The.ReadingNook

Hmm this was a bingeable read but it really didn't sit well with me. Holders character exhibited so many red flags from the beginning and continually crept up as the story unfolded. Sky, having the reputation as a “slut” had to proclaim herself as not a slut. Over and over and over. It felt as though that derogatory word was used way too often - to the point where I was feeling slightly uncomfortable. The twist was great, yes, but DEF check out the trigger warnings!!! I was blindsided and wow it was dark. Still after all the dark traumatic events, Holder and Sky attempt to have sex? That seems like horrible timing and just insensitive. Also, Holder casually guns down Sky's biological father and it's written off as a suicide? I thought there were a lot of overshot details in this book, some insensitivity surrounding the material and trauma, and a whirlwind of a toxic romance.

This is the sequel to A Good Girls Guide to Murder and it did NOT disappoint. Book #1 was better. However, I loved that this story was a continuation of the story in the first book, but also had a new mystery to follow.  I loved being 
re-introduced to the characters. I also loved the level of suspense when it boiled down to solving this mystery. A classic case of “who done it?”

Hot damn this was a wild ride! There were a handful of characters - enough that it was a true whodunnit, but not too many where it was hard to keep track.  The plot & character development were both spot-on.  I loved the dual timelines (set 11 years ago, and present time) as well as the dual POV.  I was truly in the dark about this one until about page 275 - which I love in a twist!! It wasn't so predictable that I figured it out early on; but once the truth started to leak I knew who the culprit was.  It was definitely a fun, bumpy ride that kept me on the edge of my seat. Would 100% recommend! 

First off, I love John Green as an author. Looking for Alaska? The Fault in Our Stars? Sign me UP. I also love non-fiction so seeing that JG wrote a non-fiction, I jumped at the chance to pick this up.  Now I had ZERO idea what an Anthropocene is (it's the current geological age, btw) but I dove right in. I throughly enjoyed that this was a book of reviews (in essay form) on current inventions, phenomena, societal issues, etc. with actual ratings on a five-star scale.  These essays covered topics ranging from Air Conditioning to the Plague. I enjoyed that the essays included facts as well as personal anecdotes. I also personally love smaller chapters in books; it makes me feel as though I'm plowing through quicker 😬  Overall I give my first completed read of 2022 4⭐️!

Wow. 10/10 would recommend this if you want a true gut-wrenching cry. You know, that cry where you're sobbing and snot is coming out of your nose. This was - is - such a beautifully written book that explores the journey of grief. Josh is a new widower. His wife Lauren suffered from a terminal illness called IBF and at 27 years old, passes away.  Lauren left Josh letters: one for each month throughout the first year following her death. I love that the letters start with small, mundane tasks that those grieving typically find themselves neglecting to do, and gradually build into bigger, life-changing decisions.  
I loved that throughout the book, there's alternating POVs and timelines - Lauren's, leading up to her diagnosis & as she navigates the diagnosis/end of life, and Josh's, post-Lauren's death.  I also enjoyed that Lauren wrote letters regularly to her deceased father.  I lost my dad 8 years ago, and I journal letters to my dad here and there.  I've recently been struggling with grief surrounding the loss of my ex-boyfriend, the man who I deemed “The Love of My Life”; it's been 7 months since he's passed and I've been riding that roller coaster of the stages of grief since.  Grief is something I'm all too familiar with and related to in this book.
I felt a deep connection to this story and the characters: their thoughts, behaviors and actions.  I adored the character development and the chemistry between both Lauren & Josh. I loved the pleasant, happier, hopeful ending - the kind that really does satisfy the heart. 
This is only my third completed book of the year (I've been in a jumbo reading slump) but it's now also my first 5-star read of 2023 💙💚

Happy pub day to Wake up Grateful!

This year it has been a bit more difficult for me to find gratitude in every day life. As an effort to be more grateful, I started writing gratitude lists when I journal. When I came across Kristi Nelson's “Wake up Grateful” on NetGalley, I knew I had to pick it up! Now, my ARC is in the form of an audiobook; I listened to this while mindlessly cleaning, winding down for the night or while going on walks. Listening to personal stories as well as tips & tricks on how to retrain your mind to go from “pity part” to “thank you” was beneficial as I did these tasks, reminding me to ever be grateful for not just the bigger things, but the little things in life as well. I loved that Nelson targeted every last bit of being in this book - she even touched on the body and gratitude as a component to better health and overall sense of well-being. I do wish I picked up the eARC copy as well, as this to me is a book I would have taken notes in. Overall, this one gets 4/5 stars from me!

Thank you to the author, Storey Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #WakeUpGrateful

Pub Date: Dec 6, 2020

I don't quite know how I feel about this book, and usually that's not the best sign. This book follows Joe & Skye who are con artists. Their next victims are Maggie & Brad, who graciously (and crazily) invite the couple to stay in their vacation home with them. The synopsis points out that Maggie has a secret, one of which I was hoping would be much more sinister and dark than it actually was. The reader is also exposed to this secret veryyy early on in the book. It's one of those things where as a reader you're like, “wait, is this what the twist is?” After her secret is exposed, there's some slight action followed by about 100 pages of waiting for another twist or something gasp-worthy to occur. Then, the ending was a bit predictable (I definitely wasn't shocked); the epilogue exposes a secret of Skye's which to be honest was a bit predictable as well but I still wasn't expecting it (if that makes sense?). Overall, it didn't have me saying OH MY GOD at any point, although it wasn't incredibly boring either. With that, I give it 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me. Clare opens up about her very real struggle with OCD/ASD. I am intrigued by the topic of mental health and thought I could relate to the entries, as I too have similar struggles. However, the entries were serious ramblings and I felt that I couldn't connect with Clare based on the entries alone. I wish that more of her personal life was covered throughout the book so that the reader could relate more to Clare. Overall, the premise of the book was intriguing but lacked the personal details for me in order to fully complete.

This ARC was provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a light, 3-star read for me. It bothered me a lot that Annie prolonged tell Sam about her diagnosis and how she played the “hero” trying to take on her grim diagnosis without the support of her (very loving) husband. I did, however, enjoy how everything came full circle at the end and how Annie and Sam's journey played out. I did enjoy the addition of Ursula and her quirky “celebrity status,” as well as her cut-and-dry advice. This read was lighthearted and romantic. Minus Me releases 1.21.2021

Received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review from the author*

Armitage “Tidge” Black is the protagonist in this book - she's driven, stubborn, and more than anything - curious. She is driven more than anything by her curiosity even if it means putting her in precarious situations. She is headstrong and determined to get to the bottom of Elodia Knight and how she can manipulate others, and also how she can “get away with” her antics. Is Elodia truly a witch?

I like how this story weaves in aspects of fantasy and mystery with “real life.” For example, this strikes me as similar to a Stephen King concept because he mixes reality with fantasy/mystery a lot in his stories, rather than a full-on fantasy such as Harry Potter.

At first, I was skeptical about how much information was divulged straight from the start and whether or not it would hit a plateau for suspense, but that was not the case. The story had suspense throughout, along with other carefully crafted characters (I like to think of Angie as “the Voice of Reason”).

This book is the start of a series and I'm looking forward to seeing what trouble and excitement Tidge gets into next!

This was a sweet, romantic slow burn that made me yearn for the kind of love shared between Caleb and Claire. It honestly made me a bit jealous I haven't found my love quite yet. But, as Claire says - her journey to finding the right love was worth the wait. I enjoyed how this plot was relatable. It reminded me of the types of conversations I'd have with my friends, or the kind of scenarios that could happen in my life. Nothing seemed too far-fetched. The one thing I would say is that Claire's mom's relationship with Claire's psycho ex-boyfriend was a little much for me. I also found some of the language to be a little repetitive. Other than that, this was a sweet quick read - perfect for anyone who wants to satisfy their craving for some heartwarming young romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Teach Yourself for the advanced reader copy; all opinions are my own.

Out February 22, 2022

Finding your purpose in life, begs the question “who am I?” This can be explored in an infinite amount of ways. There were also multiple powerful quotes, such as: “We are way more powerful than we will ever give ourselves credit for”. However, there's not much substance to support these great quotes. I loved the concept, but it at times felt more like a resume and didn't seem to tackle anything with depth. I like the idea of exploring and finding your purpose, I just don't think this delivered on what my expectations were.

I was sent a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. All opinions are my own
I love love lovedd this book! I'm in my own 12-step program and boy it was cool to see the progression of someone as she got - and maintained - her sobriety utilizing the tools of a 12-step program. This book is so raw and the author is so incredibly vulnerable. It drew me in and kept my attention throughout. Roxie had to hit an emotional bottom before accepting complete defeat. I too, hit an emotional bottom before surrendering to my alcoholism. I also love how recovery is explained as mourning the loss of your old self as it “passes” and then discovering your new self. As Roxie continues with her sobriety, she is on a journey of self-love and self-discovery. It's quite admirable and the change you see in her from the beginning to end is just remarkable. I also must say I love Alice!! She sounds like a kick ass sponsor and definitely a positive role model for Roxie. Overall, I give this 5 stars! The first of the year ⭐️

Disclaimer: I was gifted an e-ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

TW: mentions Animal Abuse
Targeted audience: Middle Grade

I thought this was a light-hearted, fun read. We meet Chloe, who is an adventure-seeker at heart. Enter Koolara, the super cool superhero that, with Chloe's help, will capture the Devourer monster before it destroys the life in the ocean. Talk about girl power! I found this to be a fun, captivating read suitable for middle grade readers. My one wish for this book is that it were a little longer - I'd love to see more about Chloe and Koolara, as well as Dr. Wolf and his lab experimentations. Overall, if you're looking for a light, fun, quick read this will certainly fit the bill!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Go for my copy of this book!
Pub date: December 6, 2022

I was immediately intrigued by the title & description of this book, as a woman in sobriety. I've managed many times to find time in sobriety only then to relapse, not understanding underlying causes of my relapses. Soulbriety highlights Elisa (Lisa) Hallerman's profound thought on the fifth-year anniversary of her sobriety, as she recognized she was not feeling fulfilled as a sober woman. With sobriety and freedom from addiction, comes this idea that you will have peace of mind and clarity, yet she couldn't seem to pinpoint it. Soulbriety takes a deep dive into what Soulbriety means and how trauma, unaddressed and/or suppressed can lead to a dangerous path of addiction & mental illness: “They relapse because of what lies underneath the addiction. What I call the what and the why: what they are running from; why they are willing to destroy themselves. And the answer to the questions what and why, more often than not, is trauma.”

Coupled with her own anecdotes and stories, Hallerman leads a great discussion of such an important topic. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone struggling with addiction, or anyone who is living a life beyond their wildest dreams in sobriety.

#NetGalley #Soulbriety

I've struggled with the process of grieving the loss of my father & two grandmothers for years now. I've been reminded (through this book) that grieving isn't a one-size-fits-all, and that there is no “proper” way to grieve. Grief is something to work through and to embrace, not shun and try to suppress. There is no right or wrong way to experience grief. This book beautifully and in a well-organized way, discussed grief through a psychological as well as a spiritual approach. I enjoyed this book, as it gave me a different perspective on the grief that I am living with. I would 100% recommend this to anyone that is grieving, or is dealing with any sort of loss.

“It's only when you have the courage to step the (glass) ledge that you'll realize you had wings all along.”

This book was so lovely. It is such an important book to read, especially as a woman. This book explored topics such as Power, Competition, Balance, Confidence - and more! Oubou added in personal anecdotes of her own story and background, as well as incorporated stories from other strong women. This is an example of re-writing your story and success. I truly did enjoy this book and would recommend to any woman struggling with discovering her inner strength.

3.5 stars. This was definitely interesting! However, sometimes I feel as though Freida McFadden's books resemble past books I've read.  


For example, this one reminded me of a thriller I read years ago that I enjoyed,  in terms of the twist.  I did enjoy this one; it was bingeable, as all Freida books are (I read this in less than a day). I enjoyed the tension and the build-up to the twist but I ended up figuring it out. A liked it but I wanted more.

This was a lovely short story, centered around two people who essentially develop a Pen Pal relationship stemming from the affairs their spouses are having with one another.   Ken and Janet are having an affair, whilst David and Carrie develop their relationship through letters.  You can sense the pain between both David and Carrie through their letters, and start to feel connected with them both.  I think TJR did a great job with character development, being it is a short story.  I would recommend this to anyone who wants a quick read based off of a real-life scenario. 

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my copy of this book!

This is an enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romance. It's also a reality TV show romance, in case that too piques your interest. Now this was a fairly fun read, however, it wasn't my favorite romance I've read. I found it a little painful at times to read (I really wasn't a fan of Easton from the beginning). The first impression I got from Easton judging the women of the competition based on appearance, was a bit off-putting and clung to me throughout the book. There were some times that I wanted to DNF this, but I persevered until the end.

Overall, I gave this 3 stars.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #SecondSky for the copy of this book! Rylan Flynn sees ghosts. Not a psychic, she just as the gift of seeing ghosts as they present themselves to her. When a ghost in the woods of her aunt Val's property lures her into the woods, Rylan stumbles upon the body of the ghost, stuck to a tree. Turns out the victim is Celeste Monroe of Toledo, and she came to Rylan for help. A murder investigation ensues, and Rylan can't seem to steer clear of law enforcement. When another young girl is found murdered in the same location, Rylan turns to her gift to steer her in the direction that the officers and detectives cannot see.

I rated this 3 stars based off of the quick pace, lack of plot development - this had the potential to really build over the course of the book and it missed the mark. It was a very quick read, most likely because the plot failed to develop to its full extent. The character development was lacking as well. I feel as though there was so much opportunity and it failed to execute. I also feel like there wasn't a thrilling plot. I was expecting more paranormal interaction, as well as more juicy details in the murder investigation. I also felt as though it was a predictable ending. The twist didn't WOW me as much as I had hoped.

Awesome read! I thought the author did a great job at tackling some sensitive, yet important topics that pertain to self-love growth: boundaries, grief, emotional abuse, trauma, heartbreak, relationships...plus more. What I loved is that the author used personal stories and anecdotes to drive the messages home. It felt relatable in so many ways, and surely helped me recognize and identify a few things in myself.

This middle grade book is a quick read, but despite its length, also packs a punch! This book is the perfect example of not judging someone based on looks, and that nice guys don't always finish last. Our FMC, Melanie is kind of shallow and judgy when it comes to finding her “dream date”. As the story progresses, the judgment and shallowness lessens after a dream date goes wrong. I will say, Melanie was not my favorite character; I enjoyed her friend Violet most. It's cool because this book just doesn't cover Melanie's quest for a dream date; there's superheroes and a shift in perspective on how she views prospective dates. Overall, this was an easy read that kept me interested.