Wake Me Most Wickedly
by Felicia Grossman
I enjoy reading historical romances, but reading the same romance format gets boring after a while. So, I am always on the lookout for different historical romances (but do keep in context with the era the book is written in). So, when the Wake Me Most Wickedly widget slid into my inbox, I accepted immediately. Also, I had read the first book in the series and liked it.
Wake Me Most Wickedly is also a fairy tale retelling. I like reading fairy tale retelling and discovering how different authors interpret fairytales. Wake Me Most Wickedly is the retelling of Snow White. I admit I had an issue figuring out how Snow White fit into this. Thankfully, that only lasted for the first couple of chapters, and I enjoyed seeing how this retelling played out.
The main storyline of Wake Me Most Wickedly was your typical romance storyline. Hannah was an outcast in the Jewish community due to crimes that her parents and herself committed while running their pawnshop. Hannah spent two years in prison, and her parents were deported to a penal colony island (I figure it was either Australia or New Zealand). She continued running the pawn shop and took up a side gig of illegally hunting down things for her fence and clients. During one of those jobs, she saved Solomon from being attacked. Solomon, raised by his older brother after their father and his mother died, grew up very sheltered and had almost no worldly experience. Solomon soon becomes enamored with Hannah, much to her dismay. But even she can’t deny the scorching heat between them. When Solomon is injured after being chased by a group of men, Hannah investigates his accident. What she uncovers will rock Solomon’s world. Will her discovery mean the end of her relationship with Solomon?
The author graciously included content guidance at the beginning of the book. I love it when authors do that because I don’t have to take notes about content. At the end of the book (and she did this with the first book), she explains the history of the Jewish people in London’s East End and their treatment throughout the centuries.
I found Wake Me Most Wickedly’s storyline much darker than the first book. I wasn’t sure if I would like it (the first chapter has nonconsensual sexual contact). But, the deeper I got into the storyline, the more I understood why the author wrote this book the way she did. Not everything was sunshine and roses in Victorian London. For people experiencing poverty and those forced to live on the outskirts of their communities, life was awful. The author was correct in reflecting the tone of the book. It made the book much more interesting to read.
Hannah started the book off with me not liking her very much. She had a chip on her shoulder that came across in her words and actions. But, the more the author got into her backstory, the more I saw how those events shaped her into the woman she was in the book. I felt terrible for her because she honestly didn’t think she was attractive enough to a man to commit to and was focused on getting a dowry for Tamara. What got me onto Team Hannah was her fantastic character growth. By the end of the book, I was amazed by her strength and devotion to those she considered family and friends.
I liked Solomon, but he reminded me somewhat of a puppy. How? Well, he was hard to train (no matter what Hannah did to push him away, he still came back), he was loyal, even when the person he was faithful to didn’t deserve it, and he was fiercely protective of his family and friends. I was also on Team Solomon because he deserved to be seen for the man he was instead of the image that he put out for family and friends. The one thing that I didn’t like was that he had a prominent blind spot when it came to his brother. But I also understood. It made what Hannah told him so painful to hear.
The romance angle of Wake Me Most Wickedly was spicy. The author turned the heat up on the sex scenes, and they had me fanning myself. But the sex was only a part of the romance. Solomon and Hannah falling in love was sweet. While Solomon immediately knew that Hannah was the one for him, Hannah fought it tooth and nail. She used every excuse in the book (the age gap: her 32 to his 26), her past, that he was just infatuated with her, his brother, and the considerable class divide to try and drive him away. Thankfully, Solomon didn’t care and pursued her anyway.
A secondary storyline that cropped up around the middle of the book involved Solomon, his brother, and Hannah. I was absolutely disgusted by what Solomon’s brother did, but I like how Solomon’s friends rallied around him and turned it around. It was poetic justice how that storyline ended.
I loved how Wake Me Most Wickedly ended. It was your typical HEA. The epilogue, which takes place five years later, almost made me cry. It also made me wonder who the next book will be about. I have a feeling I know who, but I can’t wait to see if I am right.
Many thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever, NetGalley, and Felicia Grossman for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Wake Me Most Wickedly. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
Bright Dust
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.
I've been having a hard time with modern poetry these days these days and yet this worked for me. While the language is gentle and simple, there is still meaning in the way the words have been strung together.
Bless Your Heart
by Lindy Ryan
In a previous review, I mentioned that books containing vampires are some of my favorites. I also mentioned that I very rarely review them. That was until last week when I read two ARCs that included vampires and vampire hunters.
The cover and the blurb attracted me to Bless Your Heart. I was interested to see how a book about women funeral parlor owners and vampire hunters would read, if I could connect to any of the characters, and if the storyline was good. I am happy to report that it was a yes to all of those.
The main storyline of Bless Your Heart was interesting, and it kept me glued to the book. The storyline centers on the Evans women (Ducey, Lenore, Grace, and Luna), their family life, The God Awful Mess-which took place fifteen years earlier, and their history with vampire hunting. Bless Your Heart was a well-written and gut-wrenching book that had me up reading late.
The author did a fascinating job of telling the storyline. She chose a different family member/law enforcement/victim and had the chapter revolve around what they were feeling/doing. The chapters containing Ducey, Lenore, and Grace were self-explanatory (with the funeral parlor business and killing the vampires). Those chapters also gave insight into how The God Awful Incident affected each woman. Luna’s chapters were a little different. In the beginning, it showcased how she was an ordinary teen. But, once she learned about the family’s side gig (the vampire killing), her chapters got dark, fast. The law enforcement chapters showed the confusion and the different theories floated around. And lastly, the victim’s chapters were the most heartbreaking to read, mainly because the people who were killed and turned were doing nothing but going about their daily (or nightly) chores.
The Evans women were unlike any characters I have read. They each had their own personality, and the author allowed those personalities to shine. At the same time, I saw how dysfunctional they had become after The God Awful Incident. But even with that, I liked how they banded together to protect each other and Luna.
The horror angle was on point. There was a point where I started to dread when a new body was found. Each scene was worse than the last. I don’t get grossed out easily by stuff like that, but I got close in this book. Blood and gore spread across the pages; by the book’s end, it was one bloody scene after another.
The mystery angle of the book was good. I was taken by surprise by who the master vampire was and how Luna figured into it. While that was going on, The God Awful Incident was revealed, and it indeed was A God Awful Incident. It was the revelation that led to a shocking revelation about Luna. Both of those revelations took me by surprise. I did have the master vampire pegged on someone else and was happy that I was proven wrong.
The end of Bless Your Heart was heartbreaking. I’m not too fond of it when there are deaths involving main characters. But the ending scene gave a glimmer of hope. Because of what was shown, I am super curious to read book two.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Lindy Ryan for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Bless Your Heart. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
Bread Sex Trees
by Alix Klingenberg
Thank you NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for the chance to read and review this book.
That being said, Alix Klingenberg has serious potential. While the second half of the book veers towards more basic, standard, common everyone wants to be a poet and writes the same, the first half was actually pretty solid with pieces I loved. A good edit would have made this a 4 star or higher read. The author had a style that came through, while being simple, and yet not sounding like everyone else, and you also felt something while reading those poems.
Can't wait to check out her next book!
Duke Undone
by Jennifer Seasons
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.
Duke Undone is an average regency romance. It's not very memorable or special. The relationship that the main guy has at home is odd, and I can't imagine any valet making sausage jokes in front of a woman he has just met. The horses names were too ridiculous for words as well as how they were wearing knitted leg warmers. I know that Nora and her father seem to have a bad relationship or he's supposed to be the reason why her brothers don't want to come home, but also he seemed fairly reasonable given what the family was doing.
You Know What You Did
by K. T. Nguyen
The main storyline of You Know What You Did centers around Annie. Annie’s mother, a compulsive hoarder, was found dead by Annie. That death pushes Annie’s mental health to the limit. Annie suffers from contamination-based OCD, and she finds herself spiraling into routines that she hasn’t done in years. With her employer’s disappearance and the death of a man she barely knows pinned on her, Annie finds herself losing grip on reality. What is going on? Did the death of Annie’s mother set her off, or is there a more sinister reason? Can Annie figure out what is going on?
Annie had a time for it in the first half of the book. Her mother dies, and then she catches her best friend’s husband getting pleasured at the school carnival; the husband then starts sending threatening texts/pics to Annie. Tabby (her daughter) is awful and leaves for horse camp; her employer disappears, her dog dies, and Duncan leaves to cover a story in Syria. Her stress level was sky-high, and the pressure just kept mounting. I got stressed just reading about her predicaments.
Speaking of her relationships, I wasn’t a huge fan of Duncan or Tabby. Duncan came across as condescending or a jerk while he was with her. I could picture the tone he used with her; that imaginary tone made me grumpy (I don’t like condescending people). He also seemed to be undermining her parenting of Tabby. Everything she said or did that concerned Tabby was immediately challenged or changed by Duncan. As for Tabby, I understood she was a teenager and had that attitude, but she still aggravated me.
Annie’s relationship with her mother was also a massive part of the storyline. But, there was also a disconnect for me. I wanted to see more of her and Annie’s interactions when Annie was growing up. I wanted to know what caused such a massive rift between them. I also wanted to know more about her time in Vietnam. The author did go back to 1978 and explain a few things-like hoarding.
I liked Annie, but she was a very unreliable narrator. There were times during the book when I couldn’t figure out if what Annie was saying happened. She had vivid dreams about people that seemed to come true (which was freaky). Even her mother’s death was suspect in my eyes. Even after an explanation was given (and this goes with the twist I mention below), I still couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe she wasn’t all innocent.
The mystery angle of the book was terrific. I thought I had everything figured out, and then, bam, the author throws in a huge twist. This twist I did not see coming. All I could think was that that person had done an insane amount of planning to accomplish what they did.
I also like the book’s horror element. While it wasn’t subtle, it wasn’t in your face. Reading about Annie’s spiral into her OCD routines was both heartbreaking and frightening. But watching Annie’s mind become more and more fractured was truly horrifying. Lost hours and memories, on top of her OCD routines, set the tone for the last half of the book.
The end of You Know What You Did was terrific. I liked how the author revealed what was happening and who was behind it. As I said above, I was beyond shocked by who it was. The epilogue wrapped up the other storylines one year later, but I still couldn’t figure out what happened during the final fight in the carriage house. It was alluded to, but since Annie was so sick (mentally), I couldn’t tell if it was real. And folks, that is what made this book so good to read!
Many thanks to Penguin Group Dutton, Dutton, NetGalley, and K.T. Nguyen for allowing me to read and review this ARC of You Know What You Did. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
Sink or Swim! (Batcat Book #2)
by Meggie Ramm
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Batcat Sink or Swim is the second graphic novel featuring everyone's favorite BatCat hybrid by Meggie Ramm. Released 16th April 2024 by Abrams on their AbramsKids imprint, it's 96 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a delightful mystery adventure appropriate for all ages. When Batcat visits the Mermaid Lagoon, he finds the residents very upset. Their tails are losing their shiny rainbow colors and turning grey! They promise to give Batcat their world-famous fish tacos if he can get to the bottom of the mystery.
Batcat's adventures continue through an exciting and satisfying denouement.
The format is a modified 4 panel comic/graphic novel page setup with clear and *very* colorful and appealing art and easy to read dialogue bubbles. For such simple characters, the author/artist does an amazing job with expressive facial and body emotions.
Although it's the second book in a series, it works perfectly well as a standalone and doesn't need to be read in order.
Four and a half stars. Really wonderful. This would be a great choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, and gift giving.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods
by Molly X. Chang
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods has been on my wishlist since I saw it appear on several blogs last year. I love books that are based on Chinese mythology/culture. So, when I saw that Random House had it wish only, I decided to take the chance and wish for it. I was delighted when I got the email saying my wish had been granted. But I was also cautious because I have a habit of hyping books up and being disappointed when I read them. Happily, this wasn’t the case with To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods. I loved the book!!
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods is the first book in the series with the same name. Since this is the first book, you can read it as a standalone. But I will go on a limb and say that the rest of the series will not be standalone. There was so much world and character-building that it would be hard to jump right in if you started reading later in the series.
The main storyline of To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods centers around Ruying. It was well-crafted and well-written. Add in the more minor, secondary storylines (with Ruying’s family, Antony’s family, and the resistance), and I couldn’t put the book down. I devoured this book in one sitting.
Ruying was not a likable character when the book began. Was she sympathetic? Yes. But, likable, no. She hated the Romans with a passion. She witnessed her father and sister get addicted to a drug that they introduced to the population. She also chafed under the rules that they imposed. So, I wasn’t surprised when she did something stupid and got caught by the Romans. There was a change in her after the Romans caught her, which saddened me. But, again, I understood. Everything she did, she did to protect her grandmother and sister.
I did not like Antony. He used terror and psychological tactics to tear down Ruying and build her up to what he wanted. He was a master manipulator who said all the right things to Ruying to gain her trust and confidence. But I couldn’t help but pity Antony in a way. He, too, was shaped into what he was by a cruel adoptive grandfather and father. I wasn’t surprised when a huge secret of his was revealed. I did see it coming, but I wasn’t prepared for what it did to Ruying.
The magic in To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods was fascinating. People were either born with or without magic. But, since the Romans arrived and after they destroyed the temples (where people learned to control their magic), magic was disappearing. The author showcased different levels of magic, going from common to rare. Ruying’s magic fascinates me because of what is tied to it (every life she takes shaves years off her life). But I also wondered if that was true (something Antony said to Ruying made my antenna go up). I also wondered if her sister’s magic (life) would come into play later in the series.
The book had a romance angle, but it made me slightly sick to read. I understand that Ruying was developing something akin to Stockholm Syndrome, and her feelings came from that. But still. Her other romance choice, a childhood friend turned drug kingpin, wasn’t much better. But I would have chosen him over Antony.
The end of To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods only raised more questions than it answered. Nothing was resolved, but a lot was revealed. Given how the last chapter ende, I look forward to what will happen in book 2.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Del Rey, NetGalley, and Molly X. Chang for allowing me to read and review the ARC of To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
All the Dead Shall Weep
by Charlaine Harris
Book Summary:
Felicia has had a rough few years at her new school. So it was delightful news to hear that she would be reunited with her sister, Lizbeth Rose, if only for a time. Unfortunately, the Wizard's Ball is going to throw a bit of a wrench into their plans.
You'd think traveling to a different country would help Felicia get ahead of her reputation as a budding death wizard...but you'd be wrong. The risk of kidnappings (or worse) will surely continue wherever she travels.
My Review:
Oh no. All the Dead Shall Weep is not a book that lived up to my expectations. I love (loved?) the Gunnie Rose series. But this fifth installment just wasn't it. In truth, I took months (MONTHS!) to write this review because I just didn't want it to be true.
The biggest problem is that All the Dead Shall Weep felt rushed. Multiple conflicts occur between the main characters (Lizbeth/Felicia, Lizbeth/Eli, etc), but none feel thought out. They also didn't seem in keeping with the characters, I hate to say it. There's also a new character that is potentially problematic, but I'll let experts speak more on that one.
That said, I am happy that All the Dead Shall Weep moved the plot along. It may have done so more rapidly (in places) than I would have liked, but it got the job done. Now, I just have to decide whether to continue. (Sometimes, we all need breaks from beloved series, right?).
Highlights:
Urban Fantasy
Alternate History Fantasy
Western Fantasy
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Mislaid in Parts Half-Known
by Seanan McGuire
Book Summary:
Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children is a unique school. It's home to the children who have found doorways to other realms – and, for whatever reason, have made their way back to this world. Some are content with that reality...others less so. Those are the ones who hope to find their way back.
Enter Antsy. Her world was for lost things, so she has a gift for finding. She could have lived a perfectly happy life at this new school. Unfortunately, some students hope to use her ability to find their doors.
My Review:
I love how Wayward Children tends to play around with two timelines. Past adventures of individual students and current quests involving many of the students. It makes for a fun balance. Mislaid in Parts Half-Known is one of the latter, with Antsy questing with several of our favorites (yay!).
Antsy was first introduced in Lost in the Moment and Found, so read her solo novella first. It sets the foundation for this entire adventure. If you've read both novellas (or even one of the two), you probably already feel the urge to protect little Antsy (and probably all the other lost children).
As such, I enjoyed seeing an adventure with Antsy at the center. That she took several other longtime favorites on an adventure with her made it all the more delightful. The brief journey into Kade's world was shockingly insightful, and it gives me hope for the moment when we finally see that story in full (I know - we're waiting for the right moment/trust level).
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known is a brilliant addition to an already luminescent series. I cannot wait to see where it takes us next.
Highlights:
Magical Doors
World of Lost Things
Young Adult Fantasy
Hidden Doors & Mysterious Worlds
Epic Quests
Trigger Warnings:
Missing Children
Transphobia
Bullying
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Listen for the Lie
by Amy Tintera
Summary:
Years ago, Lucy lost her best friend. More accurately – her best friend was brutally murdered, while Lucy was found lost, alone, and covered in blood. She has no memory of that night. So, she can't really defend herself against all the people who believe she did it.
So Lucy just tried to move on and get away from her past. Naturally, her past wasn't content to let it all lie. Especially when a new podcast, Listen for the Lie, is doing to delve into this murder with the hopes of finally solving it.
Review:
Okay, it's official. I love the podcast/murder mystery trope, which is admittedly a bit funny since I don't listen to true crime podcasts. Apparently, I don't mind the concept as long as it's fully rooted in fiction. Anyway, Listen for the Lie was a blast to read.
Right off the bat, it's made clear that Lucy doesn't know whether or not she killed her best friend. So we don't know what the truth will reveal. Will it be her innocence? Or her condemnation? It's a different twist on the unreliable narrator.
Likewise, Listen for the Lie is split into two points of time: the present (obviously) and the past as Lucy remembers it. We can't entirely trust these memories since they resurface thanks to external stimuli, but that makes them all the more interesting.
Listen for the Lie is a solid read. I wouldn't mind seeing this turn into a series. Perhaps following Ben Owens on different seasons of his podcast?
Highlights:
Murder/Mystery
Podcast Elements
Hunting for the Truth
Loss of Memory
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Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead
by Jenny Hollander
Book Summary:
Nine years ago, Charlie Colbert experienced the biggest trauma of her life. The thing is, she doesn't remember any of it. However, the press has always been eager to hear her side of the story because she was a witness.
Despite this, Charlie worked hard to overcome and escape this tragic moment in her life. But as the ten-year mark approaches, history keeps creeping on her. Worse, it looks like a movie will be made about the horrible event, which will stir the press up all over again.
My Review:
I'll admit it – I picked up Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead because the title sounded SO compelling. I also loved the cover, so that was a nice bonus. That said, I must admit that I felt the title was a bit misleading.
For one thing, Charlie doesn't ever seem to actually be seeking forgiveness. Sure, she's torn up about not remembering and then torn up again when she remembers what happened, but does she seek forgiveness? Eh, no. Instead, she fears what the rest of the world will think.
So that was disappointing. The mystery was interesting, though I didn't like most of the surviving characters (Charlie included). I can't say more on that subject without spoiling a bit of the ending, so I'll move on.
Overall, I would have to say that Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead is a unique read. I don't regret reading it at all, but I do kind of wish that it had lived up to the premise the title promised.
Highlights:
Mystery/Thriller
Unreliable Narrator
Hidden Past
Dark Tragedy
Trigger Warnings:
Trauma
Press/Stalking
Major Tragedy
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