for each other, even if they will occasionally go to great lengths to hide it. The wedding was adorable, just as I thought it would be :-D
This marks the end of this series (at least as far as I can tell) - I'll have to check out some of Alice Winters' other books.
If I Never Met You - Mhairi McFarlane, 4.5/5, 432 pages
I liked the first book I read by Mhairi McFarlane - I LOVED this one. Even though it was a lot more predictable, I just have to admit that I'm a huge fan of the fake-dating trope. Especially when it is done as well as it was here.
My heart broke for Laurie during the setup of the plot, but I loved seeing her come into herself, and play to her strengths, instead of letting others play to her weaknesses. I was kinda worried how the main conflict would be brought about, but it was less contrived than I had feared, and more easily resolved, so that was a huge plus. I really, really, really appreciate that McFarlane doesn't allow her characters to wallow in angst for too long, but have them actually communicate! A+.
My one complaint was that I think the end came too quickly. Would have liked to see just a chapter or two of "what came next" - especially at work.
And again, I loved how the characters were written, and how McFarlane explored the various relationships - both familiar, friendly and romantic.
(Oh, and I LOVED Hattie! More of her, please :D)
Books read: 46
Pages read: 9,454
Really cute, funny and charming book! I read a large bit of it in the middle of the night while I couldn't sleep, and literally had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing out loud and waking up my husband.
Another faux-romance and totally predictable, but the characters were (mostly) so likeable and (with one notable exception) relatable, that it was a pleasure to read all the same, and I finished the book in no time. I loved Lucien's found family, and how he started to thrive, once he actually started to believe that he deserved it.
I would have preferred a bit more closure regarding Oliver's family, but that's a minor nitpick in an otherwise very satisfying read.
In the Shadow of Spindrift House - Mira Grant, 3/5, Audiobook ~4hrs
At only 4h15m it's a lot closer to a novella than a novel. Others have called it Lovecraftian in style, but since I've never read anything by him, I couldn't say :-PI liked it alright, but found it a lot bleaker than most of Mira Grant's other books - and that's saying something. The narrator (Jesse Vilinsky) was REALLY good though.
God, Where Are You? - John Bevere, 3/5, 159 pages
I bought this because I really enjoyed the YouVersion Bibel reading plan based on it. Unfortunately, the reading plan had all the best points, and I didn't really feel like it improved any from having those points elaborated on.
It was good - but never became personal. I never really connected to the teachings, which means that it'll unfortunately likely turn out to be very forgettable.
Her Second Chance Billionaire Sweetheart - Bree Livingston, 3/5, Audiobook ~6hrs
I loved the first book in this series, but while this second one was still cute, it didn't have that extra something (okay, okay - a cruise!) to make it stand above and beyond most other chick-lits, so I don't if I'll continue on with the third book in the series. The three books can be read independently of each other as there's very, very little overlap.
That said, it was still cute. I really liked both Grayson and Emma, and enjoyed Emma's sister being so very big-sisterly to both of them. I liked that the "mystery" of Grayson's leaving wasn't left a mystery to the reader for long, and that Grayson actually decided to confide in somebody... even if that 'somebody' wasn't the person it ought to have been. I also liked that Emma's father wasn't the villain he was made out to be, and ended up accepting Grayson for other reasons than just because he'd ended up making something out of himself.
As romances go, it's a dime a dozen, but it was still a good comfort read... even if it couldn't quite live up to the expectations set by the first one.
Over the Woodward Wall - A. Deborah Baker, 2.5/5, 204 pages
Unfortunately I wasn't too impressed. It was okay, but even though it had no proper resolution, I don't actually think I'll read more of this series. I can't put a finger on what was wrong with it, because it was well-written, and I liked the characters alright - it just wasn't for me.
In style, it was very "absurd fairytale" - reminiscent of "Alice in Wonderland" more than anything else. (Which also happens to be one of the few cases, where I like the movie better than the book).
Don't You Forget About Me - Mhairi McFarlane, 4/5, 433 pages
Very fun and satisfying read. Definite chick-lit, but with polished enough characters to not make it complete fluff. I loved seeing Georgina stand up for herself and grow a spine, and really enjoyed seeing how her relationship with her sister evolved.
The Flatshare - Beth O'Leary*, 5/5, Audiobook ~10hrs
Loved it just as much the second time around. Would have liked to see what happened to Justin (seems like he got off too easily), but that's a minor nitpick.
Blue Smoke - Nora Roberts*, 3.5/5, 440 pages
For the first 75% of the book, it was turning out to be a strong 4-star book. Everything as readable as Nora Roberts' other books and a true page-turner. I loved reading about Reena's work and her strong connections to her family - both blood and chosen.
But the last 25% got to be too much. It was too violent, it was too graphic, it was just too over the top. So that seriously detracted from my enjoyment of the end, and thus of the entire book.
The Hitman's Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot - Alice Winters, 4/5, Audiobook ~9.5hrs
Just as amusing and charming as I have come to expect from this series. I love how all the characters (Henry and Castle included) so obviously care for each other, even if they will occasionally go to great lengths to hide it. The wedding was adorable, just as I thought it would be :-D
This marks the end of this series (at least as far as I can tell) - I'll have to check out some of Alice Winters' other books.
If I Never Met You - Mhairi McFarlane, 4.5/5, 432 pages
I liked the first book I read by Mhairi McFarlane - I LOVED this one. Even though it was a lot more predictable, I just have to admit that I'm a huge fan of the fake-dating trope. Especially when it is done as well as it was here.
My heart broke for Laurie during the setup of the plot, but I loved seeing her come into herself, and play to her strengths, instead of letting others play to her weaknesses. I was kinda worried how the main conflict would be brought about, but it was less contrived than I had feared, and more easily resolved, so that was a huge plus. I really, really, really appreciate that McFarlane doesn't allow her characters to wallow in angst for too long, but have them actually communicate! A+.
My one complaint was that I think the end came too quickly. Would have liked to see just a chapter or two of "what came next" - especially at work.
And again, I loved how the characters were written, and how McFarlane explored the various relationships - both familiar, friendly and romantic.
(Oh, and I LOVED Hattie! More of her, please :D)
Books read: 46
Pages read: 9,454
