Karissa

Being a Vegas girl, VGK has made hockey a pretty popular and common topic in every day life. So color me happy when Chelsea Dolling's smutathon video introduced this book to me. The plot sounded absurd enough that I wanted to see where it went. And boy, it..... went.

There were some obvious flaws in the writing– the characters, even the two main characters, felt very.... flat and one dimensional. There were glimpses of depth to them, but not enough that I really became attached to them. You could have replaced Rory and Max's names with.. really anything else and it would not have affected the book at all, which is sad. The side characters, I felt, only existed as archetypes, stereotypes, and points to drive the absurd plot further. I'd say a good... 80% of the time, their actions were unbelievable, unrealistic, and, like I said, only there to propel Rory and Max to their ultimate finale. It also didn't help that everything, compared to the latter half of the book, felt slow in pace and then suddenly everything is a whirlwind of action and only to result in a dissatisfying ending. I like a sappy, happy ending as much as the next person, but for everything to go completely sideways and then be wrapped up in a neat little bow.... I don't know. It frustrated me.

Despite this, this book hovered around a 3/5 for me for a good 40-50% of the book just simply because it had sucked me in. There were glaring problems but I couldn't stop reading. But the last, I'd say 25-30% of the book pretty much ruined it for me and knocked it down. While there were unrealistic bits throughout the story, the latter half of the book cranked the surrealism all the way up to 11 and then broke the rating system. I would go into specifics because it would lead to spoilers for those who want to give this book a shot, but there are events that happen towards the end that just left me sitting there saying, “You really just threw everything at the wall to see what would stick, huh?” The latter half of the book was so incredibly frustrating and I actually vocalized my frustration, loudly, a lot, (much to the chagrin of my pets who just wanted to nap, haha).

The fact that I could not put the book down and it made me feel something at all is why it gets 2 stars, honestly.

I don't have words for this book. I took it up on a recommendation from some website for soccer related romances and I was skeptical but oh my god. I loved it. I laughed, I swooned, I groaned in frustration at the 3rd act. This book was exactly what I needed and scratched a very specific itch for me. Jake Weston... swoon... He makes me want my own small town bad boy.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Purchased :: Physical and Audio


Summary (spoiler free):

Gavin Scott, second baseman for the Nashville Legends, has had his world turned upside down. His wife, Thea, has been keeping a big secret from him. A pretty BIG secret: she's been faking it in bed. For three years. And, well, his reaction was less than stellar, putting a strain on their already tense and taunt relationship. When Thea asks for a divorce, Gavin is willing to do anything to change her mind and to save their marriage. Even if that something is joining a book club run by fellow Legends' players. A romance book club. When everything already seems to be going wrong, what could Gavin possibly have to lose?


My Thoughts:

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams is definitely a romp of a book. There were several moments in the book where I actually laughed out loud. Most of them involved Braden Mack. It's not often that you see romance books about a couple fighting to stay together. Divorce is typically a topic that most avoid, so it was refreshing to read something that showed the growing pains of a relationship, not just the lovey-dovey honeymoon stage. It was definitely a slow burn romance, but the book was actually pretty well paced. There were definitely some frustrating troupes present, namely miscommunication. Many of the issues that Thea and Gavin had were due to lack of communication, which at times made me want to shake both of them. But, that being said, I think that was done purposefully as each character grows as a communicator throughout the book. Doesn't make it any less frustrating at times to read, but definitely realistic and at least there was progression. Often times when miscommunication is used as a plot device, you don't see the characters become better communicators– not really anyhow. Instead, they somehow patch up the problem and move on. But this book really shows the work that goes into communicating with a partner and into a relationship, while being totally fun at the same time.

A lot can be said for this book. It reads like a novel as the story of Israel Keyes and his crimes unfold. I hadn't heard of Keyes before this book and now, having read it, I'm incredibly interested to see what the FBI is able to find out over time with what Keyes left them before committing suicide. If you're a fan of true crime, check out this one out.

This was an interesting read. I was not expecting the twist at the end. Oh my goodness. It was a really quick read and if I hadn't read it interrupted, it probably would've only taken me 5-6 hours? So if you're looking for something small to dive into, I'd definitely give this one a go. Some of the narrative was repetitive with certain background pieces being repeated over and over throughout the book (e.g. the MC mentioning how much she needs the money and how broke she is). Overall though, it was a good read and I'd recommend it to someone who likes mystery/thrillers with light suspense.

I will not be rating or reviewing this book at this time; I read the ARC/listened to the audiobook for the BN Book Club at a time when I was not in a reading mindset and my depression colored my feelings towards.. basically everything. So I'm not sure if I didn't like this book because of the book itself or if I didn't like it because of my mental health. So, if I ever get around to rereading/relistening to this book, I'll do a rate/review then.

I received this book as a digital arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this thinking that I was really going to love this book. It is told in pieces of mixed media (courtroom documents, video surveillance footage, a YouTube video, etc.) The concept seemed really cool and murder mystery-esque. And, let's not kid ourselves, the cover is great (the UK cover is GORGEOUS). But, I just.. didn't. I am glad that I read it and I don't think that it was a bad book, there were just parts that I was not about and did not feel like needed to be in the book (not giving away particulars but fair trigger warnings for self-harm, suicide, and rape). I also felt like it took too long to get to the climax of the story. I was 50-60% through with the e-book and still had no idea what was going on and just wanted to get to it already. It wasn't until I was about 70-80% through with the book that it really started to get moving and things started to make sense and fall into place. The ending was nice, but if you want to know what kept it from being a 4-star book for me, see below (beware of spoilers).

spoilers below; do not read below these lines if you do not want to see them

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There were many parts throughout the book that implied sexual assault on the girls, particularly Kaia. After said sexual assault, the girls' memories would be erased. It seemed like some of the other Fantasists knew what was going on, and even our main character eventually figured it out, but of course they couldn't say anything because who would believe them (much like present-day rape culture and how most victims are afraid to report because they feel no one will believe them or say that it is their fault). I can handle difficult topics in my books, generally, but what really bothered me was that there didn't seem to be one decent human staff member of The Kingdom aside from Owen. Investors were seeking the ‘company' of the girls at night, even just regular crew members would harass the girls or take them away to presumably have sex with them.

While I can understand why this was an element in the story (to highlight how people didn't view the Fantasists as beings but rather playthings that they could use however they saw fit, to show the depravity of the people who were supposed to be “greater than” because they are human, not machine, etc.), it was referenced SO much throughout the book with zero repercussions for the guilty. The only one who is implied to get in trouble is Mr. Casey but none of the other men were ever punished for what they did or even implied to be so. For me, that is what really soured this book for me (that and it taking way too long to climax and then resolve), especially since the author could have taken that out of the book entirely and based on the other interactions with staff, we still would have gotten the same message. The implied sexual assault was not necessary in this book whatsoever.

Easily this book is a 4.5 out of 5 for me. From the very first page, I was hooked. I read this book as an audiobook, which is narrated by the author himself. The performance was outstanding. It really was like reading a letter from a friend. It wasn't needlessly overcomplicated and THE PLOT TWISTS! I just.. wow. This book was great and I recommend it to everyone, especially to those who love a good character journey. It was like the Odyssey– but with the end of the world.. and dogs. ♥

I was sent this book in e-book format by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so real and powerful and important. Having known of Brittani since I was in middle school and following her channel off and on over that time, I always had the impression that she was this bubbly person with the perfect life. This book just goes to further prove that the front people put on is not always the same as to what is going on behind the scenes. Reading this book... felt like I was sitting in my living room with a friend as she caught me up with her life. I could not put it down; I started the book on the 28th of November, and I think I finished it on the 1st of December. I felt so.. connected to Brittani, especially during the first few chapters. It was.... refreshing and reassuring that I had someone to relate to in the dating world: someone who didn't really date, who'd never had sex, etc. It made me feel like less of a loser to know that someone else was also in the same boat. But then you get deeper into the book, deeper into her story, about what really happened with Milos and it's just awful the things that happened and I think that the narrative is so raw and honest and really.. I feel like everyone should read it.

I have been sitting with my thoughts on this one for a few days to decide how I wanted to rate it and I think I have to give it 5 stars. Every single story could have been its own separate book. I definitely will look for more John Marrs stuff in the future because The One was such a unique and interesting read.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are on opposite sides. They're on opposite sides of the city (North vs. South), opposite sides of a war (Harker vs. Flynn), and even opposite sides of humanity (Human vs. Monster). Kate wants her father's love– I mean his respect (side eyes); August wants it to be human. Somehow the two, as different as they could be are forced to work together and fight against the monsters, both real and human, for their survival.

This book was so... so... so good. I cannot say that enough. At first, I wasn't sure if I'd like it, thinking that it'd just be your typical hate to love, forbidden relationship type of YA book. BOY WAS I WRONG. It was so refreshing to read a YA novel that romance between the leads wasn't a thing at all. August and Kate hate each other– well... Kate hates August– and by the end of it, they are able to form a friendship. Take note other YA authors: boys and girls can be friends without romantic feelings being involved. AND THAT ENDING THOUGH. I can't wait to read the sequel and see how this series concludes.

Told in part in first person in the past and in third during 2008, The Island of Sea Women follows the stories of Mija and Youngsook as as their lives unfurl as hanyeo on the Korean island of Jeju. This book starts during the Japanese colonization of Korea and follows through World War II, the Korean War, up to 2008. This is a story about friendship, about family– both the ones we are born into and the ones that we create– tradition, one of love.. and of loss.

This book... I want to start off by saying that I was incredibly excited to read this book for the Barnes and Noble book club. I run it every month, so of course I was going to read it anyway, but I was really motivated to read it because of my own studies of Korea and Korean history. I felt like this book was well researched and definitely well written. There are moments where I laughed, and definitely quite a few where I cried. I made the mistake of reading one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the book while I was out in a public park on my vacation and oh how the tears wanted to flow. You don't have to have a knowledge of Korean history to read this book and to enjoy it. I think that the stories of Mija and Youngsook are so powerful and important on their own that anyone could read it and enjoy it.

If you choose to read only one historical fiction work this year, choose The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict. Prior to reading this book, I had no idea who Hedy Lamarr was and I'm ashamed of that fact after having finished it. She was a strong, powerful woman that does not nearly get the credit that she deserves. We hear of Marie Curie, Margaret Sanger, Susan B. Anthony, but quite rarely, if ever, do we hear of Hedy Lamarr and the amazing contribution she made that has led us to such luxuries as Bluetooth, GPS, and of course, Wi-Fi.

Edited 2/6/19 after revisiting the book: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I liked The Only Woman in the Room at first but the longer I sat with it... the more the ending bothered me. I really liked the beginning and thought that it was moving well and I was interested, but then... the latter half of the book seemed very rushed and Hedy's intelligence and her scientific knowledge seemed to come out of nowhere. She went from being a token in the room to suddenly knowing how to create a frequency jumping device for missiles. Honestly I would rather have had 50, even 75 more pages added to the book so that way more of that could be fleshed out. I also didn't like how Hedy seemed to just... give up at the end. She was such a spitfire woman with such fortitude and moxy and then the ending just seemed so.. uncharacteristic for her. To quote one of the ladies I discussed this book with, it seemed as if “the author did just what everyone else did to Hedy throughout her life: she dismissed her.”

Arlo Finch in the Lake of the Moon picks up after the events of the first book. The school year is coming to a close and the mystery surrounding Arlo Finch seems to be intensifying. When he and the Rangers go Camp Redfeather, Arlo finds himself not only in the middle of the mystical shenanigans that have followed him to camp, but between his two best friends as well. This book has all of the magic and mysticism that the first one does, but throws in time travel, time manipulation, and alternate realities as well.

Much like the first book, it took me a while to catch on to what was going on and I felt confused in places, but none of my confusion detracted from the story at all. I was just slow on the uptake and it just took me longer than some to catch on and figure it out than it might for others. Just like the first book as well, August balances the fantasy and magic with real life; these are kids– 12 year olds– and yes, they maybe more mature than other 12 year olds, but they still have 12 year old drama, like being in the middle of a fight between your two best friends. I love that the realism isn't thrown out the window and that despite the fantasy, we're still seeing Arlo, his friends, and his family dealing with real life issues along side the mystical.

I definitely recommend this series for fans of Harry Potter and especially as a series for those MG kiddos that loved the Harry Potter movies, but perhaps are not quite at that level yet to read the books. I know I get asked that question a lot at my job (‘Suzy loves fantasy and the Harry Potter movies but I think they're too hard. What do you recommend that is similar?') so I will definitely be adding this series to my list of recommendations.

I had no idea what Theranos was until my friend read this book, explained the horrible, absolutely effed nature of this company and its founder. This book was so well written. I listened to it as an audiobook and I felt that it was paced well and it covered a lot of information without feeling info-dumpy or heavy. I was frustrated at many points reading this book because so many people knew what was going on and just shrugged it off or remained silent because it was easier. All I have to say is that Elizabeth and Sonny deserve to be in jail and I truly hope they're convicted.

There is nothing more dangerous seventh grader June Harper's life than.... books. At least, that's what her parents and really almost every adult in Dogwood would have you believe. When her uber strict parents get the librarian suspended and the school makes sure all of the good– I mean “terrible,” books are removed from the library (e.g. The Lightning Thief, Goosebumps, Holes, The Crossover, etc.), June finds herself at a crossroads. Will she sit down and accept the restricted, vanilla life her parents and the school have forced upon her and her peers or will she be the hero that Dogwood Middle does not deserve, but desperately needs?

I describe this book as “Fahrenheit 451.. but for children.” I loved this book– not only do we see growth in June as a character in her relationships with her peers, but we also see her grow stronger in her convictions to stand up for what she believes in and stand up for herself, especially when the adults in her life, namely her parents, were being so absurd she might as well have called them Camus and Kierkegaard instead of Mom and Dad.

(..... get it? because... they were absurdists.)

There were parts of this book where my mouth literally fell open at how crazy her mom and dad were being (like when they were bad mouthing the teaching profession– ohhhhhhh not a thing someone with a BS in education wants to hear; I was shooting daggers at my car radio). But that's alright because the last conversation June has with her dad at the end of the book– that last line from her– tooootally made up for having to listen to her mom say that becoming a teacher was throwing your life away.